Pechi Movie Review: A Lackluster Horror Film with Limited Thrills

The presence of a climax designed to set up a sequel is more unsettling than the nonsensical dialogue the characters deliver or the bizarre actions of the wide-eyed old woman with her strange gadgets.

In Ramachandran B’s horror film *Pechi*, a group of young friends sets off on a hiking trip to a secluded forest. What begins as a peaceful retreat quickly spirals into a nightmare when they cross a forbidden threshold, awakening the malevolent spirit of an ancient witch. At first, *Pechi* effectively captures our attention, establishing the forest as a realm steeped in superstition, all while relying on minimal background music to enhance the atmosphere. However, the initial intrigue soon begins to fade. In typical horror films, there’s usually a character who warns the group about the dangers of venturing into restricted areas. In *Pechi*, this role is played by Bala Saravanan, who embodies a character that adheres to traditions despite his skepticism about evil spirits. When Bala, serving as the group’s forest guide, cautions them against crossing the boundary, they surprisingly choose to return with him. However, they ultimately venture into the witch’s domain due to a dare among friends. The film’s early sections, marked by slick cinematography and a clever play on the forest’s deceptive nature, provide an enjoyable experience, but this doesn’t last. The film ultimately stumbles with its reliance on flashbacks to delve into Pechi’s backstory and motivations for her cruelty. Honestly, there’s only so much a filmmaker can do with a premise as well-trodden as this one. Much like the haunted house trope, the evil lurking in the jungle genre of horror is desperately in need of fresh ideas.

The most disappointing element of *Pechi* isn’t just its derivative nature; it’s the film’s failure to deliver genuine scares. It employs every trick available to unsettle both the characters and the audience, featuring hands emerging from trees, sudden apparitions, and more. However, these moments become predictable and repetitive over time. Consequently, even the sincere performances begin to feel contrived. The film attempts a last-minute twist to shock viewers, but this sudden change hardly leaves a lasting impression.

Effective horror films have a unique ability to create an atmosphere of dread that lingers long after you’ve left the theater. In *Pechi*, the mere hint of a sequel is more unsettling than the nonsensical dialogue from its characters or the bizarre antics of the wide-eyed old woman with her odd toys.

**Cast:** Bala Saravanan, Gayathrie Shankar, Seeniammaal, Dev, Preethi Nedumaran, Jana, Natturaja

**Director:** Ramachandran B

**Rating:** 2/5