Skip to content

UNDER THE SHADOW

Written By:

Kieron Moore
Under the Shadow

UNDER THE SHADOW / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR & SCREENPLAY: BABAK ANVARI / STARRING: NARGES RASHIDI, AVIN MANSHADI / RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 10TH

Released to cinemas in 2016, to great critical acclaim but not the wider appreciation it deserved, Babak Anvari’s debut feature Under the Shadow receives its first UK Blu-ray release, courtesy of distributor Second Sight.

Set in war-torn Tehran, 1988, the movie begins as more social realist drama than horror. Narges Rashidi plays Shideh, an aspiring doctor barred from medical school for her previous political activism. When her husband is conscripted into military service, Shideh is left to look after their daughter, Dorsa. Unusual events start happening, and not just the Iraqi missile that smashes through the apartment block’s roof. Dorsa, unnerved by tales of Djinn spirits and visited by a mysterious woman, becomes increasingly erratic and uncontrollable. Shideh decides to flee the city, as all their neighbours have done, but Dorsa’s favourite doll goes missing, and the girl refuses to leave until it is found, leaving the two alone in the building, facing increasingly bizarre hauntings.

As it goes on, then, it’s an effective poltergeist thriller, with the Djinn serving the ghostly role (they’re the spirits from Islamic lore from which the term genie is derived, though the version you’ve seen in pantomimes has had some of the edges softened). It’s expertly directed – especially for a first feature – to gradually build tension; the jump scares always feel earned, coming alongside shocking visuals and unnerving writing that evokes the horror of David Lynch.

Inviting comparisons to The Babadook, the theme of motherhood is central; the scariest aspect of the movie is the idea that the Djinn could turn Dorsa against her mother, and this is carried by an excellent performance from Rashidi, tragically conveying how Shideh’s love for her daughter is in conflict with her rising frustration at her circumstances. The impressive young Avin Manshadi makes Dorsa petulant and difficult to love, but that’s kind of the point. All this is exacerbated by the genuine, real-life horror of the setting; we’re told the Djinn prey on places full of fear and anxiety, and the war-torn city, drawn from Anvari’s own childhood in Tehran, is certainly that.

This limited edition comes packed with extras, including Anvari’s short film Two & Two, a dark satire that translates an idea from Nineteen Eighty-Four into an Iranian schoolroom. There are four newly recorded, in-depth interviews, including Anvari explaining the background behind the movie and the struggles of making it; for example, he couldn’t film in Tehran as the actress would have to wear a hijab whenever on camera, so ended up in Jordan instead. If you want to hear more from him, there’s also a commentary track. The disc, limited to 2000 copies, comes in a slipcase with gorgeous new artwork, also containing a book featuring concept art and new essays, along with a poster – a comprehensive packaging of this powerful film.

Kieron Moore

You May Also Like...

First-Look Images and Sizzle Reel for Disturbing Shocker CARA

You can now get your first look at the upcoming disturbing kitchen sink horror film CARA, directed by Hayden Hewitt (Lips) and starring Ellie O’Hara, Johnny Vivash, Laurence R. Harvey,
Read More
chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More