Title: The Underbug
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Shujaat Saudagar
Starring: Ali Fazal, Hussain Dalal, Areenah Fatima
Runtime: 1 hr 8 mins

What It Is: In the midst of religious-based riots in India, two bloody and battered men find refuge in an abandoned house that has been completely turned upside down. Unsure of whether or not to trust one another, both men keep their identities and religion hidden from each other as they try to survive. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be alone in the house. Something sinister is in the house with them and seems to strike and appear when they are most vulnerable. Is someone messing with them or are they in the presence of the supernatural? Fear and paranoia fill this thriller as the two men find themselves trapped in a disturbing house with forces they don’t understand.

What We Think:  This film is beautifully brooding and atmospheric. Cinematically a gorgeous film to look at. Every establishing shot feels so meticulously planned that it feels like one is looking at a dark piece of art. From the outset, you feel the paranoia of the piece and it doesn’t really let up until well past the midway point of the film. Both protagonists, as far as I can tell, were nameless. Given the context, it was a decidedly smart move in the screenplay. Yet despite their namelessness, one can tell a lot of thought and depth was definitely put into both characters.  They both felt well fleshed out and like they had entire lives that they hardly talk about with each other due to their lack of trust. Both lead actors gave stellar and convincing performances, with the real highlight being the second man who entered the house, the character played by actor Ali Fazal. I felt like his performance really added an eerie quality to the movie and I would dare say there were multiple times he in particular had me unsettled and my hair standing on end. You never knew whether his character was a trustworthy ally, a menacing foe, or a somber and unfortunate individual merely caught up in a terrible situation. The tension of the movie mainly works because of the dynamic between the two lead actors and watching the two’s genuine chemistry is an absolute treat. Both characters are on the verge of complete insanity and both actors are believably on the brink throughout the runtime of the film.

Most of the movie is a wonderfully tense thriller, and being the avid horror fan I am, I quite enjoyed it. There were some aspects I thought didn’t work well, however. A little past the midpoint the tension dies a bit, the supernatural aspects lose their appeal (some shots feel very Paranormal Activity), and the big third-act reveal was more than a little disappointing. What I found more interesting towards the end was less the times the movie tried to scare me and more the commentary that it had to say about its underlying religious subject matter. The movie in the third act almost works better as a character piece than the horror film it had been building up to be. All this being said, there were still moments in the end that had me on the edge of my seat. I cannot stress enough that Ali Fazal’s performance gave me literal goosebumps at points.

Our Grade: B, To me, The Underbug is reminiscent of The Lighthouse and definitely plays on similar tropes of paranoia and claustrophobia. It’s two men, stuck in a hostile environment, having to try to maintain their grip on their sanity while possibly battling supernatural forces. It’s cinematically beautiful and has well-written characters, but it doesn’t seem to be fully interested in being the horror piece the plot premise sets itself up to be. All in all, however, I did enjoy it and would gladly rewatch and recommend the film. Ali Fazal and Hussain Dalal both deliver quality performances in this rich and beautiful thriller.