Murmur

I usually support Tamil horror films, but Murmur is nothing but a massive letdown. The whole movie feels like a gimmick wrapped in fancy packaging. The story is weak, the acting is average at best, and the "found footage" concept is poorly executed - half the time you can't even understand what's happening on screen.

What makes it worse is the way this movie is being pushed everywhere online. All the 4-star and 5-star reviews clearly feel like paid promotions. Don't fall for the hype. It's not horror - it's boredom with background noise. Waste of time, waste of money.

Kne single word is garbage.

Found-footage or POV movies may have been a rage several years ago in the West but it is still a new concept in India. Even slasher movies are unknown in India. Ouija boards are a novelty even in the West so the director had an uphill task using it in this movie. This movie offers nothing new that Western audiences have not seen. For its intended audience in India, it can be fun though. Older viewers who are used to formulaic masala movies may be shocked (no songs!) but younger audiences who are used to Youtube and social media will take to this movie like duck to water.

Things I did not like: Foul language used by almost everyone, even by the non-Tamil guy. No date/timestamps on the videos.

Things that could have been better: All characters seem to be voiced by easily recognizable dubbing artists used by the advertising industry; No explanation of the science behind how the slider moves on an Ouija board or the popular belief that it is driven by spirits.

I liked: The humour.

Murmur" (2025) attempts to deliver a psychological thriller with a focus on suspense and mystery, but ultimately falls flat due to its weak plot, uninspired execution, and lack of genuine thrills. The film's attempts at creating tension and intrigue are hampered by predictable twists, underdeveloped characters, and a general lack of originality.

The film's narrative revolves around a series of mysterious events that unfold in a secluded setting, attempting to create an atmosphere of paranoia and suspense. However, the plot feels convoluted and lacks a clear sense of direction, making it difficult to engage with the story or connect with the characters.

The performances are underwhelming, with the actors struggling to bring life to their poorly written characters. The attempts at creating tension often feel forced and artificial, failing to generate any genuine sense of unease or suspense.

The film's visual aesthetic is bland and uninspired, lacking the creativity and artistry needed to create a truly immersive and unsettling atmosphere. The soundtrack is equally forgettable, failing to enhance the film's emotional impact.

The film's attempts at social commentary or psychological exploration feel shallow and underdeveloped, lacking the depth and nuance needed to make a meaningful impact. The ending is predictable and unsatisfying, leaving the viewer with a sense of disappointment and wasted time.

Overall, "Murmur" is a disappointing thriller that fails to deliver on its premise. Its weak plot, uninspired execution, and lack of genuine thrills make it a forgettable and ultimately frustrating cinematic experience.

While the plot was weak and the acting fairly average, the film still managed to deliver some solid jump scares. Given how low my expectations have become for Tamil horror films-thanks to the many cringe-worthy horror-comedy hybrids-I was pleasantly surprised.

Unlike most Tamil horror movies that awkwardly try to mix comedy with scares, this one took a more serious approach, which I appreciated. Some scenes genuinely spooked me and reminded me of Paranormal Activity in their execution.

That said, the dialogue and its delivery left a lot to be desired, and the casting could have been stronger. There were also several moments where logic went out the window-one of those cases where the story would've ended if the characters had made a single smart decision.

As someone who's seen countless Ouija board scenes in horror films, the basics are pretty clear-you form a circle, not a straight line. But in this movie, the scene felt completely off. Everyone sitting in a neat row just for the sake of camera coverage? It was laughable.

Still, despite its flaws, I'd say it was a decent attempt at a straight horror film.

Till the climax of the movie, all the characters do is sleep, sleep and sleep. In the name of found footage film, which is poorly edited, the pace only picks up near the climax. So if you feel to watch the movie even after reading this review, you mean that you are ready to waste time in your life. Still if you want to watch it, start the movie, watch it for 15 to 30 mins and directly skip to the climax.

There is only a little amount of acting effort, no writing effort, no musical effort, no editing effort from the cast and crew. Also, technically this one is the weakest of all horror flicks.

This movie is supposed to be a short film and now it is one of the biggest scams in cinema on people with respect to time and money.