The Pakistani film industry has been going through a one-of-a kind revival. A new generation of writers, directors and producers have brought a fresh energy to the big screen, now collaborating with international studios and attracting audiences from around the world. A product of this is Rafay Rashdi’s Deemak, set to release this Eid al-Adha.
Featuring actors like Faysal Quraishi, Samina Peerzada, Sonya Hussyn and Javed Sheikh, Deemak is a disturbing paranormal film based on the concept of deemak, or infestation that slowly feeds on homes, people and even relationships.
Not having many horror movies made in Pakistan, Deemak is a much awaited one, specially because of the names that are starring in it. Having had the chance to watch the movie on its premier night, here is my hot take on it.
Yes, it’s spoiler-free!
The Concept that Takes the Cake
For me, the concept of a film is its foundation; it is what makes or breaks it. Written by Ayesha Muzaffar aka the author of the infamous Abusjinns, Deemak was bound to have a solid storyline.
From the very beginning of the movie, you would feel the eeriness and discomfort; a good sign for any horror movie. This discomfort is built over the course of the movie not just through acting, but also through subliminal messages, for instance the appearance of Deemak in different corners of the house. It makes you wonder what all of it is leading to.
Deemak, an Urdu word for termite, feeds on decaying matter. In the film, you’ll not only see the literal presence of Deemak but also confront its metaphorical form: the slow, consuming nature of negativity.
The Film is Spooky!
Don’t go in the cinema expecting some Conjuring level horror, you’ll probably get disappointed. While the film might not be the scariest you’ll see, it is definitely spooky and will give you chills.
From the camerawork to the lighting, and especially the set design, everything evokes a chilling, old-world atmosphere, as if you’ve stepped into a place where the sun never shines and the walls whisper secrets. In Deemak’s case, they really do!
I would really commend Rafay Rashdi for creating this world that is not far off from our own. Everything in the movie is believable, and that’s what makes it so haunting.
The Performances Win Above All
It’s not like I didn’t know the main cast was talented, I just didn’t imagine them to be THIS good in a horror film. Seldom do actors know how to scare the audience, and mind you, Samina Peerzada and Sonya Hussain did it flawlessly.
Samina Peerzada
Lets starts off with Samina Peerzada. We’ve all seen how utterly talented Samina is throughout her career. To me, the one role that stood out the most was hers in the drama serial Bala. It was unlike anything I had seen before: completely shaking and traumatising.
Now imagine that same intensity, amplified tenfold, with a chilling paranormal twist. Yes, it was that good.
Samina Peerzada was phenomenal in her role as Kulsoom, aka Amma—a mother so obsessively attached to her son that she simply couldn’t let go, not after his marriage, not even after he had children.
To her, every wrong in the world could somehow be traced back to her daughter-in-law. But as the story unfolds, you begin to understand the roots of this unbreakable, almost haunting bond she shares with her son.
You’ll have to watch to find out.
Faysal Quraishi
Faysal, who plays Faraz, portrays a man who can easily be termed a ‘mama’s boy.’ To him, everything in the world comes after his mother, so when a calamity struck her, Faraz was just as impacted by it, if not more.
He has managed to keep the audience’s attention on him throughout the movie. Whether it’s the intensity of his character, its irritability or complete surrender, he nails each scene.
It almost made me wonder why the man stayed away from the silver screen for so long.
Sonya Hussain
Time and time again, Sonya has proven how amazingly talented she is. In Deemak, her performance was no different. She played Hiba, a woman married into a household where, no matter how much effort she put into building relationships, she was constantly targeted by her mother-in-law.
Her dynamic with Samina Peerzada is a very typical one, until its not. When Hiba starts experiencing paranormal things around her, the audience witnesses an extremely frustrated, tired and scared individual who has no way out.
Her husband refuses to believe her and her mother-in-law… well, let’s leave that out of the question.
However, what impressed me the most was the intensity of each emotion that translated through the screen. I sympathised for Hiba, I felt scared for her and mind you, I felt scared of her!
A Visual Effects Letdown
Here’s where the movie disappointed me a bit: the visual effects, crafted by Julia Milas and Imagine Magic Studio, fell short in several key areas. I understand the film wasn’t made on a massive budget, but considering that VFX play a crucial role in any supernatural movie, even a well-written story can falter if the visuals don’t deliver.
I wouldn’t say the effects were outright terrible, but there were moments where they felt cartoonish, more confusing than frightening.
So, is Deemak Worth Your Money?
So, it all boils down to whether the movie is worth your money.
If you are tired of watching the same romantic dramas time and again, and want to experience something different, that too coming from your local industry, I’d say it’s definitely worth the money.
The performances, the concept, the storyline and even the cinematography and sound design is amazing. However, like I said above, the visual effects could’ve been far better.
Regardless, Deemak is revolution in Pakistan’s horror cinema. It’s an evidence that we are growing as an industry and it’s definitely something to be proud of.
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