Deemak: A Quiet, Haunting Take a look at the Horror Inside
In Deemak, whispers echo by empty hallways, beds shift on their very own, termites crawl throughout sheets, and the sluggish drip of water from a bath faucet turns into a harbinger of one thing sinister. However this is not simply one other haunted home story—Deemak is a psychological horror movie primarily based on true occasions from Balochistan, the place the supernatural meets deeply rooted household trauma.
The movie attracts inspiration from horror author Ayesha Muzaffar, finest recognized for her e-book Jinnistan and her well-liked Instagram web page Abusjinns, which showcases fictional horror tales grounded in South Asian folklore. Having as soon as labored with Muzaffar as her editor, I used to be wanting to see how her creativeness would translate from web page to display screen.
Directed by Rafay Rashdi, Deemak is a slow-burn thriller that leans into silence, pressure, and cultural unease. The movie begins in a grand however getting older home stuffed with darkish wooden, lengthy curtains, and too many shadows. At its heart is a household attempting to operate regardless of underlying tensions that solely worsen as unexplained occasions start to unfold.
Veteran actor Jawed Sheikh seems because the late Mehmood, the household patriarch. Faysal Quraishi performs Faraz, a conflicted man caught between his spouse, Hiba (Sonya Hussyn), and his paralyzed mom, Dado (Samina Peerzada). The solid is rounded out by Bushra Ansari, who makes a late however impactful look as issues spiral past management. Every actor brings weight and restraint to roles that would simply veer into melodrama.
At its core, Deemak explores the strained dynamic between Hiba and her mother-in-law. Hiba is a brand new mom, overwhelmed by her tasks. Dado, as soon as a commanding presence, is now bedridden and silent, after a mysterious fall. Her nurse, Iqra, leaves abruptly after witnessing unexplainable habits, forcing Hiba to look after her alone—simply as the home begins turning in opposition to them.
Set throughout the Covid pandemic, the story good points a layer of realism—assistance is scarce, isolation is intense, and the psychological toll is actual. Hiba’s kids, Rafay and Rumaisa, are the primary to note unusual occurrences, however their warnings go unheeded, deepening the dread.
The horror in Deemak is extra emotional than explosive. The title, which interprets to “termite,” serves as a chilling metaphor for inside decay—inside the home, the household, and the self. Trauma, resentment, and guilt fester beneath the floor, extra terrifying than any ghost.
Visually, the movie is spectacular. The CGI, produced with the assistance of a Canadian group, avoids extra, providing refined however efficient moments: levitating beds, flickering lights, and shifting shadows. Sound design is a standout—creaks, whispers, and distant cries construct suspense with out counting on loud scares.
Samina Peerzada is very haunting in her near-silent position. Her slight facial actions convey worry, malice, and vulnerability suddenly. Quraishi and Hussyn are equally compelling, grounding the movie with emotional authenticity.
Within the evolving panorama of Pakistani horror, Deemak stands out. The place earlier movies like Zibahkhana or Aksbandh leaned into gore or discovered footage, Deemak opts for psychological depth. It joins In Flames (2023) in shifting the style towards one thing extra considerate and emotionally resonant.
The movie ends quietly, with no dramatic decision. As an alternative, it leaves a lingering sense of unease. Like termites, trauma consumes from inside, feeding on what we refuse to face. Deemak doesn’t goal to terrify with spectacle—it unsettles by revealing how fragile our internal worlds may be.
It could not redefine horror, however Deemak presents one thing uncommon: a Pakistani movie that makes use of worry to inform a human story. And that, in itself, is haunting sufficient.
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