Seat Edge Movie Review: Where Comedy Meets Horror in a Social Media Age
The Kannada film Seat Edge, released on January 30, 2026, offers a unique blend of horror, comedy, and social media commentary. Directed by Chethan Shetty, this 2-hour-2-minute horror thriller stars Siddu Moolimani, Raviksha Shetty, Raaghu Ramanakoppa, and Girish Shivanna in pivotal roles.
Plot Overview: From YouTube Dreams to Ghostly Nightmares
The story centers on Siddu, played by Siddu Moolimani, a young IT professional who abandons his stable career to pursue internet fame through YouTube. Supported by his friend Raghu, a yoga instructor portrayed by Raaghu Ramanakoppa, Siddu experiments with various content trends including daily vlogs and food reviews. However, their enthusiasm often leads to trouble, particularly when a promoted food joint causes food poisoning, resulting in a police inquiry with Officer Shambunath, played by Girish Shivanna.
Parallel to this professional chaos runs a romantic subplot involving Nandini, an aerobics instructor played by Raviksha Shetty. As Siddu's attempts at viral content fail, he notices the popularity of ghost-hunting videos and resorts to fabricating paranormal content using CGI. When Nandini discovers his deception, Siddu becomes determined to prove his authenticity by entering a notorious ghost town from which no one has ever returned.
Narrative Structure: Lighthearted Beginnings to Intense Horror
The film's first half maintains a lighthearted tone, filled with situational comedy, friendship dynamics, romantic moments, and the unpredictable nature of internet fame. Horror elements are deliberately restrained during this phase, making their emergence in the second half more impactful. Once Siddu enters the ghost town, the atmosphere shifts dramatically to traditional horror staples including cobweb-filled houses, eerie dolls, bats, violent past crimes, and mysterious objects.
Despite treading familiar horror territory at times, Seat Edge distinguishes itself through inventive narrative touches. A particular ghost character obsessed with puzzles and mind games adds an engaging layer, trapping intruders in looping, maze-like situations that inject freshness into the genre. These elements help sustain interest while exploring the town's dark history and Siddu's psychological endurance.
Performances and Technical Execution
The cast delivers convincing performances across both comedic and horror-driven segments. Siddu Moolimani effectively portrays the ambitious yet flawed protagonist, while Raaghu Ramanakoppa provides solid support as the loyal friend. Raviksha Shetty brings depth to the romantic interest, and Girish Shivanna adds an ironic twist as the content-creating police officer.
From a technical standpoint, the film is competently made, supporting its genre shifts without major disruptions. The cinematography and sound design effectively enhance both the comedic and horror sequences, creating a cohesive viewing experience.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
The film has received a 2.5 rating from both critics and users. While it may not redefine the horror genre, Seat Edge offers enough interesting ideas in its latter half to engage genre enthusiasts. The blend of horror thriller elements with comedy, social-media satire, and unique twists on familiar formulas makes it worth watching for fans of innovative cinema.
Overall, Seat Edge presents a compelling exploration of modern ambition, authenticity, and survival against supernatural odds. Its successful integration of multiple genres and thoughtful commentary on social media culture make it a noteworthy addition to contemporary Kannada cinema.
