When I first saw a preview for Bishal Dutta’s It Lives Inside, I was ecstatic to see a horror movie directed by, for and about Indians. Most of all, I’m always excited to see an Indian person in the media, and that feeling was amplified as I am an Indian who loves horror. So I was super disappointed that the general consensus about the film was negative. After watching it, though, I can’t say that I don’t get where these critics are coming from.
The film centers around Sam—short for Samidha—a first-generation Indian-American looking to assimilate to white American culture. She shuns her childhood best friend, Tamira, who is being haunted by a demonic entity. After abandoning her friend, Sam is soon tortured by this same demon. Throughout the film, Sam confronts her relationship with her culture and family, as well as the demon that is haunting her.
First, I’ll discuss what I think the film did well. The dialogue doesn’t feel awkward, which is a rarity for any horror movie, even those that are well received. The acting is well executed, particularly by Megan Suri, who plays Sam. Suri is also the actress playing Aneesa in the popular Netflix series Never Have I Ever. Dutta, the movie’s director, uses food, and Sam’s involvement in its preparation, as a motif of cultural connection, and it’s clear, yet not overdone. The cultural exploration is probably the most enjoyable part of the movie, especially in the relationship between Sam and her mother. Their arguments and their clashing cultural duties are moving, and it’s surprising that their intricate dynamic comes from a male director. Tamira’s character was probably my favorite, and each time I saw her I wanted to see more.
Now, on to the film’s faults. The first half of the movie could have easily been fit into the first quarter, which would have allowed the second half to be fleshed out in ways I would have loved. The film relies on the trope of crazed journaling, when someone who’s been cursed keeps a journal and starts scribbling the same word over and over on a page, and it never feels new. I think the documentation of how curses or being haunted can drive people crazy can be done well (the best example of this device coming from The Ring), but too often people cop out with that horrible journal trope! I can’t think of a single time that this trope has been executed well.
Most of the jumpscares aren’t scary because the tension is drawn out far too long beforehand, and when you have a minute or so to prepare for a scare, it really isn’t scary anymore. I loved Dutta’s use of Hindu imagery, but it felt too sparse throughout the first half of the movie. I think the dilemma this movie faced was whether to make a movie accessible to those without knowledge of Indian culture, or to gatekeep those experiences and keep it geared towards Indians. I don’t think Dutta decided either way, and it was aggravating to see the characters give Wikipedia-esque explanations for those not in the know half of the time, and have moments that would probably confuse many non-Desis the other half. The ending of the film felt unsatisfying, yet it is the only logical ending for the film. It was obvious that Dutta was trying to set up a sequel, one that will definitely not be coming, considering how … unsupportive the reaction was.
Though I’ve been critical, the movie is, overall, fairly entertaining. It’s not a masterpiece by any means, but it’s only an hour and a half or so. If you have that much time to kill and a Hulu subscription, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to watch it. If white people can make mid-tier horror movies and be celebrated, I think Indians should get the same chance.