Lahooti's film is a whirlwind, in a good way. From the second the movie starts, we're thrust into a world of violence and chaos as protagonist, Dougie's (Ryan Corr), attempt at blackmailing his own business partners goes awry. Forced to work off his debts at NewHaven, a privately-owned detainment camp for refugees, Dougie soon discovers the company's implementation of a secret punitive system in which internees are forced to cage fight-a perverse tactic to maintain order within the camp. Having an intimate knowledge of the dark net, Dougie capitalizes on the fights by broadcasting the matches to anonymous gamblers. MEG1583, aka Azad (Phoenix Raei) quickly becomes Dougie's star fighter. However, as a bond develops with Azad and his younger sister, Zahra (Lauren Campbell), Dougie is forced to come to terms with deep-rooted cultural injustices plaguing the camp.
The movie, with its vibrant color palette mingled with great storytelling and absolutely superlative acting, takes you on a frenzied ride. Corr gives a completely effervescent, often manic performance, which creates such delirium you can't help but fall into his madness. Anthony LaPaglia as Terry, Dougie's surrogate father of sorts and head of the detention center, with thick Scottish accent and sobering stares, serves as a misguided yet scrupulous magnate of perceived law and order in a deeply corrupt system. LaPaglia exudes such obstinacy through body language alone, it's hard not to feel as if you, personally, aren't being chastised by him through the screen. The entire cast, Morgana O'Reilly, Zenia Starr, Alison Whyte, Robert Rabiah, every actor committing wholly to their role with such passion and sincerity, it's hard not to fall in love. "Below" is a complete surprise of a film and worth several viewings. Highly recommend.
