Amavas

[spslf]

*Amavas* is an unintentionally hilarious attempt at horror that suffers from a lack of focus and coherence. Directed with a kitchen-sink approach, the film flits between genres—starting as a *Rebecca* spin-off, dabbling in revenge drama and murder mystery, before finally settling on supernatural horror. The result is a mishmash of ideas that fails to deliver in any of these genres.

The story follows Karan (Sachiin Joshi) and Aahana (Nargis Fakhri), a recently engaged couple who visit Karan’s gloomy summer house on the outskirts of London. The mansion, resembling a knockoff Wayne Manor, is anything but inviting. Things go awry as mysterious occurrences and Karan’s recurring migraines lead to the revelation of a ghostly presence. Aahana turns to Karan’s long-time psychiatrist (Mona Singh), whose belief in the supernatural provides the couple with the tools to confront the spirit. Ironically, the ghost’s motive is neither revenge nor unresolved trauma but the rather absurd aspiration of living a rich life.

The film's screenplay is a mess, with poor pacing and frequent tonal shifts that make it hard to take seriously. The editing lacks polish, leaving scenes disjointed and devoid of tension. The SFX, particularly the ghost’s exit from Karan’s body, feels more comedic than chilling. While Gothic mansions and jump scares are standard elements in horror, their execution here falls flat, resulting in unintended laughter rather than fear.

The lead performances also drag the film down. Sachiin Joshi and Nargis Fakhri display little chemistry and appear disengaged, rendering their romantic subplot awkward and unconvincing. Mona Singh’s character provides some unintentional humor with her ghost-busting logic, but even that isn’t enough to salvage the narrative.

In the end, *Amavas* feels more like a horror spoof than a genuine attempt to scare, though that wasn’t the director’s intention. Its absurdities and lackluster execution make it difficult to recommend, even as a guilty pleasure.