Eat Locals

Eat Locals is a British comedy-horror film directed by Jason Flemyng in 2017. It features an alluring combination of humor and horror, entrenched in parochial England. This movie offers an unexpected fusion of vampire-themed horror and dark British comedy, merging the genres to deliver a delightful old-school horror romp.

The diverse ensemble cast features many well-known British actors, including Freema Agyeman, Adrian Bower, and Roman Clark. Agyeman, best known for her roles in Doctor Who and Law and Order: UK, gives a gripping performance and demonstrates her versatility as an actress in the horror genre. Bower, familiar to audiences from his role in Teachers, also showcases his adept ability to bridge comedy and horror. Not to be overshadowed, newcomer Roman Clark provides a fresh and energetic presence that brings an offbeat charm to the movie.

Eat Locals takes place over a single night in the bucolic, serene English countryside. The setting lures audiences into a false sense of comfort, only to startle them with its underlying vampiric happenings. As night falls, a group of centuries-old vampires convenes in a remote farmhouse for their once-in-a-decade meeting. Their gathering is interrupted by a sudden intrusion by a group of Special Forces vampire killers who have been tracking them down.

The film introduces the viewer to a secretive vampire society which has its own hierarchy, traditions, and even constitution. The vampires' ordinary nature and their endeavours to keep up with the modern world, despite their antique roots, is a clever trait that adds hilarity to the plot.

Freema Agyeman plays a hell-for-leather vampire-hunter from the British army. She leads a paramilitary team that’s been tipped off about the vampires' meeting and goes about assessing her adversaries in her own tactical style. However, things aren't as simple as they seem as the movie takes intriguing turns.

Adrian Bower impresses with his representation of a vampire adjusting to the 21st century, showcasing his comedic timing and talent. Roman Clark plays an unsuspecting human guest at the vampire meeting who stumbles into this bizarre world. His character provides plenty of hilarious moments as he becomes the focal point of the conversation about the future sustainability of their bloodthirsty lifestyle.

Directed by Jason Flemyng, known for his roles in Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, makes his directorial debut with Eat Locals. He achieves a peculiar balance between horror and comedy, blending elements of gore, suspense, laughs, and an array of uniquely charismatic characters.

Flemyng structures the narrative as a dark morality tale about the dangers of consumer culture, but he also delivers sufficient helpings of over-the-top action and sharp-tongued dialogue to keep viewers entertained. The film uses its budget wisely, with several smartly executed action scenes and spectacular visual effects. Overall, he serves up a strangely compelling mixture of humor, action and horror intermingled with quintessential British undertones.

The screenplay written by Danny King explores a compelling narrative that is as much about the supernatural as it is about the human condition. The nuanced screenplay keeps audiences on their toes, unveiling unexpected turns and hidden layers to the characters and their storylines. The concept of beings surviving through many eras and adapting to the changing times provides the movie with a rich, layered narrative that delves into themes of immortality, adaptability, and societal evolution.

The film's cinematography beautifully captures the countryside terrain and the unique action sequences, bringing out the difference between the serene setting and the chaotic unfolding of events.

Eat Locals, with its unusual blend of old-school horror, British humor, peculiar characters, and a well-executed plotline, offers a distinctive cinematic experience. It's a must-watch for folks who like a sprinkle of comedy in their cup of horror, and a movie that promises an entertaining ride peppered with delectable British wit. It reimagines the vampire genre in an interesting light and serves as a testament to the boundless potential of independent film making.