Valari review: An uneven yet compelling reimagining of the horror genre

Jumpscares have become such an integral part of horror films that you cannot imagine one without them. Mainstream horror filmmakers have become heavily reliant on them to the extent that they refuse to look outside the box, to think of new, engaging cinematic techniques to keep us engaged, which largely signifies the lack of originality in recent horror films. That’s where the new OTT film Valari stands out.

Valari tells the story of Divya (Ritika Singh), a homemaker leading a blissful domestic life with her husband (Sreeram) and son (Pharrnitha Rudra Raju). However, Divya is plagued by anxieties that continue to haunt her in the form of nightmares. When Divya and her family shift to a new town, Divya is faced with incidents that border on the supernatural that feel interlinked with her nightmares and her past, a past she barely remembers.

Despite operating with a familiar set of tropes and plot points, Valari feels novel in its treatment, courtesy of writer-director M Mrithika Santhoshini, who brings a fresh energy into the horror genre. Valari largely stays away from the campy histrionics that one associates with a conventional horror film. Santhoshini adeptly uses sound and visuals to create uneasiness. However, there are occasional moments when the film slips up and resorts to conventional technical choices, especially the sound design. Thankfully, due to its sparse use, it never overpowers the ambience.

While the film takes its time to establish the plot and its world, Santoshini's restrained use of jumpscares makes it a compelling watch. Valari is brimming with scares; only this time they arrive in an unfamiliar form. The way each plot point is unveiled brings in a sense of dread. In almost every scene, you learn something new about the world and each development instils in us a sense of fear. You are worried for Divya and think about every possible harm that could happen to her, and that’s where Valari succeeds. Also, like every good thriller, Valari pushes you to be suspicious of every character. The performances are impressive overall, but two artists deserve a special mention – Ritika, who ably carries the film on her shoulders with the script giving her enough moments to shine, and Pharrnitha Rudra Raju, the child actor playing Divya’s son who is surprisingly emotive and carries exceptional range.

In a brief stretch around the intermission, the writer-director takes us back to the protagonist’s past. Sadly, this is where the film loses us for a bit, completely drifting away from the mood that has been set so far. Yet, one stays patient because Ritika brings great vulnerability, helping us remain invested in Divya’s journey. Despite a dragging second act, the film holds you because the stage is set so well with a gripping prologue and is followed up with plenty of intriguing plot developments.

Unfortunately, Valari loses steam towards the climax, irrespective of its share of revelations and surprises. After mounting the mystery to such an extent, the film fails to meet the expectations. The PSA-styled epilogue, listing the real-life crimes that the film is based on, is also distracting. Yet, despite its shortcomings, Valari remains engaging in its entirety. There is a lot to savour here.