Language : Malayalam.
Director : Rahul Sadasivan.
Writers : Rahul Sadasivan, Sreekumar Shreyas.
Cast : Revathi, Shane Nigam, Athira Patel.
Genre : Thriller.
Streaming on SonyLIV.
Bhoothakalam (2022) has successfully injected some much-needed freshness into the particular genre of horror. It is free from jumpscares and similar types of tropes that are usually seen in such movies. All the effects are created using just sound and light. Unlike the usual slow burns that get extinguished swiftly towards the end, Bhoothakalam neither fizzles out nor spreads like a wildfire but keeps us burning from the start to the end with the same level of flame. Better not to expect a bone-chilling out and out horror film featuring ghosts and spirits nevertheless it provides an eerie experience that could potentially trouble the sleep if viewed at night.
It would be an injustice to not mention Revathy and Shane Nigam. They effortlessly carried their frightening experience to the audience. Definitely their best performances in a long time.
Another suggestion apart from the film of course is to go in blindly without watching the trailer as the film perfectly builds up tension and timely reveals everything.
Verdict – 5/7 stars
Excellent.
