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Parents' Guide to

Lair

By Alistair Lawrence, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Low-budget British horror has violence, language, trauma.

Movie NR 2021 96 minutes
Lair Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

LAIR follows the aftermath of a grisly double murder, in which Steven Caramore (Corey Johnson) sets about proving the innocence of his friend who has been convicted of the crime. Steven begins to spy on the new family that moves into the apartment where the murders took place, convinced that there are evil supernatural forces at play.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Essentially two gruesome set pieces with a lot of filler in-between them. Lair struggles to establish itself owing to a script that feels rushed and hastily moved from the U.S. to the U.K., with its British characters inexplicably speaking in American English. Veteran supporting player Johnson provides the movie's only memorable performance. As Steven, his bursts of angry energy and comic timing squeezes the most out of dialogue that carries a lot of exposition and manufactures endless, unconvincing conflict between characters that have no discernible depth. With the rest of the cast lacking the ability to sell such poorly written material, it's hard to care what anyone else is doing, or why.

The family at the center of the movie don't ever go anywhere nor do anything interesting. Meanwhile, the setup of Steven observing them through the walls without their knowledge is wasted. There is no invention here, no new ideas, just a long wait for a dimly lit slasher finale and an ending that adds nothing to what has gone before. In other words, it's not worth laying in wait for.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence in Lair. Did the blood and gore seem over the top? Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?

  • Was the movie scary? Did you recognize any themes that you've seen in other horror movies What's the appeal of scary movies?

  • Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?

  • What were Steven's motivations? Did you find him a relatable and believable character?

Movie Details

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