EAT LOCALS

released 1 sePTeMBer 2017 | 15 | VOd (iTunes and sky store) with dVd to follow

Director Jason Flemyng Cast Charlie Cox, Freema agyeman, eve Myles, Mackenzie Crook

The base under siege is a tried and true horror movie formula. A group of characters, trapped in an isolated environment, facing off against impossible odds? It’s an irresistible premise – and also, crucially, cheap to pull off.

This UK horror-comedy, directed by Lock Stock actor Jason Flemyng, puts a fun twist on the proceedings. But this time it’s the monsters who are in trouble...

Sebastian (Billy Cook) is lured by Vanessa (Eve Myles) to a house in the country. He thinks he’s going to get lucky – instead, he gets confronted by a gang of vampires who are looking to forcibly create a new recruit. Little does he know that the squad of soldiers approaching (not to mention the other human prisoners) may well be much worse…

The vamps are a who’s who of UK telly thesps, including a notable contingent of former Doctor Who actors. Some, like Tony Curran’s Peter, are utterly ruthless, whereas Charlie Cox’s Henry is far more humane. There’s fun to be had with Annette Crosbie’s machinegun-wielding old age predator, but most of the jokes come from Sebastian – a shame, as his wideboy bants usually fall flat.

Still, this is a slick, likeable and – considering the high body count – oddly genial film that occasionally raises a proper laugh. Will Salmon