“SATURDAY NIGHT” depicts the 90 minutes before the first ever episode of “Saturday Night Live,” commonly referred to as “SNL,” which premiered on Oct. 11, 1975. It reveals the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by the cast and crew that have remained largely unknown to the public –– until now.

 The film’s pacing, set design and casting relay the sensation of “a night in New York City” — as said by Lorne Michaels, the Showrunner and Creator of SNL, portrayed in “SATURDAY NIGHT” by Gabriel LaBelle. The cast is packed with big hitters and each performer captures their counterpart with immense accuracy, in terms of both physical resemblance and minute mannerisms. It’s hard to pick out performances that stand out above others, but among the top performances are Cory Michael Smith, Lamorne Morris and Ella Hunt. The similarities between Smith and Chevy Chase, who went on to iconize ‘weekend update,’ were uncanny, down to his voice, tone, the way he walked and his uniquely egotistical attitude. Hunt as Gilda Radner, who helped to form the comedy and tone SNL itself with her quirks, pulled on my heartstrings with her love for nostalgia and kid-sister-ness. Morris as Garrett Morris, another original cast member,(no relation) could’ve fooled me with the identical singing voice and mannerisms. It was as if the modern cast was possessed by the very icons who revolutionized American television. 

The film’s fast pacing and scene splicing in moments of tension brought a shared anxiety to the theater. Near the end of the movie, I felt like I WAS Michaels – unsure if the show would go on. LaBelle (Michaels) centers the movie, which is not an easy feat considering the chaos in every scene and performance. 

Watching “SATURDAY NIGHT,” I found myself transported to Oct 11, 1975 in New York City, begging Belushi to sign his contract, breaking up fights, putting out fires, worrying about my impact on a new television show and trying to create a home for lost, disregarded comedians and personalities alike. This movie at its core feels incredibly authentic to “Saturday Night Live.” Some jokes fall flat and some hit you right in the stomach with giggles –– similar to the current state of the show, at least according to its younger audience. If anything, “SATURDAY NIGHT” strives to bring modern relevance to SNL and remind folks at home of its original intention – a group of people brought together to make an audience laugh.

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Ivy Buck, Norah Catlin

For a blood-chilling vampiric look, call out to some iconic blood-suckers, such as Lestat de Lioncourt from “Interview With a Vampire” (1994). He’s adorned with delectable 18th-century flair, and with the rising popularity in the new, and objectively better, TV show adaptation, you’re sure to be recognized with Lioncourts’ stark blonde locks. Pirouette your way to the Munger Mash, and pull motivation from the soon-to-be cult classic, “Abigail” (2024). The main character (and an absolute diva might I add) is dressed in classic ballerina attire paired with the classic tutu, tights and, of course, fangs. 

Katherine Newton, on a streak of starring in campy horror-esque films of 2024, took on the role of Lisa in “Lisa Frankenstein”. Throughout the 101 minutes, Lisa appears in a multitude of flashy outfits appropriate to the films 1980s setting. Thrift an all-black dress with lace, tease your hair into a Chappell Roan lion mane, add a red lip, large black hat and an ax, and you’ve completed the look of Ms. Frankenstein herself. 

Into the 80s black dress you’ve thrifted but you don’t identify as a redhead and don’t wanna buy a wig or dye your hair? No worries! For blondes, channel your inner Sabrina Carpenter with a fresh blow-out and curtain bangs, suddenly you’re Madeline Ashton from Death Becomes Her, 1992. For brunettes, connect the present with the past, the retro with the modern, pull out the hairspray and gel, clump those bangs and magically morph into the recognizable Lydia Deetz, from “Beetlejuice” (1988) and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024). 

If you’re still at a loss, go for an easy, funny and timeless look, such as Cher from “Clueless” (1995) which really only calls for plaid and a blowout. If you’ve still got some cowboy attire after last-years Western Barbie and Ken wave you can transform into Western McFly from “Back to The Future III” which released in 1990 and is totally not a Billy the Kid rip off, in fact he’s mentioned in admiration! The possibilities are at your fingertips brought to you from the silver-screen, endless inspirations begging to be borrowed and referenced after sitting aimlessly on the shelves of the Criterion Collection, all you’ve gotta do is open up your Letterboxd. 

Contact the editors responsible for this story: Norah Catlin, Anabelle Meyers