Not to take away from the pretty good atmosphere building that they have achieved (and some of the best crafted jump scares in an Indian context), the core problem for me here is how the narrative chooses to bring about Swapna’s development.
For one, in order to build sympathy for Amrutha’s character (the one who serves as establishment for the killer’s prowess and machinations), they put her through so much torture (Thrice she has to recover from cancer, only to be decapitated and burnt by the killer), that it no longer creates empathy for her, but simply makes her an object of pity. They seem to be sold on this idea that putting her through statistically unrealistic levels of harm would earn our sympathies; but it simply makes it manipulative.
Swapna, it is first hinted, has been sexually assaulted. Then, it is revealed that she had been raped almost a year ago. Then the video of it has spread across the town. So when the killer(s) attack her in this video game-ish universe (which I appreciate, as it keeps the horror from taking literal manifestations and keeps the killer’s motives valid but elusive), she announces the realisation that she needs to fight back (and avenge Swapna too). She announces that she has been given another chance, because ‘she didn’t fight back the last time’ she was attacked, and now she has has the chance to make it right.
The problem here is the writer’s decisions to mouth forward the argument that her physical resistance would have been the correct response in the situation of her assault, and at least there would have been ‘honour’ in the resistance; honour above survival itself! That resistance during an assault would be the honourable thing to do, is a thought arising from a certain way of thinking, and a certain understanding of trauma.
To not resist in the moment in order to ensure one’s own survival and live ahead to see the next sunrise (and maybe return to respond with means and support), is an equally valid and rational response. Since the filmmakers chose to make this the point of her evolution, it is where I feel there is a difference between what the character would say and what the filmmakers put into their mouths in contradiction. To chose to live is itself is a decision of dignity.
The atmosphere is there. The jump scares are there. And they are working. (The film ends quite abruptly – even a brief scene of recovery and peace after the entire ordeal would have given us a sense of her having a life beyond events of the night.)
A little more thought and thoughtfulness for the character would have made this a greater ride.
hungryrj 