SMP Reviews
One of the things I enjoy about international horror films is the different approach and perspective of the stories as compared to western horror. Many are influenced by religious stories or mythology, yet still work in modern day cultural topics. A prime example is the new fantasy horror film called Bokshi, which premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam this week. Bokshi is a story about a teen named Anhita who is dealing with PTSD after suffering a brutal event that included the disappearance of her mother. To make matters worse, she is continually bullied for being the “weird one” and is haunted by terrible dreams. After transferring to a boarding school, Anhita meets Shalini, her history teacher, who seems to understand Anhita and becomes her ally. When on a school field trip to a prehistoric site, Anhita not only confronts her past but also realizes her true horrific destiny. Bokshi is a dark and emotional roller coaster ride with an ending you will not be prepared for. Director Bharga Saiki weaves together an engrossing story with the threads of coming of age, trauma, female liberation, human mistreatment of the Earth, mythology and horror. Saiki builds up a creepy atmosphere around Anhita in such a way where a flickering light can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I was so into the story that the extensive runtime just flew by. There are certain points where stylized and disturbing animation is skillfully used to present the mythology. All of these elements are used to effectively pull Anhita, and the audience, further into the darkness. When we first meet Anhita, she is a shy, troubled teen who has an embarrassing condition due to her trauma. She has a dad who tries to be sympathetic and a grandmother who is far less understanding. Anhita is played by Prasanna Bisht. She immediately makes you feel for her character with her performance. She plays this part perfectly. It is also interesting to see how she changes over the course of the film. It is not an immediate change but Bisht does subtle movements or changes with her hair and demeanor to help to convey the changes she is going through. My other favorite performance is from Mansi Multani who plays the teacher Shalini. Shalini is the exact opposite of Anhita. She is a strong, confident and at times a scary character. Multani and Bisht make you feel the strong bond between these two characters. I loved the interaction between them as Shalini helps Anhita gain confidence, deal with her trauma and teach her about her true self. Dagi Ngomdir is Rebecca, a student who befriends Anhita. There is an attraction between the two that is briefly explored. There is also an interesting turn they take with Rebecca that was unexpected but refreshing. When a story is named Bokshi, meaning “witch” in the Nepali language, you know there will be magic involved and you get plenty of it. I loved how it is portrayed here. Rather than using a lot of visual CGI effects, practical effects are used in combination with sharp editing and excellent performances. Like Anhita, we are pulled into this world of magic, gradually, allowing time to understand what is happening before hitting us with a bigger demonstration. By the last act you are full on board with whatever you witness. In the last fifteen minutes, everything gets dialed up to eleven. A number of scenes made me exclaim “Oh Damn!”. It is an excellent payoff for the journey.
Bokshi is not only an excellently crafted horror tale but its themes are relevant to all cultures around the world. It is a prime example of how horror can be a very effective tool to get your message across. If you are a fan of films like The Witch and Susperia, I think you will enjoy Bokshi. I think it will be in my top five horror films of 2025 by the end of the year.
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AuthorI have been reviewing films since high school. I love discussing films with those who share my passion for them. I also do video reviews on YouTube and on my podcast. Archives
January 2025
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