You’ve
all seen supernatural forces terrorise families in countless horror films down
the years but never quite like this. Iranian-born Babak Anvari uses the
backdrop of the 1980’s Iran/Iraq war to create a nerve-jangling, suffocating
atmosphere of political instability and terrifying apparitions.
Under the Shadow follows the story of Shideh (Narges Rashidi),
a dejected house wife who can no longer continue at medical school due to her
involvement with leftist groups during the Islamic revolution. Her husband Iraj
(Bobby Naderi), who is allowed to be a doctor, is called to the centre of the
conflict leaving Shideh and their daughter Dorsa (Avin Manshadi) alone in their
increasingly unsafe Tehran apartment. When an unexploded missile hits their
apartment building a troubling, malevolent djinn (evil spirits that travel on
the wind) begins to victimise Shideh and Dorsa.
Although the basic premise may lead
audiences to draw comparisons with 2014 critical hit The Babadook,
Anvari’s directional début is dealing with far more than just parental anxiety.
In one scene Shideh flees from the demonic djinn haunting her apartment only to
be detained for not wearing a heard-scarf while outdoors. Shideh finds herself
trapped between the supernatural entity haunting her apartment and the
oppressive politics of war-torn Iran. These cultural pressures complete an
all-encompassing sense of dread throughout the film – there’s simply no escape
for Shiedh and her daughter. Consequently Shideh’s feelings of isolation,
marginalisation and helplessness take on an even greater potency. Maternal
indifference
As well as working on this overtly
political level Under the Shadow also functions as an
affecting family drama. Rashidi steals the show; her subtle expressions and
body language deftly capture Shideh’s escalating sense of impotency, entrapment
and maternal angst. Manshadi puts in a naturalistic performance beyond her
years and as a result her mother-daughter dynamic with Rashidi is utterly
believable and engaging. Anvari’s sharp direction of the day-to-day life of the
apartment building and the constant threats they face also helps bring these
characters vividly to life. Likewise, the spot on set design, particularly Rashidi’s
apartment with its honey coloured tiles and pale green fridge-freezer, adds an
authenticity which heightens the unnerving impact of the paranormal forces at
play.
Although Under the Shadow relies
heavily on mood, with few overt scares, the whole film is so meticulously
constructed that you’re on edge even before anything creepy actually shows up.
The superb sound design is partly to praise for creating such an atmosphere,
using the sound of breathing to chilling effect and making the sprinkling of jump
scares some of the most frightening you’ll see all year.
Under
the Shadow effectively uses historical
context and cultural issues to draw nuance and complexity from the horror
genre, while acting as an impressive calling card for Anvari.
SCREENPLAY: BABAK ANVARI / STARRING: NARGES RASHIDI, AVIN MANSHADI, BOBBY
NADERI / RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 30TH
Expected Rating: 5 out of 10
Actual Rating:
