Returning to horror movies feels great. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love awards season. It’s a time when I get to witness the pinnacle of excellence across various categories and genres, contributing to a more well-rounded perspective as a critic. However, once the votes are cast and the dust begins to settle, there’s a yearning to go back to my cinematic roots. It’s like the perfect prescription for the withdrawals I’ve been experiencing.
Neon Films recently unveiled It Lives Inside, directed by Bishal Dutta. The story revolves around Sam (Megan Suri), an Indian-American high schooler striving to assimilate into American culture. In her pursuit, she unintentionally alienates her mother, Poorna (Neeru Bajwa), and her former best friend, Tamira (Mohana Krishnan). Despite the strain on these relationships, Sam finds solace in new connections that foster a growing sense of entitlement.
A mysterious turn of events unfolds when Tamira begins carrying a peculiar jar. Expressing her belief that it houses an evil entity; she inadvertently releases a demon called a Pishach when Sam dismisses it as mere superstition. The malevolent creature takes Tamira hostage, feeding off her negative energy. Now, armed with knowledge only Sam, Poorna and teacher Joyce (Betty Gabriel) possess, they must find a way to save Tamira and themselves from an imminent threat of death.
It Lives Inside kicks off with a promising premise, particularly the suggestion that Tamira, feeling spurned by her former best friend, may have summoned the entity for some purpose. The intriguing questions arise: Was it called forth to seek revenge on Sam, or did Tamira conjure it as a coping mechanism for her loss? Did Tamira comprehend the malevolence of the monster and bind it to the jar? Moreover, the origin of Tamira’s possession of the jar sparks curiosity.
These potential story arcs could have added depth and complexity to the narrative. Unfortunately, the film falls short of exploring any of these intriguing angles, opting to copy other movies like It Follows instead. While the Pishach is touched upon briefly, there’s a notable lack of in-depth exploration. This missed opportunity turns It Lives Inside into a run-of-the-mill creepy movie, rather than allowing it to evolve into a fully fleshed-out horror film.
While not achieving greatness as a horror film, It Lives Inside stands out for being a well-executed Hindu suspense film, a rarity for broad American audiences. The fact that it serves as the debut project for Dutta adds an extra layer of impressiveness. With just a few adjustments, this movie could easily position itself as one of the standout entries in the genre. The ending sets the stage for a potential sequel, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a more comprehensive follow-up emerges soon, potentially surpassing the original.
It Lives Inside receives two out of five stars. The narrative unfolds at a slow and ponderous pace, resulting in a lengthy viewing experience. Despite having considerable potential, the film opts for a straightforward, in-your-face monster movie approach, neglecting potential storylines and ultimately succumbing to a sense of unoriginality and tedium.
The future will reveal whether Bishal Dutta, the director, can leverage this criticism to enhance his directing skills in upcoming projects. Neon took a risk by entrusting this endeavor to an unknown Hindu director, recognizing his potential. While Dutta might become a director worthy of glowing reviews in the future, It Lives Inside falls short of that mark.