Movie Name : Asvins
Cast: Vasanth Ravi, Vimala Raman, Muralidaran, Saras Menon, UdhayaDeep and Simran Pareek
Written & Directed by Tarun Teja
Presented by: Bapineedu B
Producer: BVSN Prasad
Director of Photography: A M Edwin Sakay
Editing: Venkat Raajen
Production Design: Don Bala
Music: Vijay Siddharth
Moviemanthra.com; Rating; 3/5`
Asvins is a horror thriller that takes inspiration from a short film directed by Tarun Teja during the first lockdown three years ago. The film blends mythology and horror, offering a unique premise that blended well and impressed the audiences. The director’s attempts to cater to a wider audience have been successful. Check out the review of the movie here.
Story:
The story follows a group of YouTubers, Arjun, Ritu, Grace, Varun, and Rahul, who embark on a black tourism project to explore a notorious haunted mansion in the UK. Previously owned by archaeologist Aarthi Rajagopal, the mansion has been abandoned for years, leaving the protagonists to wonder if they will survive their perilous endeavor. The rest of the crux forms the story of the movie for which you’ll have to watch the movie.
Performances & Technical Aspects:
Vasanth Ravi delivers a commanding performance, complemented by the skillful color grading that enhances the film’s atmosphere with greens, blues, and reds. Vijay Siddharth’s chilling background score further adds to the experience. Ravi’s portrayal of the protagonist is captivating, as he maintains vulnerability and elicits audience empathy. Vimala Raman shines in her role as the archaeologist, despite her limited screen time. The supporting cast, including Muralidaran, Saraswathi Menon, UdhayaDeep, and Simran Pareek, deliver assured performances, although their characters could have been more fleshed out. While the film initially captures attention through its indulgent sound design and raw cinematography, which is truly innovative and groundbreaking storytelling experience.
Review:
The narrative structure of Asvins follows a conventional path. The protagonists venture into the haunted mansion, unaware of the horrors that await them. After the intermission, the film delves into the mansion’s backstory, exploring the motivations behind the evil forces and focusing on the protagonists’ efforts to overcome them. The first hour adheres to typical horror film tropes, relying on silences, eerie whispers, jump scares, and the stereotypical long-haired ghost with an evil laugh.
However, the film finds its stride in the second half, particularly after the intermission. Tarun Teja demonstrates brilliance in his layered visualization of duality and the protagonist’s psychological battles. The narrative creates a maze-like experience where reality and illusion blur, immersing the audience in a well-crafted parallel universe.
The film thrives in moments that stay true to the story and delve into the intriguing battle between good and evil, even when dealing with abstract concepts. At times, the film tries too hard to impress with its soundscape, resembling an enthusiastic child eager to show off a bag of tricks. The open ending is fitting and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer’s mind.
Asvins is a film enriched by technical finesse and Vasanth Ravi’s outstanding performance. The film excels in visualizing its universe and creating an immersive soundscape.
Plus points:
Performances
Production
Story and direction
Minus points:
Few lags
Punch Line: Asvins is an intriguing psychological thrille
