It Lives Inside

I watched It Lives Inside (2023) in theaters last night. The story revolves around Samidha, a young woman who has grown distant from her best friend. Her former friend begins exhibiting strange behavior, appearing unusual and carrying a mysterious jar. It's evident that her life is unraveling. When Samidha confronts her about this, it leads to a confrontation that unleashes something that will profoundly affect their lives forever.

Directed by Bishal Dutta in his directorial debut, this film stars Neeru Bajwa (Jatt & Juliet), Megan Suri (Missing), Mohana Krishnan (I Am Frankie), Betty Gabriel (Get Out), and Vik Sahay (Chuck).

It Lives Inside presents a frustrating viewing experience. The premise and initial setup of the storyline are excellent, offering a unique plot with a creature like no other in horror. Megan Suri and Mohana Krishnan deliver remarkable performances, and Dutta utilizes exceptional cinematography and camera angles to build tension. However, the effectiveness of the horror elements are inconsistent. While the attack scenes and intensity are well-executed, the invisible elements often fell short and left me wanting more. The film's conclusion, along with how they handle the creature, feels somewhat corny and unsatisfying.

In summary, It Lives Inside possesses distinctive elements that make it worth a watch, but the horror scenes may not hit like you hope. I would rate it 4.5/10 but still recommend seeing it once for its unique aspects.

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.

It Lives Inside had an interesting premise or at least it could have being slightly different from most other Hollywood movies of this kind. But it chooses to stay in its lane and work its way through many well-known horror movie tropes. The movie is sadly rather forgettable and does not stand out a bit. There is a mostly invisible entity following our protagonist killing everybody she comes too close to. In the third act the creature is made visible which I have to say looked pretty cool and I enjoyed those visuals overall. Also I have to give the movie that it has some scary and eerie scenes that were really tension filled. But overall this movie did not manage to convince me to ever watch it again I think. The fact that the movie is PG-13 should have given me a hint that this can't be that great. [5,5/10]

Right from the opening with its macabre long take, "It Lives Inside" establishes a sense of dread that persists throughout this descent into hell. Competent but derivative, the final result takes us into familiar formulas and a predictable rhythm that prevent us from fully immersing ourselves in the madness.

The direction allows for terrifying imagery and creative camera movements, which are, however, trapped within a poorly woven script. The demonic presence is there, the great strength of this film lies in the grim atmosphere soaked in red and black. Indian customs and Hindu mythology add personality and richness to the film, which is greatly appreciated even if the potential is not fully realized.

There's something to be said about the work on the practical special effects, considering the production budget. Despite a certain lack of originality, the supernatural manifestations follow one another, delivering an allegory about depression and an interesting message about cultural acceptance. A feeling of déjà vu? "It Lives Inside" borrows current themes that appear in several modern horror films and stumbles slightly in execution. Eventually, we fall into a zone of predictability and a trap of clichés that prevents the final work from reaching its full potential.

Also worth noting is the presence of the young lead actress, Megan Suri, who should catch Hollywood's attention after her performance. All in all, it's an intriguing mix of satanic incantations, cultural immersion, and teen horror that should find its audience upon its theatrical (or streaming) release.

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.