The Lair – TADFF

October 19 to October 23, 2022

Film Info

Content Advisory: Excessive or gratuitous violence

---

A Royal Air Force pilot is shot down over Afghanistan and encounters a secret Soviet bunker containing monstrous creatures in The Lair. Lt. Kate Sinclair (Charlotte Kirk) is shot down by insurgents flying over Afghanistan. Sinclair flees from the insurgents into an abandoned bunker but soon finds monstrous beings in status who awaken during the melee. Sinclair is soon rescued by a squad of American soldiers led by Maj. Finch (Jamie Bamber) and his second-in-command Sgt. Hook (Jonathan Howard). However, after the creatures attack the soldiers’ base at night, the survivors travel to the bunker to stop them.

The Lair is a sci-fi/horror action film co-written and directed by Neil Marshall (The Descent) and starring Marshall’s co-writer and partner Charlotte Kirk (The Reckoning) in the lead role of Royal Air Force Lt. Kate Sinclair. Sinclair is joined in her fight against human-alien hybrids, created in the secret Soviet bunker, by a ragtag group of soldiers that include Lafayette(Tanji Kibong), Wilks (Mark Strepan), Hughes (Harry Taurasi), and the scene-stealing vengeful Afghan Kabir (Hadi Khanjanpour).

While an original script written by Neil Marshall and Charlotte Kirk, the plot of The Lair and the creatures’ look seems quite reminiscent of survivor horror videogames, such as DOOM and Resident Evil. While the creature effects and Neil Marshall’s trademark ultra-violent gore are exceptionally well-executed, The Lair is greatly marred by poorly-written dialogue that makes the film feel little more than a B-movie. However, the viewing experience of The Lair is greatly improved watching with a crowd, with the supporting character of Kabir, and his trusty machete, sure to come away as a fan favourite.

Trailer for The Lair – TADFF