American horror films featuring demons generally have a Christian bent, so a Hindu spin on this subgenre is enticing for its potential to breathe new life into well-trodden terrain. But while Bishal Dutta’s It Lives Inside follows through on its promise of representation in terms of its cast full of Indian and Indian American actors, the film’s attempts at actual cultural specificity are about as nuanced as a “very special episode” of a Disney sitcom.
It Lives Inside offers a brief peek at Hindu religious festivities inside Samidha’s (Megan Suri) house, and Sam’s loving mother, Poorna (Neeru Bajwa), primarily speaks to her daughter in Hindi. One gets a sense that the girl’s feelings of shame are tied to her sense of otherness (she’s one of only two Indian Americans at her high school), but otherwise there’s little to distinguish Sam from the disaffected...
It Lives Inside offers a brief peek at Hindu religious festivities inside Samidha’s (Megan Suri) house, and Sam’s loving mother, Poorna (Neeru Bajwa), primarily speaks to her daughter in Hindi. One gets a sense that the girl’s feelings of shame are tied to her sense of otherness (she’s one of only two Indian Americans at her high school), but otherwise there’s little to distinguish Sam from the disaffected...
- 8/15/2023
- by Derek Smith
- Slant Magazine
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.