The film builds a palpable sense of dread
With the spooky season creeping up on us, the hunt for the perfect horror film is officially on.
If you’re tired of the usual Hollywood jump scares and predictable plots, why not look at South Indian films for your cinematic chills?
The South Indian film industry has crafted some innovative and genuinely terrifying horror stories in recent years.
These films masterfully weave together ancient folklore, deep psychological horror, and cultural nuances to create a unique and unforgettable viewing experience.
Forget what you think you know about horror; this is a journey into a world where every shadow holds a secret and every story is steeped in tradition.
Here are 10 South Indian horror films to stream.
Masooda
This 2022 Telugu-language horror film throws a single mother, Neelam (Sangeetha), and her daughter, Nazia (Bandhavi Sridhar), into a terrifying ordeal.
When Nazia begins to exhibit disturbing and unnatural behaviour, Neelam, with the help of her well-meaning but cowardly neighbour Gopi (Thiruveer), must confront a malevolent spirit named Masooda.
The film builds a palpable sense of dread as they seek help from exorcists to save Nazia from the clutches of the vengeful ghost.
Available on Prime Video, Masooda stands out for its atmospheric tension and its compelling performances.
Bhoothakaalam
Bhoothakaalam, a 2022 Malayalam psychological horror, masterfully blurs the line between mental illness and the supernatural.
The story follows a mother, Asha (Revathy), and her son, Vinu (Shane Nigam), who are grappling with their own personal demons in a new home.
As Vinu begins to experience strange occurrences, the film cleverly leaves the audience questioning whether the house is truly haunted or if the characters are succumbing to their own psychological distress.
Directed by Rahul Sadasivan and available to stream on SonyLIV, Bhoothakaalam is a powerful exploration of grief, trauma, and clinical depression.
Maa Oori Polimera
Set in a rural Telangana village, this 2021 horror-thriller delves into the dark world of black magic and witchcraft.
When a series of mysterious deaths plagues the village, two brothers, Komaraiah (Satyam Rajesh) and Jangaiah (Baladitya), find themselves at the centre of a sinister plot.
The film weaves a gripping narrative of superstition, betrayal, and the terrifying consequences of dabbling in the occult.
Maa Oori Polimera is a chilling tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its shocking conclusion.
It is available on Disney+ Hotstar and for even more chills, there is a sequel.
Andhaghaaram
Released in 2020, Andhaghaaram is a Tamil supernatural thriller that intricately weaves together the lives of three seemingly unconnected men: a blind librarian (Vinoth Kishan) with occult abilities, a guilt-ridden cricket coach (Arjun Das), and a psychiatrist (Kumar Natarajan).
As their stories converge, they find themselves entangled in a web of paranormal events and a vengeful spirit’s sinister plan.
The film is a complex and atmospheric journey into the heart of darkness, with a non-linear narrative that will challenge and reward the viewer.
For Netflix subscribers in India, this is a horror film to check out.
Bhaagamathie
Anushka Shetty delivers a powerhouse performance in this 2018 Telugu and Tamil horror-thriller, which is available to stream on Prime Video.
She plays an IAS officer, Chanchala Reddy, who is imprisoned in a haunted bungalow for interrogation.
As she spends time in the dilapidated mansion, she becomes possessed by the spirit of Bhaagamathie, a vengeful queen from the past.
The film cleverly combines elements of horror, political intrigue, and historical drama to create a truly unique and compelling cinematic experience.
Aval
Available on Apple TV, Aval introduces us to Dr Krishnakumar (Siddharth), a successful neurosurgeon, and his wife, Lakshmi (Andrea Jeremiah).
Their peaceful life is shattered when a new family moves in next door.
The neighbour’s troubled teenage daughter, Jenny (Anisha Victor), becomes the target of an evil spirit, and the two families must unite to fight the supernatural forces that threaten to consume them all.
Aval is a genuinely scary and well-crafted horror story that will make you think twice about who your neighbours are.
Pisaasu
This 2014 Tamil horror-drama from acclaimed director Mysskin offers a unique and poignant take on the genre.
An upcoming violinist, Siddharth (Naga), is haunted by the ghost of a young woman he tried to save after a hit-and-run.
However, he soon discovers that the spirit does not want to harm him. Instead, she is trying to protect him and lead him to her killer.
Available on Disney+ Hotstar, Pisaasu is a beautifully crafted film that is both a chilling ghost story and a moving tale of love, loss, and redemption.
Pizza
In what was Karthik Subbaraj’s directorial debut, Pizza has become a cult classic and inspired several remakes.
Pizza deliveryman Michael (Vijay Sethupathi) finds himself trapped in a bungalow where he witnesses a series of terrifying paranormal events.
The film is a masterclass in suspense and misdirection, with a twist ending that will leave you stunned.
Pizza is a must-watch South Indian film for any fan of the horror genre, and a testament to the power of a well-told story.
Yavarum Nalam
Yavarum Nalam was simultaneously filmed in Hindi and Tamil, and it is a psychological horror that taps into our modern-day obsession with television.
A family moves into a new apartment where its new patriarch, Manohar (R Madhavan), becomes hooked on a TV serial that eerily mirrors their own lives.
When the show takes a dark and sinister turn, the family finds themselves living out a real-life horror story.
The film is a clever and original take on the haunted house trope, with a suspenseful plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Manichitrathazhu
When it comes to iconic South Indian horror films, 1993’s Manichitrathazhu is one of the first that comes to mind.
The Malayalam masterpiece follows a young couple, Ganga (Shobana) and Nakulan (Suresh Gopi), who move into an ancestral mansion that is believed to be haunted by the spirit of a vengeful dancer named Nagavalli.
When Ganga becomes possessed by Nagavalli’s spirit, a brilliant but eccentric psychiatrist, Dr Sunny Joseph (Mohanlal), is called in to unravel the mystery.
Manichitrathazhu is a timeless classic that has been remade in several languages, a testament to its enduring power to terrify and fascinate audiences.
South Indian cinema has a rich and diverse tradition of horror filmmaking, offering a wide array of scares to suit every taste.
From the psychological to the supernatural, these films explore the darkest corners of the human psyche and the ancient fears that haunt us all.
So if you’re a fan of horror or looking for a film with a scary twist, check out the terrifying delights that South Indian horror has to offer.
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