One of the most anticipated horror films of the year, The Lair (starring Neil Marshall), will be released in North America via AMC Networks and its horror-focused streaming service Shudder on October 5, 2018. RLJE Films will distribute The Descent 2 later this year in cinemas, on digital and VOD platforms, and on Shudder in early 2023, according to Deadline, which was first reported on the news. However, RLJE Films will handle the North American release of the picture, while Shudder will acquire the rights for the UK and Ireland as well as Australia and New Zealand markets.
Capt. Kate Sinclair (Charlotte Kirk) is a Royal Air Force pilot shot down over Afghanistan in the film. While stranded in an old abandoned bunker, she unwittingly unleashes a group of creatures known as the Ravagers, a mixture of human and extraterrestrial bioweapons. Jonathan Howard and Jamie Bamber also appear in the film as supporting actors. The Lair will premiere at FrightFest next month, ahead of its theatrical release in October. In his future film, Marshall stated: “A full-blooded action horror picture has been a long time coming for me, and this one has a lot in common with “The Descent” and “Dog Soldiers,” two of my favourite films of all time.
A short and limited indie film intended to be shot during lockdown has evolved into a lot more action-packed and monster-fueled sci-fi thriller than I had originally planned. It’s jam-packed with interesting people, jump scares, comedy, and, of course, grisly deaths. Having a good time is the most important thing I want spectators to take away from this film. They won’t be dissatisfied, I believe.” Deadline talked with representatives from both RLJE Films and Highland Film Group about The Lair in conjunction with the acquisition announcement. After helming the scariest horror picture of the decade with The Descent, Neil Marshall is back with another harrowing journey beneath,” RLJE Films’ Chief Acquisitions Officer, Mark Ward, stated. Neil Marshall’s mastery of horror is demonstrated once more in The Lair.
Delphine Perrier, the COO of Highland Film Group, remarked about the company’s delight in the RLJE Films purchase. “For The Lair’s release, we’re happy to have the RLJE Films and Shudder teams on board to help. As a distributor for this picture in the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, they are a perfect fit. The Lair is a thrilling spectacle that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats thanks to its horrifying animals and explosive thrills.” Besides Kirk, Howard and Bamber, the cast of The Lair includes Mark Arends, Hadi Khanjanpour Tanji Kibong Leon Ockenden Mark Strepan Alex Morgan Sarah Lambie Kibong Tanji and Troy Alexander.
Co-writer and executive producer Kirk and Marshall also acted as executive producers together with Samantha Allwinton, Reinhard Beser, Phil Rymer, Joe Simpson and Simon Williams on the picture. Daniel-Konrad Cooper serves as the project’s producer, with Kwesi Dickson, Jonathan Halperyn, and Daniel Kresmery acting as co-producers. Rather Good Films Ltd. is in charge of the project’s production. A combination of Ashland Hill Media Finance, Ingenious, and Trigger Films is providing financial support for the film. It is being sold internationally by the Highland Film Group. In cinemas and on digital and video-on-demand, The Lair will be released on October 28; Shudder plans to broadcast the picture early next year.