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Tumbbad
Critic reviews and ratings
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...opens the gate for true blue Indian horrors, stories with Indian ethos and folklore dipped in haunting resonance of fear within and outside with a humanitarian message.
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...is nothing like you've seen before in Hindi cinema
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...is a moody and atmospheric film. Some viewers may find the film a little too deep and disturbing, but fans of Hollywood horror films will be reminded of memorable movies in the genre like Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and Eraserhead (1977). This one is genuinely scary.
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The writing is practically flawless, the music is haunting and the performances jaw-dropping good. Brilliant watch.
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This film is miles above the average Indian fantasy-horror film in terms of both sophistication and vision.
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...is eerie, imaginatively designed, stunningly filmed and well directed.
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An issue with Indian horrors has been lack of imagination. A treasure chest that offers a gateway into a goddess’ womb, a cursed undead whose heart beats even while the body has disintegrated and several such constructs cover this concern. Writers Mitesh Shah, Adesh Prasad, Anand Gandhi and Rahi Anil Barve (also the director), deserve due credit.
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...is the personal exploration of one man’s demons and the inevitability of him living with them forever no matter what he achieves. Rigorously detailed as a period film, Tumbbad has resonance with class structures that exist today.
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...is a gorgeous looking, intriguing morality tale which both entrances and repulses: it’s not something I will forget.
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Above everything else this is a wildly original film with a look and feel that is of the highest standard. The middle portion is long drawn and flabby, and there were times I found myself scratching my head unable to keep up. But these are minor grumblings.
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...is a game changer not only for the horror genre but for Hindi cinema overall. Watch the film for its unique concept, spooky visuals and some superb acting.
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The joy of watching Tumbbad comes from the fact that Barve and his co-writers offer no answers, making this a delightfully intriguing film.
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...an artsy, gutsy mix of mythology, history, horror, and moral science. Do these elements seamlessly add up for you to naturally feel for the characters in the story? Honestly, no. Does the incredibly strong visual craftsmanship (rare for an Indian indie) satisfyingly guide you into a world hitherto unseen/unknown? Oh, absolutely.
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A meaty story and a gory film which deviates from the typical possessed body horror storyline. Chills the spine as a horror film about supernatural phenomenon should even though I am not convinced horror films should be made at all.
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Barve is a director with vision and a voice, and his film will undoubtedly spawn a cult of admirers. And, ideally, imitators. If there’s one thing Tumbbad has to say, it is that all gods need believers.
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It is not easy for a subversive horror film to trim away its genre tentacles and still land an 800-screen release. Tumbbad has pulled off a rare trade-off, but its authenticity has taken some beating. It is the closest we have come to breaking new ground, but is it really the way forward?
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As the film progresses the explanatory begins to replace the enigmatic while you long for the shadowy, invisible demons of the mind lurking in the moody frames at the start of the film.
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...rests on a unique concept but the disjointed narrative spoils the show.
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For the fantasy in Tumbbad to work, the reality had to seem equally frightening and crazy; but because the realities surrounding the parable are trimmed away before their emotional peaks are hit, the scares never quite reach us.
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