Under the Shadow (2016)

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Brilliant. That's all I'm gonna say... Watch it ASAP.

Babak Anvari's directorial debut is something not to miss, if you are a true horror fan. A Persian-language horror film is not something that frequently gets the media attention of the Western world."Under the Shadow" takes place in the 80's during the post-revolutionary war between Iran and Iraq. It follows a family of three living in a Tehran bombarded by missile attacks. The husband is a medical doctor who is called up to the war front to help the wounded, leaving behind his wife and young daughter. The attacks before more and more intense, but yet Shideh, now alone, does not want to leave together with her daughter, Dorsa, to her parents and instead chooses to remain in the apartment building that's crumbling from all the bombing. If the fear of the ongoing war was not enough, a mysterious being called Djinn begins to haunt their house. This leaves them with absolutely no choice at this point, if they leave the house enemy soldiers or bombing could be their demise, if they stay at home the evil spirit might claim their souls.You can actually feel Shideh's desperation as she and her daughter get cornered constantly. Apart from the terrifying atmosphere the film also adds excitement with one or two jump scares.The premise is quite interesting from a foreigner's point of view and to sense the Iranian life and torment during the post-revolutionary war is staggering. The social subtexts the writers are implying is food for thought, leaving the impression of a confined paradise that Shideh had in her apartment packed with a VCR or casual clothing, things that were dangerous to possess."Under the Shadow" is a good horror film that doesn't rely on Hollywood formulas. It's definitely an interesting entry from the Middle East film industry.

I saw this movie had a 98% on rotten tomatoes and was on lists as being one of the best horror movies. Not only was it not scary, it wasn't even remotely believable.From not leaving a specified missile launch target city to staying around til last minute for a doll of all things I was just in shock at how annoying a plot line can be. I know horror movies aren't the best at chasing the realistic side of things, but this one didn't even try.As far as actual scare tactics, I didn't even feel a sense the daughter was fully possessed or even under some spell, which is what made other spirit movies horrifying to me (i.e. babadook). The ghost itself didn't even seem to be malevolent, and because I didn't feel any pressing danger, I couldn't even allow myself to feel tense or scared.For what it was, it was an okay done movie, acting all around was decent, only gold star goes to the daughter who really knocked it out of the park. Is it scary? No. Is it a good commentary on the political nature of women in the middle east? sure. Would I recommend it to a friend? No.Waiting and waiting for something to happen and it just didn't come.

Greetings from Lithuania.So when you think that movie makers have set their horror movies in all possible settings yet, something like "Under the Shadow" (2016) comes along. This is good horror / ghost story set in a totally unique place, a war-torn Tehran of the 1980s. Sure there is a house and a creepy basement, but hey, non horror movie won't work without those "ingredients". "Under the Shadow" is a very well directed, written and superbly played horror / drama. This is not a horror fest from start till finish, as a horror story kicks in in around mid of the movie, but by then we get to know the characters, setting and drama surrounding them. By then this movie worked for me as a good drama, but when the supernatural things started - they got me total by surprise and that what made this into a very good little ghost / horror story.Overall, if you love horror movies, "Under the Shadow" is not to be missed on. It has unique setting, unique take on a "ghost" and enough chills to make you turn then light on going into the bathroom after credits of this movie will start rolling. It did for me at least.