Tumbbad (2018)

As a unique historical fantasy film coming out of India, ‘Tumbbad’ is a triumph for the filmmakers and a high-point for Hindi horror cinema.

• Jake Watt

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A very atypical Hindi film in that it is both a fantasy and a horror. It is a well-told fable about greed. Totally worth the watch!

'Tumbbad' is very good folk horror fare. It's a movie that feels unusual for what Bollywood tends to offer, at least the sorta films that I've checked out from this part of the world. Aside from the evidently irremovable music interlude, it felt different - a good different.

I would say that the story gets a bit underwhelming across the middle portion, though the opening chunk and final moments are impressive - both featuring young actors, in my opinion this flick is at its strongest with Dhundiraj Jogalekar and Mohammad Samad (plus Jyoti Malshe, Rudra Soni) onscreen.

The special effects for when the characters are involved with Hastar aren't the greatest, but the film undoubtedly makes it work and it still adds the required creepiness. The practical effects for the 'old woman' are excellent though, very unnerving.

Story-wise it is sturdy, it's fairly straightforward in terms of the message of greed but it works and is portrayed nicely. As noted, if not for a meandering middle I'd be rating this higher. All the same, it's a suitably entertaining movie and one that's worthy of recommendation.