#BingeRecommends: Diés Iraé and the gothic world of Rahul Sadasivan!

With Diés Iraé, Malayalam's world of horror looks promising. If you loved it, here's why we think you should check out filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan's world-building with Bramayugam and Bhoothakaalam.

Consider all the emotions we feel, saying that fear is the only emotion that remains constant might not be wrong. The fear of losing someone close, not fitting in, being alone, or, as we have seen in most horror movies, that you are not. It takes a real genius to understand and translate this fear onscreen, especially when the people going to watch it know it’s fictional. Horror is a genre people choose, hoping to feel what the characters are feeling, which is also why it will always be dissected and deeply examined. Finding good horror stories in Indian cinema is like discovering a rare gem worth treasuring. Perhaps that’s why exploring Rahul Sadasivan’s world of horror is something viewers should not miss.

I recently went to watch the latest addition to his world of horror - Diés Iraé. While the movie had zero to no pre-release interviews and little buzz, the hype after its preview caught on like wildfire. Diés Iraé follows Rohan, an architect, enjoying his rich, affluent and lonely lifestyle until he finds things going haywire when he feels something lurking in the shadows. Something that initially seemed like a false notion soon turned into something supernatural and otherworldly. His investigation on finding out what’s behind it leads to him discovering something sinister.

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The movie is not an exceptional story that has never been told before, but it manages to feel like a satisfyingly scary addition that every fan of the genre would enjoy. Most of it could also be credited to Sadasivan's previous outings that are on their way to becoming a cult Malayalam classic, especially in the horror genre. We get his signature frames, unexpected jump scares and the masterful use of sound as a way to set the stage for something sinister. It’s these elements that truly make the film worthy of its hype, especially when the story falls short in itself without having anything new to offer. Diés Iraé is also proof of Indian audiences wanting quality horror movies, which not only plays with the myth, but uses it without losing its shock value that one can experience if delivered correctly.

You appreciate this the more you delve into the intriguing world of Sadasivan. He skillfully adapts the most mystic stories and characters from ancient lore into a modern setting, becoming a standout figure among film enthusiasts. His stories are for the goths and lovers of myth who appreciate the elements brought forth by the supernatural. His narratives emphasise the power of stillness while demonstrating that close attention and skill are necessary to introduce disruptive elements that transform this horror experience into a thrilling journey. Bramayugam and Bhoothakaalam are two of his other works that are not only a testament to his works but also feel like an extension connecting the past and present in Diés Iraé. 

The more people discover Bramayugam, the more they realise what a masterpiece it is. Being a movie that's entirely done in black and white is the least of what makes this film a masterclass. With an actor who is often referred to when talking about acting legacy in the title role, Sadasivan was able to build on a ghostly world that has its moments, which is equally perturbing and aesthetically pleasing. Mammootty as Kodumon Potti gives life to an enigmatic being, a chattan living in a place with his cook. As the devil challenges a folk singer, Arjun Ashokan's Thevan who ran away from salvery, you see a man's belief about God, time, and reality crumble, while we, the audience, get a spectacular visual treat. Reminding us of the gothic world that Robert Eggers and Aris Aster have been able to create, Sadasivan brings the eeriness of the forgotten Indian mythology and settings. 

Meanwhile, Bhoothakaalam has a more real and grounded story to tell. With Revathi and Shane Nigam at the centre, it focuses on creating an atmosphere more than its signature jump scares to show an unsettling and tense story. Discovering the uncertainties that lie in their life after a death in their family, we see a mom and son come to terms with their own internal struggles they kept hidden. Sadasivan shows how to add a bit of supernatural in a life that turns the little peace existing in their life into a chaotic mess, while the house turns into a disruptive place.

Much of the horror in his work relies on creating a compelling atmosphere and the realisation that some of the fears we experience are very much real and existing. Bramayugam, set in the 17th century, talks about how the underprivileged lived at the mercy of those with power, with nothing but their beliefs and a gruelling struggle for survival, much like today. Bhoothakalam shows a middle-class family struggling for the most basic and very humane needs, like finding a job or making sense of one’s mental health struggles, a mirror to the parts of our society we often tend to ignore. Diés Iraé is about a wealthy, well-settled yet lonely man, who wants people around only for the moments they offer, without wanting them as a permanent part of his life. While all three films are based on experiences that are rather different from one another, they are all tied by fear. Sadasivan banks on this common factor to bring out his filmmaking chops to deliver visual artistry. His talent to transform any seemingly inanimate objects, like a house, into crucial elements of the storyline, shows his skill in effectively doing justice to the horror genre.

As audiences who are always on the lookout for original Indian stories, brushing through Sadasivan's world might offer the satisfaction you are looking for. From the haunting loneliness of Diés Iraé to the chilling myths of Bramayugam and the raw realism of Bhoothakaalam, Rahul Sadasivan’s horror universe is a must-explore for every fan of the genre, because sometimes, fear feels best when it’s homegrown.

Which of these titles would you add to your watchlist? Let us know in the comments below!

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