Connect Review: Nayantharas Film Offers Unadulterated Horror Experience
Ashwin Saravanan is fast becoming one of the most exciting directors with his unique voice and style. After making a strong impression in films like Maya and Game Over, he will team up with Nayanthara for his latest release Connect. The film is undoubtedly one of the best horror films Tamil cinema has produced. Unlike most horror films, Konek doesn't rely on spooky jumps, but believes in delivering a seamless terror experience. The film is truly unique in that it manages to build tension without resorting to the usual horror clichés. (Also Read | Promotional Links: Anupam Kher forces Nayanthara to constantly cast his son in horror film )
The film begins in a cabin by the sea and we are introduced to a beautiful family. His teenage daughter Anna (Hania Nafisa) is passionate about music and wants to attend Trinity College London to follow in his footsteps. The father (Vinay) supports Anna's ambition and convinces her to follow her dreams. But the mother (Nayanthara) feels that she cannot leave without completing her regular studies. The conversation takes place 24 hours before the national lockdown. The next scene announces a shutdown due to the widespread spread of Covid-19. Nayanthara and her son stayed together for the next 21 days. A few days after birth, the mother and daughter begin self-isolation after testing positive for the virus. But her daughter is showing strange symptoms and her grandfather (Sathyaraj), who communicates with her via video call, is sure that she is not well. Their fears come true when they find out that Anna is a disgrace and Nayanthara has to deal with the situation alone.
As a horror film, Konek never rushes to captivate audiences with spooky jumps. It takes time to set the mood and tone, making the whole experience incredibly immersive. Image and sound play a key role in creating a special communication horror film. Since this is a locked-down thriller set in one location, all dialogue between the characters takes place on a digital screen. The cinematography is like a first-person shooter as you immediately feel at home when the camera moves. This kind of shooting also makes the jump scare moments really creative. There is a sad scene where Sathyaraj tries to explain to Nayanthara that his daughter is evil, but she does not believe him. This is one of the best scenes in the film. Most of the scenes were shot with limited lighting and the results are truly groundbreaking.
Nayanthara is at her best in Konek, but the real take off of the film is Haniya Nafeesa, who has some great scenes as she falls. It's an impressive start for him. Sathyaraj and Vinay have useful guest appearances and play their roles very convincingly. Anupam Kher shines in a small but very effective cameo. Music and cinematography play a very important role in making Connect a great cinematic experience.
Movie: Join us
Directed by Ashwin Saravanan
Starring: Nayanthara, Hania Nafisa, Anupam Kher, Sathyaraj and Vinay.
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