Fear Movie Review: Promising psychological thriller with missed potential
Fear Movie Review: Critics Rating: 2.0 stars, click to give your rating/review,Despite Vedhika’s earnest performance, the film is let down by its underwhelming execution.
Critic's Rating: 2.0/5
Story: Sindhu (Vedhika), a young woman, finds herself spiralling into a world of fear and paranoia after her boyfriend, Sampath (Arvind Krishna), travels for work. Strange occurrences plague her life, leaving her questioning the boundary between reality and her imagination. The story weaves through Sindhu’s past, uncovering childhood traumas and their psychological ramifications, as she battles her inner demons, the narrative attempts to unearth the root of her fears, spanning multiple timelines to present a complex psychological puzzle.
Review: Director Dr. Haritha Gogineni takes a brave step into the realm of psychological thrillers, a genre rarely explored in Telugu cinema. However, Fear struggles to hold the audience’s attention due to its disjointed screenplay and uneven pacing. While the premise holds promise, the film falters in execution, with abrupt timeline shifts that confuse rather than intrigue.
Vedhika delivers a compelling performance, carrying the film's weight on her shoulders, particularly in the pre-climactic and climactic scenes where her portrayal of Sindhu’s psychological unraveling feels authentic. Unfortunately, the supporting cast, including Arvind Krishna and Pavitra Lokesh, is underutilised, with their characters lacking the depth needed to make a significant impact. Anish Kuruvilla takes on the role of a doctor who provides insights into the condition. The ensemble cast also features Sayaji Shinde, Jayaprakash, Satya Krishnan, and Sahithi Dasari.
The technical aspects are a mixed bag. The cinematography and background score, though serviceable, fail to create the eerie atmosphere essential for a psychological thriller. The editing, too, leaves much to be desired.
Fear raises important issues surrounding mental health but fails to present them with the sensitivity or depth they deserve. What could have been a gripping exploration of the human psyche instead ends up as a muddled narrative.
Despite Vedhika’s earnest performance, Fear is let down by its underwhelming execution. A more polished output could have transformed this film into a memorable psychological thriller. For now, it remains an ambitious effort that misses the mark.
Review: Director Dr. Haritha Gogineni takes a brave step into the realm of psychological thrillers, a genre rarely explored in Telugu cinema. However, Fear struggles to hold the audience’s attention due to its disjointed screenplay and uneven pacing. While the premise holds promise, the film falters in execution, with abrupt timeline shifts that confuse rather than intrigue.
Vedhika delivers a compelling performance, carrying the film's weight on her shoulders, particularly in the pre-climactic and climactic scenes where her portrayal of Sindhu’s psychological unraveling feels authentic. Unfortunately, the supporting cast, including Arvind Krishna and Pavitra Lokesh, is underutilised, with their characters lacking the depth needed to make a significant impact. Anish Kuruvilla takes on the role of a doctor who provides insights into the condition. The ensemble cast also features Sayaji Shinde, Jayaprakash, Satya Krishnan, and Sahithi Dasari.
The technical aspects are a mixed bag. The cinematography and background score, though serviceable, fail to create the eerie atmosphere essential for a psychological thriller. The editing, too, leaves much to be desired.
Fear raises important issues surrounding mental health but fails to present them with the sensitivity or depth they deserve. What could have been a gripping exploration of the human psyche instead ends up as a muddled narrative.
Despite Vedhika’s earnest performance, Fear is let down by its underwhelming execution. A more polished output could have transformed this film into a memorable psychological thriller. For now, it remains an ambitious effort that misses the mark.
