The debut feature of Indian director Bishal Dutta is an odd affair. Essentially an extended metaphorical journey of a character rediscovering her identity and reconciling both aspects of her culture together, as Samidha (or "Sam" as she insists on being called) is asked to say things in "Hindu" for her friend's amusement, skips out on culutural ceremonies and fesitvals her family have participated in for years, and is asked if she is friends with Inesh because they're both Indian. It's a refreshing thing to see in a horror film, and somethine relatively new (I highly recommend "War Pony" on a similar theme this year).
So far so good. It even comes together in a celebration of Indian culture, pays off the little hints throughout, and wraps up nicely.
It has Betty Gabriel in it too, always welcome after her string of horror movies ("The Purge: Election Year", "Get Out" and "Upgrade" being the good ones, among many many more), and I liked the performances of Bajwa and Suri.
Again, alright.
All it needs now is to be scary and we have a winner!
Ah well, better luck next time.
Yeah, despite a strong central theme, the film doesn't remember to do what horror movies need to do: create atmosphere and dread, or spring good scares on the audience. It feels like it is in a rush to get to the monster, and otherwise falls into a staid conga-line of things we've seen before. There's a good attempt with a swing, and a nice use of eyes and the colour orange, but maybe I've been spoiled by other better horror movies: it's just never scary.
Still, I am intrigued to see the next efforts of its director.
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