by Martin Unsworth
Growing up with a conflict of cultural identity, Samidha (Megan Suri) is trying to fit in at school. She’s drifted away from her once-close friend, another Indian-American girl, Tamira (Mohana Krishnan), who’s taken to behaving very oddly and carrying an old, dirty Mason jar. At home, Samidha’s mother wants her to adhere to her Indian heritage, but despite trying to please her, the teen is struggling with tradition. Her teacher, Joyce (Betty Gabriel), notices she’s having a few issues and offers to help, but even more troubling is Tamira, who claims to have a demon trapped in her ever-present jar.
Bishal Dutta, director and co-writer (alongside Ashish Mehta), weaves Hindi culture with familiar American horror movie tropes, presenting the characters with broad strokes while allowing them to remain grounded and relatable. Themes of integration, depression, and teenage angst are laid on particularly heavy but handled well and fittingly. It’s incredibly refreshing to see a different demonic entity represented rather than the ones usually attributed to Christian beliefs, and Dutta should be applauded for not bowing to convention and Hollywood. Mainstream horror fans will find plenty to enjoy here, with the requisite jump scares and impressive set pieces.
The social commentary and Hindu representation and lore keep It Lives Inside from becoming just another teen horror film and deserves a wider audience.
It Lives Inside had its european premiere at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest on August 25th and will be in UK Cinemas from September 22nd.
