Isha Malayalam Movie

Feature Film | 2020 | UA | Horror, Thriller
Critics:
'Isha' is an attempt to redefine the horror genre with the introduction of a new theory. It has familiar content even as it has relevance in today's society. The screenplay is panting for more creative interventions to keep you at the edge of the seat.
Mar 1, 2020 By K. R. Rejeesh


Going by the yardsticks of horror flicks, 'Isha' follows their footsteps precisely. Director Jos Thomas, who breaks his silence after a sabbatical, has attempted to give a different appearance to the ghostly apparition that is meant to spook you. Unfortunately, his script is pretty close to the banks of horror cum vengeance formula with a predictable ending. With hardly any established actors, the director is able to give the required momentum to the tale. The usual ghostly figure gets a revamp in this horror flick. Yet low intense scary sequences and dried up substance make it an ordinary creation.


'Isha' opens with the mysterious death of 14-year-old girl Isha (Isha Anil) in a hill station. The focus then shifts to the little girl Angel (Baby Avani), who lives with her mother Susan and grandparents. Susan had married Martin (Abhishek Vinod), a widower, out of sympathy. Martin's daughter from the first marriage, Aleena (Margaret Antony) is studying in the city. Meanwhile, Susan got a divorce from Martin as she finds him a womanizer and drunkard. Angel is Martin's daughter in the second marriage with Susan but the girl lives happily with her mother.


Once Angel starts to behave in a bizarre manner as if she were under the influence of a spirit. Her family seeks ways to exorcise the spirit from her body. Imthiaaz Munavar (Kishore Sathya), a practitioner of paranormal activity, arrives at Angel's house and he realizes the presence of a spirit there. Munavar finds that Isha's body was found abandoned near that house and the girl's spirit has come back to avenge the people behind her murder. Somehow, he manages to bring Angel back to normal life.


At hostel, Aleena experiences bad dreams at night and the girl was sent back to her father Martin by the hostel matron. But we see Aleena is also possessed by the spirit. Martin becomes upset by the odd behavior of Aleena. He contacts his friend DYSP Yogesh Gopal (VK Baiju) for advice. But Aleena was beyond their control.


Aswin Johnson's background score is fine for the scenes with scary elements. Among the performers, Abhishek is the pick of the lot as he shows impeccable justice to the character that is wayward and morally incorrect. Some theories related to the paranormal activity are referred in 'Isha' but they are vague and ineffective in the narration. This area could have been conceived well to make the film more riveting and refreshing.


The prominence of Kishore comes towards the end but he could not establish the character convincingly by himself. Notwithstanding her inexperience in the filmdom, Margaret shows great confidence in portraying the pivotal role with apt expressions.


'Isha' is an attempt to redefine the horror genre with the introduction of a new theory. It has familiar content even as it has relevance in today's society. The screenplay is panting for more creative interventions to keep you at the edge of the seat.

K. R. Rejeesh

   

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