In "The Dead Seek Revenge," director Vikram Kumar, renowned for his award-winning short film "Silent Scream," attempts to break away from the typical Bollywood horror clichés. While the film partially succeeds, it introduces a fresh medium of horror through television, reminiscent of the classic "The Ring."
"The Dead Seek Revenge," directed by Vikram Kumar, is a two-and-a-half-hour horror film that attempts to break away from traditional Bollywood horror clichés. Instead of relying on abandoned bungalows or eerie characters, the movie uses television as the medium of horror transmission. Despite its efforts, the film only partially succeeds in delivering a unique horror experience. The story revolves around a family that moves into a new apartment, only to experience strange and bizarre events that mirror a television soap opera. The film features a strong performance by R. Madhavan but falls short in some areas, making it a not-so-horrifying horror flick.
The story begins with a family of eight moving into a luxurious new apartment, purchased by the two brothers through a 20-year loan. The excitement soon turns to dread as the younger brother, played by R. Madhavan, notices strange occurrences in the apartment. From spoiled milk to nails that refuse to be hammered in, these bizarre events mirror scenes from a new television soap opera that the women in the family avidly watch. However, only Madhavan seems to notice the eerie similarities.
Realizing that leaving the apartment would be a financial disaster, Madhavan decides to stay quiet about the strange happenings. Instead, he seeks the help of his police officer friend to unravel the mystery. Madhavan's performance is commendable, and he is well-supported by Neetu Chandra, who plays his innocent wife. The entire cast delivers solid performances, but the film's burden largely falls on Madhavan's shoulders.
"13B" bravely attempts to modernize Bollywood horror by shedding traditional elements like blood-curdling screams, isolated mansions, and chanting mantras. Instead, it uses technology as the medium of horror, bringing the genre into the 21st century. The film's title, "13B," sticks to the accepted number of weird and evil happenings, adding an extra layer of intrigue.
Despite the crew's best efforts, some scenes come off as more humorous than scary. For instance, Madhavan and his police officer friend calling the women to find out what happens in the soap opera is more laughable than terrifying. The plot's predictability is another drawback, preventing "13B" from reaching the top tier of horror films.
With a few chills and some twists, "13B" manages to be included in the horror genre, albeit as a not-so-horrifying horror flick. The film's attempt to modernize Bollywood horror is commendable, but it falls short in delivering a truly unique and terrifying experience.
"The Dead Seek Revenge" is a bold attempt to modernize Bollywood horror by using television as the medium of terror. While it partially succeeds, the film's predictability and occasional humor prevent it from being a top-tier horror flick. Nevertheless, it offers a fresh take on the genre and is worth a watch for its unique approach.
By incorporating modern elements and shedding traditional clichés, "The Dead Seek Revenge" brings a fresh perspective to Bollywood horror. However, its predictability and occasional humor prevent it from being a truly terrifying experience.
