It lives Inside

Bishal Duttas' debut film It Lives Inside is a revelation in the American teen horror scene. Thanks to a harmonious fusion of conventional horror elements and an inventive Hindi twist, Bishal Duttas's film unfolds into a captivating tale that not only delivers spine-chilling chills, but also enriches the genre with cultural depth and resonance.

The heart of the film beats with the story of Samidha (Megan Suri), an American-Indian high school student grappling with the complex challenges of navigating two disparate worlds. In her quest to assimilate the Western lifestyle of her classmates, Samidha finds herself estranged from the deeply rooted traditional values of her parents. The poignant tension that ensues, particularly between Samidha and her mother, Poorna (Neeru Bajwa), captures the essence of the cross-cultural clashes that are woven into the very fabric of the Indian-American experience.

Duttas' narrative art flourishes when he blends horror with cultural exploration. At first glance, It Lives Inside may seem to conform to typical horror tropes, but it boldly introduces Hindu folklore, injecting an air of authenticity and novelty into a well-established formula. The result is an exciting fusion that not only reinvents the genre, but also broadens its thematic scope.

The film's success is largely due to the spellbinding performance of Megan Suri as Samidha. Suri masterfully embodies Samidha's internal conflicts, capturing the subtleties of her identity crisis and growth journey. This depth of character is further amplified by Neeru Bajwas' interpretation of Poorna, which provides an evocative counterpoint to Samidha's struggles. The presence of Betty Gabriels as Samidhas' teacher adds another layer of understanding to the complexity of the immigrant experience.

Beyond its fascinating characters, It Lives inside triumphs in its management of tension. Bishal Dutta employs an artful approach, gradually building an emotional foundation through interpersonal relationships before introducing the menacing Pishacha, a demon from Indian folklore. This deliberate pacing is a masterstroke, heightening horror by anchoring it in personal issues. The visual embodiment of Pishacha, achieved through a mix of practical effects and CGI enhancements, also contributes to the film's haunting atmosphere.

What elevates It Lives Inside above ordinary horror films is its exploration of cultural duality. The Pishacha, harbinger of terror, metamorphoses into a powerful metaphor for the inner battles facing Samidha and countless immigrant teenagers. This integration of supernatural horror and cultural introspection transforms the film into a profound commentary on identity, assimilation and the age-old conflict between heritage and modernity.

Although the film loses steam momentarily in its third act, veering towards a more traditional horror trajectory, the strength of its opening moments ensures that the impact remains unscathed. The most striking sequences, such as the encounter with the playground swing and the high school chase, testify to Bishal Dutta's expertise in constructing suspenseful scenes that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

It Lives Inside is not just a horror film; it's a meditative exploration of the complexities of the immigrant experience and the demons that inhabit us all. By seamlessly interweaving horror and culture, Bishal Dutta creates an innovative and thought-provoking cinematic tapestry. In a genre that sometimes succumbs to ready-made formulas, It Lives Inside stands as a beacon of originality, proving that horror can be both terrifying and instructive. The film is a testament to the narrative's ability to transcend the limitations of the genre and illuminate profound truths about the human experience.

It Lives inside
Written and Directed by Bishal Dutta
Story by Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta
Produced by Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick
Starring Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Vik Sahay, Betty Gabriel
Music by Wesley Hughes
Cinematography : Matthew Lynn
Edited by Jack Price
Production companies : Neon, QC Entertainment
Distributed by Neon (United States), KMBO (France)
Release dates : March 11, 2023 (SXSW), September 6, 2023 (France), September 22, 2023 (United States)
Running time : 99 minutes

Viewed August 09, 2023 (Fantasia press screener)

Mulder's Mark:

Plunged straight into hell as soon as the film opens, It lives Inside, produced by the makers of Get Out, introduces us to its latest baby. And by no means the least: a horrible, cruel entity that feeds on people's fear. Locked in a box, it awaits its release. 

Referring to the terrifying story of the dybbuk box, the film accumulates clichés without finding its own horrific path. Rooted directly in Hindu culture (without really immersing us fully in it), Samidha sees her best friend lose her mind over a glass box said to contain "absolute evil" that sustains itself from within. Annoyed by her attitude, the latter breaks the jar, releasing the demon for good and indirectly condemning her friend to become its eternal prey... Samidha, for her part, is next (by substitution)! Apart from the horrific, the film tackles a number of subjects, presenting us with a teenager in crisis, searching for herself and no longer able to communicate with her family. She's being eaten away from the It lives Inside, and can't identify with her Indian cultural identity.

The filmmaking is clean and unsurprising, with few jumpscares, but they remain frightening. There are nods to Dario Argento, and more specifically to his film Suspiria, with very bright colors in specific shots: an intense, low-contrast red light to invite us into hell, and a cold blue light to vibrate with the main character's (ir)rational emotions. The pace is sometimes a little too slow, losing us and spoiling the imminent arrival of the demonic entity. Special mention must be made of the terrible monster with its thirst for blood and death: it's as repulsive as you could wish and makes us 'drip' with pleasure.

In conclusion, an eight clos based on a news item (the dybbuk box), mixing a psychological analysis of a teenager in search of identity with some terrifying scenes worthy of a good horror film. But unlike the last films produced by the makers of Get Out, which were aimed at a more informed (and adult) audience, It lives Inside is sure to appeal to teenagers, who will be able to identify with Samidha, full of bravery as she confronts her most demonic inner and outer fears. You're in for a chilling re-entry that will take you straight to eternal punishment.

It lives Inside
Written and Directed by Bishal Dutta
Story by Bishal Dutta, Ashish Mehta
Produced by Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick
Starring Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Vik Sahay, Betty Gabriel
Music by Wesley Hughes
Cinematography : Matthew Lynn
Edited by Jack Price
Production companies : Neon, QC Entertainment
Distributed by Neon (United States), KMBO (France)
Release dates : March 11, 2023 (SXSW), September 6, 2023 (France), September 22, 2023 (United States)
Running time : 99 minutes

Viewed August 09, 2023 (Fantasia press screener)

Sarah-The-Witch's Mark: