Don't be fooled by the stuffy period setting, this is a gripping Irish thriller.
An orphaned 19th-century teen does battle with her scheming uncle as director, Lisa Mulcahy and screenwriter, Elisabeth Gooch pull Irish gothic writer, Sheridan Le Fanu out from the shadow of Bram Stoker.
Based on Le Fanu’s 1864 novel, Uncle Silas, Lies We Tell introduces us to Maud (Agnes O’Casey), dressed in a black gown, grieving after the recent death of her father who has left her everything in his vast estate - including the large and echoic Knowl Mansion.
However, despite appearing fully capable, Maud is still a minor and therefore her father’s will has stipulated that his brother, Maud’s Uncle Silas (David Wilmot) shall be her guardian until she comes of age. Despite her uncle’s shadowy, and possibly murderous past, and the fact that she barely knows him, Maud turns down the opportunity to overturn the will and honours her father’s wishes, welcoming Silas to her home.
A decision she’ll soon regret.
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One of the many inspired changes to the original story is that instead of Maud moving in with her estranged Uncle as requested in her father’s will, Uncle Silas moves into Maud’s home.
Already creating an intrusive element, the film plays like a slow-moving home invasion horror story as Silas makes himself comfortable, bringing with him his shiftless son, Edward (Young Offender Chris Walley), flighty daughter, Emily (Holly Sturton) and a mysterious French Governness (Grainne Keenan).
It's soon clear that Uncle Silas isn’t content to ever let this new lifestyle go. He hatches a series of devious and rancorous plans to take control, no matter what it takes.
It may take some time to settle into this world of aristocratic reservedness and flowery language, but once you do, it’s a rewarding experience. The two leads sell the dialogue beautifully. Maud emits intense contempt as she spits many righteously furious words at her hateful uncle as he sneeringly spits his two-faced disingenuous words right back. This is a showcase of some truly fantastic acting from Agnes O'Casey and David Wilmot and thankfully Mulcahy’s confident direction is content to stand back and let them play.
A thoroughly compelling and beautifully performed thriller that’s not afraid to have fun with the odd twist or two.
