‘Your darkest desires will consume you.’
The Radleys is a 2024 dark comedy horror film about a seemingly ordinary family who are blood-abstaining vampires.
The movie was directed by Euros Lyn (Dream Horse; The Library Suicides; Diwrnod Hollol Mindblowing Heddiw; Doctor Who episodes) from a screenplay written by Talitha Stevenson and developed by Jo Brand. It was adapted from the novel of the same name written by Matt Haig. The movie was produced by Debbie Gray.
The Genesius Pictures-Ginger Biscuit Entertainment co-production stars Damian Lewis, Kelly Macdonald, Shaun Parkes, Harry Baxendale, Bo Bragason and Sophia Di Martino
Plot:
The Radleys are a seemingly ordinary family with a dark secret: they are vampires. However, they’re abstaining vampires. They choose not to drink blood despite their natural cravings, but their truth is revealed one day. The shocking revelation encourages lovesick son Rowan and previously vegan Clara to question their own identity and suppressed desires. Peter’s twin brother Will arrives (Damian Lewis in a dual role).
A proud, practising vampire who openly embraces his hedonistic, bloodthirsty lifestyle, Will forces the family to face their repressed urges even more intensely. Can the family continue to hold back their hidden bloodlust, or will they give in to their true nature?
Reviews:
“All in all, The Radleys is one of those rare cases where all the disciplines that make a film come together in total unison and deliver an amazing story. The acting is fantastic, the soundtrack and cinematography accompany the emotional charge of each moment perfectly, and the story is fun but also full of interesting topics.” Cut to the Take
“The Radleys is definitely worthy of praise for its actors, the character writing in the stronger scenes and the charmingly low-budget approach to telling a vampire story but it gets bogged down by pulling in too many different directions instead of recognising its strengths and making proper use of them.” ★★★ Kneel Before Blog
“The Radleys is a funny, charming and wry take on the vampiric genre that does get a little bogged down with narrative weight but is never not enjoyable as a result. It offers a fresh take on the teenage- and midlife- experience through a decidedly blood-soaked lens, and is propped up with steady direction, a sharp – if somewhat bloated – script, and a terrific cast.” ★★★½ Loud and Clear
Trailer:
Release date:
The Radleys premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Film Festival. Sky Cinema will release the movie in UK cinemas on October 18, 2024.
Lionsgate will release The Radleys theatrically, on digital and on VOD in the United States on October 4, 2024.
