Under the Shadow (2016)
Under the Shadows is an Iranian psychological horror movie that came out in 2016.
TL;DR This movie is about a mother and daughter who are targeted by a supernatural demon during the already war torn Iran amidst the attacks from Iraq.
Taking place in the 1980s lives a family smack dab in the middle of Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war where people still live in fear from the frequent missile strikes. Iraj, who is the patriarch of the family, gets called to duty far away as he is a doctor and has to doctor...people. Before he leaves, we see the tension between him and his wife, Shideh, not seeing eye to eye in varying topics. But nonetheless he departs from his family much to his dismay that Shideh shot down his wishes to stay with his family after a damn near 100% confirmation that their area is targeted for the next missle strike.
Dorsa, the only child, gets told by a neighboring boy about the Djinn and gave her a charm to ward off the demonic forces but Shideh yeets it in the trash which is pretty much the beginning of the end for this family and this supernatural entity is proceeds to haunt the hell out of the both of them.
Under the Shadow is quite the slow burner but it's a well done film and a definitely well paced movie. I loved the fact that this movie didn't rely a whole lot on jump scares which I think a fuck ton of modern American horror, specifically slasher flicks, does major over kill on and almost like it relies on those predictable jump scares accompanied with the stupid effects and everything else under the sun. This particular movie has some clever and strategic placements of the rare jump scares, if you can call it that. Not much of the creepy haunting music either which is also a plus because it can often be the eerie silence that is the most terrifying.
It's also sprinkled with a plethora a lot of psychological horrors that were plaguing both Shideh and yes, Dorsa too.
It's an insane plunge into darkness with this movie especially the way it ended. Not sure if I liked that ending but it left it open for a potential sequel if it was wanted. Let's face it though, most horror sequels suck so maybe this is best just being a one off movie.
All in all, I am utterly impressed with this movie. I never knew a whole lot about scary movies from the middle easterm side of the world but after watching the Indian horror film, Tumbbad it seriously piqued my interest to search for more like it. I think Tumbbad is one of the few movies I have willingly rewatched even after making my post about it. Such a crazy yet grisly movie and so perfectly disturbing. Probably one of my top 15 maybe even 10 scary movies ever.
I digress but Under the Shadow is just another example of how slow burn horror should be.
If this movie had a message, what would it be? Don't throw away shit, especially if it's to ward off dark entities.
Bonus Recommended Read: I loved this book when I was a teen and even though it's in no relation to this particular movie, it definitely reminded me of this graphic novel (the animated movie is great too)
Disclaimers. None I would think worth mentioning. I don't think there's even any blood?? Might need to rewatch to confirm.
Age demographics? It's a tame yet worthy intro to this genre so just about all ages.
With that being said, what is my verdict?
Nice and spooky and totally not overkill
If you are interested in watching Under the Shadow then please CLICK HERE to see which streaming service you can watch it on via the free streaming guide app JUSTWATCH!!
