Demonte Colony

R. Ajay Gnanamuthu's 2015 debut takes the name of Demonte Colony, a real district in Chennai attached to urban legend. Four friends enter an abandoned mansion on a whim, and by the time they realise they have brought an evil spirit home there is no escape. The story runs the classic horror template, though the connection to local legend gives the film its own footing. Despite the small budget the sound design and use of location are effective, with the fear coming largely from darkness and confined space. Its weakness is that the four characters are not sufficiently distinguished and that the explanatory sections in the second half lower the tension. It was an unexpected commercial success in Tamil horror and produced a sequel. Who it's for: viewers who like Tamil horror and productions built on urban legend. Who it's not for: anyone who dislikes horror driven by jump scares, or wanting character depth.