The Radleys // De Euros Lyn. With Kelly Macdonald, Damian Lewis and Bo Bragason.
The cinema is full of vampire films, ranging from terrifying to comical. Unfortunately, The Radleys fails to fall into any of these categories successfully. While the idea of a family of vampires who forgo drinking blood seemed to offer a new perspective, the end result fell far short of expectations. The film fails on almost every level, leaving viewers frustrated, even annoyed. From the outset, it is obvious that the major problem of The Radleys does not lie in its casting, but in the way in which the actors are directed and the characters are written. Damian Lewis, although a talented actor, is completely underused here. He plays Will, a pseudo-hippie vampire who sorely lacks depth and charisma. His role, which could have brought a little eccentricity or dynamism to the story, turns out to be a pale caricature that never really works.
The Radley family seems the most ordinary. But parents Peter and Helen are hiding a secret from their children, Rowan and Clara. They are teetotal vampires, who choose not to drink blood despite their natural urges, making them more and more bloodthirsty every day. Soon, Peter’s twin brother Will, a practicing vampire, returns to the family’s life.
Kelly Macdonald, on the other hand, manages to do well in the role of Helen Radley. She aptly embodies this mother who fights against her vampiric nature. Likewise, Bo Bragason, in the role of Clara, shows some potential. However, even their performances aren’t enough to save the film from a lazy script and shaky direction. It is also regrettable to see a generally talented cast being relegated to simple silhouettes without any real personality. Only Helen and Clara manage to exist, while the other characters blend into the background, without ever really captivating. One of the main problems of The Radleys lies in its storyline. The film attempts to tell the story of a family of vampires who, by moral choice, refuse to drink human blood. An intriguing starting point which could have offered an interesting reflection on self-control and the fight against one’s instincts. Unfortunately, this plot never really takes off.
The film seems more like a series of scenes with no real connection, where practically nothing happens. Characters often just stare into space or remain motionless, giving the impression that time is stretching out unnecessarily. Each scene drags on, without providing tension, development or even humor. This lack of rhythm makes for tedious viewing, as if we were watching the members of an ordinary family spend equally ordinary days, without ever bothering to create any real interest. The rare attempts to arouse a little emotion or thrill fall flat. The moment when the parents discover their reality in the forest, which could have been a key moment, is spoiled by a clichéd and predictable staging. We sense that the film is trying to border on horror, but it never quite succeeds, remaining stuck in dull neutrality.
When a film is presented as a vampire comedy, we expect to laugh or, at the very least, be amused. Unfortunately, The Radleys also fails on this front. At no time do the jokes or situations manage to make you smile. The film seems to hesitate between two genres, without ever really choosing: should it be a dark family drama, or a light satire of the vampire myth? This confusion of tone leaves the viewer disoriented and frustrated, never knowing which foot to dance on. This lack of clarity as to the identity of the film is amplified by bland production and unoriginal artistic direction. The settings and the atmosphere are hopelessly banal, and we sometimes have the impression of watching a second-rate TV movie, without soul or real artistic vision. While the film drags on for most of its running time, its climax is disarmingly simple. Everything is so predictable and poorly orchestrated that it’s difficult to feel any tension.
The lack of suspense or real stakes makes the conclusion particularly unsatisfying. The spectator, already little involved in the story, is even less affected by this rushed and unoriginal ending. At the end of the day, The Radleys is a disappointment all round. What could have been a biting satire of the vampire myth becomes a long series of poorly exploited clichés. The few moments that try to be different are drowned out by bland production and a lifeless storyline. The film is sorely lacking in creativity, humor and energy. It is regrettable to see a promising cast, notably Damian Lewis, wasted by such a poorly put together project. Fans of vampire films looking for thrills or laughs will find little satisfaction here. The Radleys is the perfect example of a film that should have remained in the shadows. We can only hope that Damian Lewis and the other members of the cast will quickly find projects that match their talent.
Note : 2/10. In short, a failed attempt at vampire comedy that sorely lacks bite.
Coming soon in France
