Welcome Home

It shows some dark secrets of society that was never covered. I was stunned by the violence. I feel that raising issues and expressing messages through films is a very good thing, of course, with guidance, because not everyone is able to filter information properly.

Two Schoolteachers go to an isolated house for census and what they encounter there is a Woman's worst nightmare. Based on a true story, this cabin thriller boasts of terrific performances and a riveting screenplay that is harrowing to watch for the viewers. Its strictly not for family and women will find it really difficult to sit through this. The theme of Women's horrifying subjugation at the hands of men is the core of the film. The cinematography is amazing for a film of this scale. But bad editing, some visual choices for budgetary reasons and excessive use of background score stops it from becoming a truly great film.

It's rare to see a slasher thriller that is this grounded especially in Indian films. The actors looked like real people and spoke in multiple languages instead of all of them speaking Hindi like how it would be in a state like Maharashtra that it kept taking me out of the film because how much Bollywood has been faking with its perfect Hindi for so long. The fact that this is based on a true story is not so much of a surprise nowadays if we follow the national news but it's still gruesome and despicable.

Though I am not a big fan of slasher flicks, Welcome Home really impressed me in many ways. There may be hundreds of such movies in Hollywood like this but only a handful movies are like this back home, and Welcome Home definitely is among the top 5 in that genre. The disclaimer at the teaser made me giggle, thinking that it is a marketing ploy, but this movie definitely needs one as it is definitely not for the light/Kind hearted. Lots of things add up since it's based on true events.

Screenplay and pacing was great to get us into the groove of the storyline. The director's ace storytelling leaves us on the edge of the seat for a good part of the first hour. Production design, makeup and costumes was excellent. Music and editing though generally good were a little patchy in a few places. Cinematography was very decent. Acting levels were surprisingly good by the two female leads throughout the movie. One has to really appreciate the producers to put money on such a subject, in a country like India.

Overall, a gritty and eerie movie throughout, which springs up surprises time and again. Yes, it is riddled with some logical loopholes, but which slasher movie isn't? Need thrills and frills watch this movie with volume turned up in a dimly lit room late night, the sound alone will do a lot of things in our heads. Not suitable for family viewing or for young viewers. For maximum effect better watch it late night with full sound. 6.8/10 stars.

A really unique story, keeps one engrossed for the whole time. If not for the highly illogical moments in the beginning, a great thriller.