Sneha Jaiswal's Blog, page 74

Horror Short Film ‘Signal’ Review

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“Siri… Call Sylvain”

Before we even meet the protagonist of the horror short film Signal, we hear her call out to her phone’s AI assistant. This sets up the expectation of a technology-driven horror story, but that’s not quite what unfolds.

Directed by Jérôme Pierrat, Signal takes place in a hospital where the lead character, Deborah (Coralie Denis), is injured, helpless, and trapped in her hospital bed with barely any battery left on her phone. She calls for help, but no one comes—except for a malicious entity.

At just over eight minutes long, the hospital setting and Deborah’s vulnerable state create an immediate sense of unease. Watching her struggle to twist her body and plug her phone into an unreachable charger is anxiety-inducing, especially as you dread the moment she might fall and worsen her injuries. The dim, gloomy, clinical atmosphere of the almost deserted hospital helps in keeping the tone dark and moody.

With plenty of blood, suspense, and supernatural events, Signal manages to keep the tension high until the end. However, the final minute introduces an unexpected moral twist, implying that Deborah is being tormented as punishment for being a greedy and unfaithful woman. For a French horror film to ‘punish’ its heroine for not being some idealistic virginal archetype feels regressive. Without that last-minute twist, Signal would have been a gritty, effective little horror film.

You can watch Signal on YouTube, it’s also embedded below.

Chilli Chicken Review – Not the Food Flick You Expect

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Small business owner Aadarsh runs a struggling, greasy Chinese restaurant called ‘Noodle Home’ in Bengaluru, staffed by four North-Eastern migrant workers who all share a cramped flat provided by their boss. While Aadarsh dreams of opening a fine dining establishment, the sudden, suspicious death of one of his employees brings unforeseen challenges to them all.

Directed by Prateek Prajosh, the 2024 movie “Chilli Chicken” is an interesting peak into the lives of north-eastern migrant workers, who despite their best efforts to assimilate (all of them speak Kannada), are constantly made to feel like outsiders. But with multiple protagonists, the film flounders in finding its true focus. From starting off as a refreshing peak into the daily experiences of young immigrant workers, it morphs into a chaotic tale of death, possible murder, corruption, and toxic racism and regionalism.

Shrunga B.V. plays Aadarsh, the over-confident, barely working owner of ‘Noodle Home’, who over-works his employees, and treats them with little respect. The first hour of this 2-hour long movie takes its time in introducing the primary characters of the tale and their personal struggles. Aadarsh has a hard time securing a loan for his next venture and discovers that somebody has been stealing from the restaurant’s cashbox. His entire staff is from the north-east of India and they all stay together in a flat paid for by Aadarsh.

The hard-working Ajoy (Victor Thoudam) is promised a raise and a promotion by Aadarsh if he can find out who is misappropriating their funds. Ajoy meanwhile has his own problems, he wants to move-in with his girlfriend Anu (Harini Sundararajan), but the couple had a hard time finding a flat because they are unmarried. Their chef Khaba Meitei (Bijou Thaangjam) is also vying for the promotion as he has a kid on the way. The other two staff members Jimpa (Jimpa Sangpo Bhutia) and Jason (Tomthin Thokchom) are a lot more carefree.

Food has an on-and-off relationship with the plot of “Chilli Chicken”, you’d think it would be a crucial ingredient of the tale, like it was in Nicholas Kharkongor’s movie “Axone”, but it isn’t. Although, in the end, it emerges as the uniting factor between all the feuding characters, who clash on various issues through the runtime. However, unlike contemporary food-themed films, “Chilli Chicken” rarely features insta-worthy shots of Khaba cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The cinematography in-fact is slightly noir in tone, as if you’re watching a thriller film, which does complement some sections of the story, but feels off in other parts.

The title “Chilli Chicken” is deliciously ironic—neither capturing the fine-dining aspirations of Aadarsh nor reflecting the home cuisine of Chef Khaba and his friends. In a hilarious scene, Jimpa, the waiter, fumbles an order and tries to pass off chilli chicken as chilli paneer to a vegetarian family. This moment serves as a clever metaphor, highlighting how Northeast Indians are often hired in Chinese or Japanese restaurants, more as decorative tokens than for their culinary expertise or work ethics.

Instead of diving into multiple themes, the creators of “Chilli Chicken” should’ve stuck to a simpler plot, because the second half of the film is very muddled. The death of a character suddenly becomes the primary focus and isn’t seamlessly blended into the story. Regardless, it’s a laudable attempt at highlighting stories of Indians from the north-east.

Rating: 6 on 10. Watch “Chilli Chicken” on Prime Video.

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‘Love Next Door’ Mid-Season (episodes 1-8) Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Korean drama ‘Love Next Door’ (it’s on Netflix) starts off with four ajummas (aunties) talking about their kids, plastic surgeries, while one of them constantly farts away to glory. It’s an adequately fun start for a romantic-comedy series spanning sixteen episodes about a Tom-and-Jerry like couple. But come episode eight, and the entire tone of the series changes and becomes surprisingly serious… and I don’t think I want to watch ‘Love Next Door’ anymore! Not after the unexpected but extremely disappointing twist the creators threw into the story.  Let’s discuss plot first.

‘Love Next Door’ follows the comedic romance between childhood friends and neighbours Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in) and Bae Seok-ryoo (Jung So-min), who are either having fun together or fighting each other like cats and dogs. Their moms are longtime friends, who are always competing over whose child is more accomplished, so when Seok-ryoo returns to Seoul after quitting her cushy job in the U.S, her mom (Park Ji Young) is infuriated and extremely disappointed. Choi Seung-hyo on the other hand is still Mr Perfect, with his own architecture firm in Seoul that’s been winning awards. But his calm and perfect life gets chaotic when neighbor Seok-ryoo gets back in town. She is always finding ways to hang out with him or annoy him. Little does Seok-ryoo know that her childhood best-friend has a huge crush on her since forever.

Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min are quite cute together as Seung-hyo and Seok-ryoo, a lot of their friendly banter is hilarious, especially when they are bickering over little things, without any awkward tension (mostly) between them. However, their childish antics soon gets repetitive and tiring, and Seok-ryoo’s ceaselessness about Seung-hyo’s feelings are ridiculous. Besides, their romance moves at a snail-pace, which is standard for Korean dramas like these, but the chemistry isn’t there, they feel more like friends than lovers. The child actors who plays younger Seung-hyo and Seok-ryoo are adorable though and there’s a generous amount of flashback scenes in ‘Love Next Door’ to establish their childhood bond. Kim Ji Eun plays secondary lead Jung Mo Eum, who is also the lead couple’s childhood friend, however, her romantic sub-plot wasn’t interesting at all.

The first few episodes made “Love Next Door” seem like a refreshing ‘friends to lovers’ tale which encompasses a slightly less-explored theme – a seemingly successful expat returning to their country due to work-exhaustion and other disappointments on foreign soil. Bae Seok-ryoo’s character will resonate with anybody who is struggling to adapt themselves to a new country for their job and feel burdened by the growing expectations of their family. Not just that, she also must figure the biggest puzzle of adult life after one is jilted with their career – What Next?

But despite these fresh elements, “Love Next Door” also checks the same old boring boxes –

Leads who childishly cannot see that the other person is romantically interested in themParents who unfairly try to force their own dreams and expectations on their childrenScenes where the leads accidentally fall over each other to facilitate ‘touchy’ momentsA love rival swooping in and interrupting a crucial conversation just when one of them is about to confess their feelingsExcessive reliance on scenes where a character is hitting someone else for laughs

Like I wrote earlier, I don’t even know if I want to watch the rest of the series, but if I do, I will put up a full review. At this point, “Love Next Door” feels dragged out and is not the charming romantic-comedy I was hoping it to be and is just a mash of several popular Korean dramas that are already out there. If you do not care much about shows drastically shifting their tones, than might enjoy this series a lot more.

If I had to rate the series at this point, it would be 5 on 10.

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10 Movies That Tackle Suicide Awareness

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The famous philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said – The thought of suicide is a great consolation… by means of it one gets through many a dark night.

But sometimes, it doesn’t remain a thought, and the next night never comes for many of those who contemplate about ending their lives. Suicide is a critical issue that affects countless lives, and films can play a powerful role in raising awareness, fostering understanding, and encouraging meaningful conversations. Here are 10 impactful films, including some lesser-known titles, that shine a light on the complexities of suicide, mental health, and healing.

1. “It’s Kind of a Funny Story” (2010)

This dramedy takes a sensitive approach to mental health, following a teen who checks himself into a psychiatric ward. Blending humor with sincerity, the film explores the pressures of youth and the importance of seeking help.

2. “The Skeleton Twins” (2014)

Starring Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader, this indie film explores the strained relationship between two siblings dealing with past trauma and suicidal thoughts. The film delicately balances humor and melancholy, offering an honest look at family, grief, and recovery.

3. “Christine” (2016)

A lesser-known biopic of Christine Chubbuck, a 1970s news reporter who struggled with depression before taking her own life on-air. This intense drama, led by Rebecca Hall’s haunting performance, sheds light on depression’s unseen depths.

4. “Rudderless” (2014)

This indie gem centers on a grieving father who discovers his deceased son’s demo tapes and starts a band to deal with his loss. Touching on themes of guilt, grief, and redemption, Rudderless handles its delicate subject matter with raw honesty.

5. “The Bridge” (2006)

A documentary unlike any other, The Bridge captures real footage and personal stories of people at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, a notorious suicide spot. The film is deeply reflective and heartbreaking but crucial in raising awareness about suicide prevention.

6. “The End of the Tour” (2015)

This subtle, dialogue-driven film is based on David Foster Wallace’s interview during his book tour. Wallace, who struggled with severe depression, later died by suicide. The movie offers profound insights into the mind of a tortured genius and speaks to the loneliness that often accompanies success.

7. “Eighth Grade” (2018)

A poignant indie film that follows 13-year-old Kayla as she navigates the anxiety and alienation of adolescence. While suicide is not explicitly addressed, the film sensitively portrays the quiet struggles of growing up in the digital age, fostering a discussion about mental health in teens.

8. “The Virgin Suicides” (1999)

Sofia Coppola’s haunting adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel dives into the enigmatic world of five sisters who become the obsession of neighborhood boys after their suicides. The film’s ethereal tone and tragic narrative offer a sobering reflection on isolation and mental illness.

9. “To the Bone” (2017)

This Netflix indie drama follows a young woman battling anorexia and mental health struggles. While focused on eating disorders, it delves into themes of self-worth, depression, and the desire to live, encouraging conversations around the broader mental health spectrum.

10. “The Fallout” (2021)

This lesser-known indie explores the emotional aftermath of a school shooting and its profound effect on the students involved. Through the lens of trauma, loss, and survivor’s guilt, the film gently portrays how unexpected tragedies can push people to the edge.

These films, though varied in tone and style, all help shed light on the complexities of suicide and mental health, encouraging empathy and open conversation. Whether you’re looking for a heartfelt gem or stirring commentary, each of these titles brings a valuable perspective to this important topic.

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The Perfect Couple Ending Explained

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The 2024 Netflix murder mystery “The Perfect Couple” is based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling novel of the same name, however, the live action adaptation makes quite a few changes to the original story. The plot centers on Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), a famous author married to the wealthy Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber), who owns a stunning beachside mansion. They couple is busy hosting a lavish beach wedding in Nantucket for their son Benji (Billy Howle) and his bride Amelia (Eve Hewson). But the celebration is cut short when Amelia’s maid of honor, Merritt (Meghann Fahy), is found dead on the beach the morning of the wedding, sparking a murder investigation.

In The Perfect Couple, the ending ties together the mystery surrounding the murder at the wedding, revealing some unexpected twists. At first, you might think the victim, Merritt, died due to a random mishap, but the truth is far more complicated. When the cops learn that Meritt was pregnant with Tag Winbury’s child, Tag (Liev Schreiber) and wife Greer Garrison Winbury (Nicole Kidman), the perfect couple in everybody’s eyes, become the primary suspects, since both have strong motives to get rid of Merritt.

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However, it’s revealed in the end that Abby Winbury (played by Dakota Fanning) is the one who murdered Merritt. Merritt was pregnant with her father-in-law Tag’s child, and if she went through with the pregnancy, it would delay the Winbury sons from inheriting their trust fund and also reduce their share. According to the legal terms, Tag’s children gain access to the trust fund only after the youngest son turns 18. Tag’s youngest, Will Winbury, is already seventeen, and his eighteenth birthday is just a few weeks away. Abby’s husband, Thomas Winbury, is a good-for-nothing brat, and she’s desperate to buy a new house, expecting to get the money from the trust fund. But if Merritt kept her baby, it would mean waiting another 18 years for the Winbury inheritance.

So, Abby crushes some drugs into a glass of orange juice, gives it to Merritt, and then suggests they take a swim—where she ultimately drowns Merritt. Ironically, the police zero in on Abby due to her husband Thomas, who is questioned over his bizarre habit of stealing prescription drugs, especially since drugs were found in Merritt’s body. In his eagerness to clear his name, Thomas quickly blames his mistress, Isabel Nallet, for murdering Merritt, claiming she must have done it so his access to the Winbury trust fund wouldn’t be delayed. The cops weren’t aware of the trust fund clause until then, which quickly makes Thomas’ wife Abby a suspect as well. Besides, Isabel reveals she had an alibi for that night, and footage from a car shows she was heading to a hotel with Thomas. Thus, Abby becomes the primary suspect and is ultimately arrested for murdering Merritt.

In the end, it’s all about money.

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I Feel Fine Review: Beneath the Smiles, a Teen Spirals in Silence

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

Several years ago, when I was just fresh out of college, a cousin of ours told us about how a very close friend of his woke up one Sunday at 8 a.m., like he always would, freshened up, made some tea for his parents, went to his room, and killed himself. Nobody understood why. That story came back to me while watching the 2024 film I Feel Fine by Austin Spicer and Hailey Spicer.

The movie follows protagonist Ozzy Taylor (Elijah Passmore), a charming, cheery, spirited teen who spends his free time driving around with his two close friends, playing pranks, or helping at home with chores. When surrounded by people, Ozzy is the “life of the party” type of guy, but the second he is left alone, he tends to spiral into a dark black hole of dangerous, intrusive thoughts, which often morph into suicidal ideation. As Ozzy struggles with several mental health challenges, his family and friends come together to support him in a battle they know little about.

Ozzy shares a great relationship with his musician dad, Donnie Taylor (Corin Nemec), a regular playful love-hate equation with his teen sister, Summer (Tori Passmore), and an endearingly comfortable bond with best friend Dru (Blake Amadeo). A gorgeous new girl in school named Mia (Nandi Summers) also catches Ozzy’s eye, promising a fresh romance in his life. I Feel Fine thus poignantly illustrates how everything might seem all right in someone’s life, yet they could still be grappling with inner demons that are hard to exorcise. It’s subtly hinted that Ozzy’s mom Margaret (Jana Lee Hamblin) is too busy with her offbeat business of selling bugs to spend adequate time with her kids, but it’s never highlighted as an issue.

With a 1-hour 48-minute runtime, I Feel Fine starts slow, and it takes a while for the plot to truly become gripping. But once you get familiar with Ozzy’s world and problems, the relaxed pace of the film feels more fitting. Elijah Passmore shoulders the varying moods of Ozzy with ease, lighting up the screen with his bright smile in the lighter moments of the film, then switching to the tormented teen who can’t stop himself from trying to die. Elijah Passmore might remind some viewers of actor Asa Germann, who also plays a troubled teen in Gen V and The Boys—though, in that case, a troubled teen with superpowers.

I Feel Fine often shifts between two distinct color palettes, with indoor scenes being darker and noir in tone, while outdoor settings are beautifully lush and green, reminiscent of The Kings of Summer. However, some of the family dinner scenes were oddly dimly lit, as if the Taylor family didn’t have adequate lighting. In fact, I initially thought I Feel Fine was set in the 1990s, not just because of the slightly retro aesthetics, but also due to the conspicuous lack of electronics throughout the runtime. If Ozzy and his friends hadn’t discussed Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry’s music in the first half, it would be hard to place the exact timeline of the story. Nonetheless, the distinct lack of social media and the internet was a welcome change in a teen movie dealing with serious themes. The background music, too, is refreshingly understated, rarely overpowering the plot.

The emotional graph of I Feel Fine balances highs and lows well. Just when you think things are getting worse, something nice happens, or vice-versa. Ozzy’s budding romance with Mia is sweet, and the filmmakers slip in a fitting tribute to James Stewart’s classic It’s a Wonderful Life, which also dealt with the theme of suicide, through a conversation between the two characters about movies. Despite her limited screen time, Nandi Summers delivers one of the more delicate moments of I Feel Fine, where Mia and Ozzy address what’s going on with him.

Ozzy’s turbulent mental health journey in the second half of I Feel Fine strangely reminded me of The Discomfort of Evening, a dark, unsettling, award-winning novel about a schoolgirl named Jas who obsesses over death and self-harm after the tragic death of her brother. Despite similar themes, Jas and Ozzy are worlds apart. Jas comes from a deeply religious, dysfunctional family where she is often ignored, leading to feelings of isolation and abandonment. But Ozzy’s fixation with dying is harder to understand, leaving both parents and viewers feeling helpless and frustrated over his ordeal. The climax is sad, heartbreaking, and leaves you with a sense of despair.

Rating: 3.5 on 5 stars.

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Raise Hell! Issue #5 Review

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

This issue is all about drama!

Issue #4 of Raise Hell! by Jordan Alsaqa ended with best friends Miri and Reeves having a big fight because Reeves made a joke about Miri being turned down by her crush, Renlo. Already devastated and heartbroken, Miri lashes out at Reeves, and both of them say mean things to each other. Now, they aren’t speaking, and Issue #5 focuses on the aftermath of their awful fight.

While Reeves is dragged to the mall for some shopping with her mom, Victor tries to convince Miri to make amends with their friend while the two go out hunting for a tape with a banned episode of a popular mecha anime. There’s just a little bit of magic, mischief, and danger in this issue. Surprisingly, Allistair, the impish little red demon bound to the three friends, doesn’t do much in this issue. However, he does mention how the friction between the friends is negatively affecting his existence. So, the sooner everybody patches things up, the better it will be for Allistair.

Even though I really enjoyed the first three issues of Raise Hell! a lot, I feel like it’s meandering now and isn’t as fun anymore. At least the last issue featured some comedic moments, but this fifth edition was pretty flat and uninteresting. Although things do end with a wicked twist—one of the friends goes over to the dark side and is ready to raise some hell.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5. Raise Hell! is also on Kindle Unlimited.

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The Perfect Couple Review: Ace Cast Anchors Beachy Wobbly Whodunit

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

A super-rich couple has been married for 29 years—we’re talking ‘can murder someone and get away with it’ rich—so how ‘perfect’ can they really be?

Created by Jenna Lamia and Susanne Bier, the 2024 Netflix murder mystery series The Perfect Couple is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand. Nicole Kidman plays Greer Garrison Winbury, a wildly successful author married to Tag Winbury (Liev Schreiber), who comes from old money. The couple is all set to host a lavish beach wedding in Nantucket for their middle son Benji (Billy Howle) and his bride Amelia Sacks (Eve Hewson), a beautiful young woman he fell in love with while watching her work at a zoo. However, a murder investigation halts the celebrations when Amelia’s maid of honor, Merritt (Meghann Fahy), washes up dead on the beach on the morning of the wedding.

The Winburys’ beachside property is stunning, and so are all the drone shots of Nantucket’s gorgeous blue waters, sand, and pretty buildings. Six episodes long, The Perfect Couple certainly gets its visual elements right, featuring a groovy intro title song with the cast joyously dancing during the wedding eve celebrations. But for a murder-mystery-thriller, it takes a long time for the series to finally get interesting. The first few episodes are far too slow, pretentious, and annoyingly drive home the age-old message we’ve seen in countless films—rich families are largely made up of insufferable jerks. While the last two climactic episodes lean towards dark comedy, the same ‘not-so-serious’ tone is missing in the first half of the series. What begins as a serious psychological thriller, such as Fool Me Once, shifts toward the comedic mystery style of Glass Onion, two vastly different titles.

The investigation into Merritt’s death is led by cops Dan Carter (Michael Beach) and Nikki Henry (Donna Lynne Champlin), and their characters get more screen time than is necessary to keep the thriller pacy. Until the duo can figure out who killed Merritt, nobody can leave the island. The devastated Amelia is stuck with her future in-laws, which include Benji’s prick of an older brother Thomas Winbury (Jack Reynor), Thomas’ caustic pregnant wife Abby (Dakota Fanning), and the youngest teen brother Will (Sam Nivola). Thomas is so toxic that Benji picked his childhood friend Shooter Dival (Ishaan Khatter) to be his best man, despite being Thomas’ best man in the past. As the investigation progresses, several secrets of the Winbury family and friends come out, making the police wonder if there’s more to Merritt’s death than meets the eye.

Everybody in the cast is fantastic, but none of the characters are likable, and with six episodes to go, they can become overbearing. For instance, Nicole Kidman is excellent as the ice-queen Greer Garrison Winbury, a hoity-toity big-shot author who doesn’t seem to approve of Amelia and is always micro-managing everybody. She is obsessed with maintaining a ‘perfect family’ façade for the press, especially since she is consistently churning out novels and is in the limelight. Interestingly, Nicole also played an author in her last Netflix film A Family Affair, but her author avatar in that was a lot ‘chiller’. While Greer is all about work, Liev Schreiber’s Tag is all about alcohol, weed, and play.

Isabelle Adjani is entertainingly comical as Isabel Nallet, an old family friend and a French-spouting seductress who is sleeping with a younger married man. Dendrie Taylor and Michael McGrady play Amelia’s sweet, simple parents, Karen and Bruce Sacks. Karen suffers from cancer, and due to her deteriorating health, Benji and Amelia’s wedding is fast-tracked, which becomes a significant point of contention in the series. The first thought that popped into my head when Merritt is found dead in the first episode was: did someone kill her just to cancel the wedding? Of course, that’s a ridiculous and extremely frivolous reason to murder someone, but you never know with wealthy individuals.

While two characters have obvious motives to murder the vivacious Merritt, a lot of circumstantial evidence leads to the cops getting conflicted between multiple suspects, much like a classic Agatha Christie mystery. And in a nice little nod to the queen of murder mysteries, Greer Garrison Winbury says, “I had an Agatha Christie obsession, didn’t I?” when asked about the inspiration for her own books. And of course, we have the usual red herrings.

Given the talented cast, The Perfect Couple could have been much more entertaining if the creators had maintained a consistent tone and trimmed down the ‘bookish’ banter with more believable, conversational dialogue. Regardless, it manages to pick up pace in the climactic episode and throws in two good twists that wrap the investigation with an unlikely ending.

Rating: 6 on 10. You can watch The Perfect Couple on Netflix.

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When I Arrived at the Castle: Graphic Novel Review

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)

When the graphic novel “When I Arrived at the Castle” showed up on my ‘recommendations’ section, it instantly made me think of Shirley Jackson’s gothic horror novel “We’ve Always Lived in the Castle.” Both books fall in the same genre, but “When I Arrived at the Castle” by Emily Carroll is a lot more fantastical in nature, like a mash between “Carmilla” and “Twilight”. Instead of werewolves, there’s a human-like cat out to kill a vampire.

“When I Arrived at the Castle” fittingly starts on a dark, cold, rainy night, when the protagonist, a cat-like young lady, walks into the castle of a vampiric countess, with the motive to kill. However, the mysterious countess has a strange magical hold over her guest and what unfolds next is a violent tale of blood, lust, confusion, and revenge. Told through the furry cat-lady’s perspective, the narration in the graphic novel is often poetic and slightly cryptic.

The black-and-white artwork, with the occasional blazing red blood splatter, in this graphic novel is absolutely mesmerising —and grotesque when needed. Emily Carroll draws the vampiric countess as a classic femme fatale, blending Morticia Addams’ imposing aloofness with the bold, fearless sensuality of a young Cher. The cat-lady on the other hand is drawn like a cute, chubby human cat, who looks like little Red Riding Hood walking into the wolf’s lair.

Emily Caroll infuses “When I Arrived at the Castle” with a bunch of fairy tales, not the sanitised Disney versions, but dark, grim incomplete stories where readers don’t know what really happens in the end. But each story is about a young woman in a troubled situation, who is counselled by a cat and pointed towards a castle’s direction. Most readers must do a double take to understand what really happens in the violent climactic events of the novel, which is filled with disturbing body horror and imagery. Let’s just say the vampire doesn’t prevail in this tale.

I wish the graphic novel were slightly longer (it’s only 72 pages long), and not as cryptic as it appears to be, and if I hadn’t read the blurb for the book, I would never classify “When I Arrived at the Castle” under “sapphic erotica”. Even though, sure, there’s palpable sexual tension between the leading ladies of this story. On the other hand, you’d tend to view the countess’ intimate interest in anybody who walks through her door as her general thirst for blood and need to play with her prey before she consumes them.

Overall, “When I Arrived at the Castle” is a decent read, it’s the art that makes it worth your time.

Rating: 3 on 5.

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Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina Are ‘Siblings vs The World’ in Jigra Trailer

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“Maa ko bhagwaan le gaye. Papa ne khud ki jaan le li. Dur ke rishtedaaro ne panah di, par bhaari kiraaya vasool kiya…”

Alia Bhatt’s character reflects on her haunting childhood in the opening moments of the official Jigra trailer, a gripping thriller about a sister willing to go to any lengths to protect her brother.

Directed by Vasan Bala (Monica, O My Darling / Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota / Ray), Jigra stars Alia Bhatt in the lead role, while Vedang Raina, known for his debut as Reggie Mantle in the bubbly teen drama The Archies, plays her brother. From the rich, suave teen heartthrob, it’s a completely new challenging role for the newcomer.

A remixed version of the 1971 classic hit “Phoolon Ka Taron Ka,” an anthem celebrating sibling love, plays throughout the trailer. However, the creators seem to reveal much of the storyline—it’s about Alia’s character plotting to break her brother out of prison. This bears a resemblance to the recent Netflix thriller Savi, which followed a ‘simple’ housewife trying to free her husband from a London jail. Hopefully, Jigra delves into a different narrative twist, only then will it be a more entertaining watch.

Though the trailer lacks the intrigue expected of a thriller, it compensates by showcasing Alia’s emotional depth. After a brief cameo as a tech expert in Heart of Stone, Alia Bhatt takes center stage once again, steering Jigra as its fierce protagonist. Jigra is expected to release on October 11.

You can catch the trailer now on YouTube. It’s also embedded below.