Diary entries forUnder the Shadow
Under the Shadow
Where The Djinn managed to create something that wasn’t terribly scary when it came to the djinn, Under the Shadow, on the other hand, manages to outright terrify. I have loved this film dearly since I last watched it after it had first came out in the States, and is a film that I regularly suggest to people who are wanting to get into foreign horror. It creates a story mainly in a single location, just like the previously mentioned film The Djinn, but manages to create an atmosphere that it downright terrifying, while subtley discussing women’s role in Iranian society, without having to push that in the viewers’ faces. This genuinely is one of the most frightening films that I have ever seen, and I cannot believe that I actually have the limited edition copy from Second Sight Films, who did a great job with supplements as well. It’s an amazing film that I wish more people would give a chance, since it truly is a stellar horror film.
Under the Shadow
What makes a horror film so effective is when it hits a person at a personal level. Once a film touches a person at an intimate level, the film becomes much more effective. I felt American Honey touch my soul, and I felt it yet again while watching Under the Shadow, but in a completely different way. Instead of a compassionate and loving way, I had fear struck into me, a fear that is rare. Complete and utter terror. Under the Shadow may be one of the most frightening films that I have ever seen. Unlike many films, this fear struck me deep in my soul, a fear that many films have not been able to strike. I found this film terrifying because of the relationship between mother and daughter. The relationship between parent and offspring is something that is extremely intimate, and that relationship seemed to be unspooling before my eyes. The terror of a mother not having a relationship with her child, whom she devotes her entire life to, is scarier than any spirit you could encounter. Another aspect that is terrifying is war. The imagery of war-torn Iran is completely haunting. The constant state of living in fear and anxiety is something I hope I will never encounter. This shows the repercussions of war, and how it impacts the lives of ordinary citizens. It's horrifying to think of the innocent people who are murdered because of war, and Under the Shadow gives a glimpse into a grim reality for many Middle Eastern families. As for the actual spirit, I was genuinely terrified. Anvari creates a stunning atmosphere, when paired with the war, creates an atmosphere of dread and dreariness. Any scene with the spirit seemed to intensify to the point where my heart was racing, and I felt myself genuinely frightened. It was extremely interesting to see a film about djinn, since they are a mythology that aren't really represented in film. The intense atmosphere, mixed with the war-torn terror, makes for a beautifully terrifying concoction that really works. This film would not have worked without the phenomenal performances from Rashidi and Manshadi. The chemistry between them was amazing, creating a bond that felt like they truly were mother and daughter. Rashidi's performance is a monumental performance, standing among one of the strongest performances of this year. It's always a gamble when working with children, but Manshadi was amazing, even when her character seemed to make mistakes. A horror film needs to stand out, not only with a unique concept, but with fantastic performances as well. Under the Shadow truly is a remarkable horror film. It's extremely refreshing to find a horror film that is this good. I heard about this film months ago when it was going through festivals, and I knew that I needed to watch it. Luckily, I was able to rent it, but I much rather would have seen this in theaters. I think this would have been a completely different experience, creating a much more intense and scary atmosphere than watching in the comfort of my apartment. Being one of my most anticipated films of the year, Under the Shadow exceeded my expectations, creating one of the most terrifying films I have ever experienced. Hopefully this film does well with the Academy, possibly getting nominated for an Oscar. It deserves it, as well as deserving the status of being one of the greatest horror films to be released.
Under the Shadow
Babak Anvari logra crear tensión real sin artificios, logrando tension humana y realista ambientada en una guerra que solo justifica la inteligencia en escritura que invade este film, con poca trascendencia en su tercer acto la experiencia que deja Bajo la sombra es memorable e interesante.
