Reema has inherited an abandoned resort on a remote tropical island after the death of her Aunt. Wanting to uncover the truth behind her family’s past, she travels to the island with three friends, only to discover a series of strange incidents all tied to an ancient familial curse rooted in tantric rituals and black magic.
Director Trishul Thejasvi creates a visual story that does not need dialogue. He uses the natural beauty of the island to his advantage. The island’s lush colors contrast beautifully with the dark secrets hidden beneath the surface, giving a refreshing shift from the more muted palettes that dominate most supernatural films. The framing is consistently beautiful, and the use of light helps emphasize tone and mood. The daytimes are bright and colorful. The evenings are dark and mysterious and use fire to play with light and shadow. Everything feels rich and bold, down to the characters’ costumes. And that may be what makes it so disappointing when the actors don’t quite match the level of visual delight.
Nisha Sabharwal’s script is at its strongest when it leans into South Asian mythology and the supernatural. Scares and creepiness aside, she uses those elements as a way of exploring inheritance. What we pass down to our children: traditions, trauma, blessings, and curses alike. It’s an intriguing idea that gives the film its greatest emotional weight, even if the overall script struggles to maintain that focus. The characters unfortunately suffer from a lack of development. They all fit recognizable horror archetypes, which isn’t a bad thing when done well. The problem is that audiences know these character types so well that, when they aren’t given much beyond the basics, the lack of development becomes all the more apparent.
The acting is, at times, a bit wooden. The performances do not always reach the same levels as the film’s striking visuals. Reema, played by Indigo Sabharwal, is fine to watch, but doesn’t get to fully shine until the last act of the film. She plays the character cool and composed, but the lack of visible reactions also makes her harder to warm up to. Once there is a shift, the audience finally gets to see what was simmering beneath, and it would have been nice to see more of that energy sooner in the film. The film tips its hand a little too early with Robert, making him so obviously suspicious that many viewers will be well ahead of the story. This is not a criticism of actor Nikihil Kamkolkar, who is a genuine delight to watch on film. Modern horror audiences understand the formula and are savvy enough to clock what is going on early, so there’s no need to undercut the mystery even more.
Despite some flaws, Mala delivers an entertaining film that is incredibly watchable. Fans of more supernatural horror will appreciate the level of quality in the cinematography and Thejasvi’s strong direction. Its strengths ultimately outweigh any shortcomings, making it an encouraging showcase for a filmmaking team with clear talent behind the camera and a clear love of what they’re doing.
Mala is streaming on Tubi starting August 7th, 2026.