It Lives Inside

The idea for this story was really cool - I love the unique demon type and the Hindi lore used within it. It's really unique to see a different pantheon of unknown cultural demonology incorporated into a modern retelling. I particularly enjoyed the idea of the demon swallower element added in for great effect, but it felt like it was a little prematurely laced together in some ways. It gave some foreshadow but then left a lot unsaid. Possibly due to the fact that may make a sequel, but there were a number of questions I had about the plot that weren't quite summarized. Still, a unique story and I'd recommend it to those who are enthused by demonic tales from cultures not typically depicted in mainstream theater films.

I saw It Lives Inside early as part of Regal's Mystery Movie Monday. I already had it on my watchlist so I was happy with the choice. The outcome though, not so much.

It takes a long while to get going, for the story to progress, and to see anything scary. Even when it does get going, it's fairly underwhelming aside from one scene in the middle. After that scene, I felt mildly positive about the movie. But I found the third act and conclusion to be a huge letdown. And the movie overall feels ordinary within the horror genre.

Part of the reason the horror elements feel weak is the PG-13 rating. This movie should have absolutely been rated R. If they weren't restricted, some of these scenes could have been shocking. They sometimes do a decent job of pushing the limits or creatively showing what they can. But it's not enough and feels like it's holding back.

There are some good elements here. And I can see some people liking this. But it just didn't do it for me. It reminded me of a significantly restrained and much worse version of Smile. Watch that instead.

(1 viewing, early screening Mystery Movie Monday 9/4/2023)

The opening scenes were fiendish, giving a tantalizing glimpse of what the movie potentially had in store, which immediately excited me since I didn't know anything at all about the movie. Surprisingly, it didn't take long to dive into the gruesomeness, and the jump scares had a desired effect in the packed theater. The cultural background of the movie made it unique, Indian mythology was a departure from the usual Hollywood horror stuff.

I think the film's great at creating a gripping atmosphere, but it falls slightly short of delivering on it. At its core, it felt like a breath of fresh air, but once it finds its groove, it started following a more formulaic plot, losing some of its originality. Some plot points felt glossed over.

Connection between characters wasn't very strong, I didn't really care for them as much. More focus on Tamira's character at the start would've helped. The ending, while still fine, felt unsatisfactory to me. When i thought of my favorite part of the movie, it was undoubtedly the gripping opening scenes that didn't shy away from the gore. I had hoped for a more intense, slasher-like turn that never materialized. The climax didn't quite meet my expectations. It's a worthwhile first viewing, but I doubt its replay value.

The film doesn't suffer from major flaws but rather minor imperfections. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I believe it had untapped potential. Maybe that's because it's a directorial debut, but for a first effort, it's still quite commendable.

As a horror fan, I was excited to watch this horror flick by a director who was debuting.

For me, the movie was just bland. Nothing was new in it, it was just the same old story which has been told and shown hundreds of time. The screenplay was average as it could have been more tight, the direction was also average but a decent one for a debut director, the performances were just okay as the characters were not that much convincing.

Overall, it was neither a good nor a bad horror movie. All blame goes to a bland-outdated story which weak execution. If you want to give it a try, you can but don't keep expectations.

In my humble opinion, PG-13 rated horror movies should be made illegal. "It Lives Inside" attempted to infuse horror with a cultural identity prism, but unfortunately, its weak and flawed narrative overshadowed this unique angle. The film was a tapestry of clichés, from the predictable jump scares to the tired plot twists that left little room for genuine surprise. While the inclusion of cultural elements was promising, it couldn't salvage the movie from its formulaic approach.

"It Lives Inside" missed the mark by relying heavily on overused horror tropes, detracting from any potential impact it could have had. The attempt to intertwine cultural identity with horror was an interesting concept, but the lackluster execution and reliance on clichés ultimately hindered its potential. In a genre that thrives on innovation and fear, this movie fell short, failing to leave a lasting impression.