Pari

Arnab is in a car accident on a rainy night. It emerges that the woman killed in it had a daughter chained in a house in the forest: Rukhsana. Arnab rescues her and takes her home temporarily. Rukhsana does not speak, is afraid of people, and knows nothing of ordinary life. At the same time a man is looking for her, and what brings him is not mercy. Prosit Roy's film departs from the familiar shapes of Indian horror; the narrative rests on the belief in ifrits in Bengali and Bangladeshi folklore, and behind it sits a cult running an order upon women's bodies. The film builds fear not with sudden noise but with a persistent discomfort. Anushka Sharma plays Rukhsana and is also a producer. Parambrata Chatterjee plays Arnab. Who it's for: Viewers who like Indian horror, folklore-based narratives, and atmosphere-driven films. Who it's not for: The violence and blood are direct and some scenes are deeply disturbing. The narrative also comes apart in the final section.