Shaitan. Movie [2024]

Shaitaan is a battle between good and evil, wrapped in a domestic thriller package. The story follows the Kabra family—Kabir, Jyoti, and their two children—who embark on a relaxing weekend getaway to a secluded hill-station bungalow. Their trip turns into a nightmare when they encounter a mysterious stranger, Vanraj Kashyap. What starts as polite conversation quickly spirals into a terrifying psychological siege when Vanraj takes control of the family's teenage daughter, Janhvi, using black magic to turn her against her own family.

The Shaitan movie acted as a launchpad for the "Indie Wave" of the 2010s. It proved that a non-star cast, a dark subject, and a hyper-violent tone could attract a niche, loyal audience.

Furthermore, Shaitan influenced a generation of streaming thrillers. Without Shaitan, you likely wouldn't have the gritty, morally gray crime shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime today.

Yes, specifically for the acting.

Bejoy Nambiar’s direction in the Shaitan movie is audacious. He borrows from Guy Ritchie and Tarantino but stamps it with a distinctly Indian sense of unease.

The film uses:

One scene, in particular, stands as a masterpiece of tension: the 10-minute single-shot sequence where the group discusses the kidnapping plan in a moving car. It feels claustrophobic, real, and unbearably tense.