Review: SATURDAY NIGHT is a Fun Dive Into The Chaos of SNL's Debut

As someone who grew up loving Saturday Night Live through its golden years, watching Saturday Night was like stepping back into a time capsule of raw, untamed comedy.

For those who remember when SNL was in its prime—full of edgy, no-holds-barred humor that pushed boundaries, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic for what the show once was.

I was a huge fan of SNL through the early 2000s, but as time went on, the show just seemed to lose its magic. These days, I’ll pop in for an episode here and there, but it doesn’t have that same energy or brilliance it used to. Watching Saturday Night reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place.

This movie perfectly captures the chaotic energy of the 90 minutes leading up to the very first episode of SNL, and what a chaotic ride it is. From the moment the film starts, it’s non-stop action and tension, showing just how close the show came to never airing at all.

It’s billed as a thriller-comedy, and I couldn’t agree more. The film is a rollercoaster of emotions—one moment you’re laughing at the absurd situations these comedians and writers find themselves in, and the next you’re holding your breath, wondering how they’re going to pull this off in time.

Dan Aykroyd himself said the film is “pretty accurate,” and you can feel the authenticity in every scene. The film’s creators, Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, went above and beyond to ensure this wasn’t just a glamorized Hollywood version of history.

They interviewed every living cast member, writer, and crew from that first night, and their efforts paid off. You can see the rawness in the film and the kind of frantic, unfiltered creative process that shaped those early episodes of SNL.

Gabriel LaBelle’s portrayal of Lorne Michaels is a standout. He brings a certain gravity to the role while still maintaining the dry humor and almost maniacal dedication that you’d expect from the man who was about to change television forever.

The rest of the cast does a fantastic job as well, particularly Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Matt Wood as John Belushi, Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris, Kim Matula as Jane Curtin, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, and more.

You feel like you’re watching these iconic comedians in their early days, trying to figure out what SNL would become while the clock is ticking down.

The film takes place in real-time, counting down to that first-ever “Live from New York…” moment. It’s a clever approach, and it puts you in the situation with the cast and crew, feeling every bit of their panic, excitement, and exhaustion.

By the end, you’re as relieved as they must’ve been when they finally got the show on air. Watching this film, it’s clear what a miracle it was that SNL didn’t completely crash and burn on its first night. The stakes were ridiculously high, and Saturday Night doesn’t shy away from showing just how precarious the whole situation was.

What I love most about this movie is how it captures the heart of what made SNL so special in those early days with the unfiltered creativity. Back then, there was no real formula, no safety net. The comedy was dangerous and exciting because it was coming from a place of pure passion and a little bit of madness. The film reflects that beautifully.

For anyone who’s a fan of SNL’s early years, Saturday Night is a must-watch. It’s not just a film about the beginning of a comedy institution, it’s a reminder of the power of taking risks, of throwing caution to the wind, and of creating something entirely new.

Watching it made me wish we could get back to that same sense of unpredictability in comedy. Maybe we can’t recreate those early years, but Saturday Night sure makes you feel like you’re there, right in the middle of it, watching history unfold.

Saturday Night is a wild, hilarious, and intense celebration of the creative chaos that launched a cultural phenomenon. It’s an inside look at the genius and madness that gave birth to one of the most influential comedy shows of all time.

If you ever wondered what those 90 minutes leading up to the first SNL broadcast were really like, this film makes you feel every bit of it.