The new Telugu horror thriller Eesha attempts to weave a social message into its supernatural fabric. Directed by Srinivas Manne, the film follows four friends who decide to take a stand against fraudulent spiritual leaders and the blind faith systems that prey on people's fears.
A Promising Premise Meets Familiar Horror
What starts as a rational mission for the quartet soon plunges them into deeply unsettling territory. Their investigative journey leads them to a confined and eerie space where strange, unexplained events begin to occur. The film's core conflict centers on belief itself, questioning where superstition ends and the supernatural begins.
Director Srinivas Manne sets up this intriguing concept with clarity. The initial portions effectively establish the group's dynamics and their motivations, grounding the story in a relatable reality before introducing otherworldly elements. However, the narrative struggles to maintain momentum.
The first half, in particular, moves at a sluggish pace. It relies heavily on conventional horror techniques like jump scares, sudden loud noises, and predictable setups. This overuse diminishes their impact, making the scares feel repetitive rather than frightening.
Performances and Technical Execution
On the performance front, Hebah Patel (Nayana) and Adith Arun (Kalyan) stand out with earnest and committed portrayals. Their genuine emotional reactions provide the film with a credible heart, helping audiences stay connected even during the slower sections. Siri Hanumanth and Akhil Raj Uddemari offer adequate support, though their characters lack the depth needed to make a lasting impression.
Technically, the film is bolstered by an effective sound design and atmospheric visuals that successfully create tension in parts. The supernatural mystery does grip attention when the focus shifts from shock value to building a pervasive mood.
Where Eesha Ultimately Stumbles
The film's major flaw lies in its prolonged buildup. This slow burn ultimately works against the story, dulling the impact of a key climactic twist that could have been far more powerful with tighter editing and a sharper screenplay.
While Eesha is driven by a unique and relevant concept that critiques blind faith through a horror lens, its execution doesn't fully realize this potential. A more polished script could have transformed it into a consistently chilling and thought-provoking experience.
Verdict: Watch Eesha if you are a fan of traditional horror thrillers and don't mind a familiar storytelling pattern with occasional effective scares. It offers a novel idea but gets bogged down by pacing issues and overused genre tropes.
