Murmur Movie Summary
Four YouTubers set out to document supernatural legends in a remote village, but are constantly confronted with terrifying events that blur the line between folklore and terrifying reality.
Murmur Movie Review
Watching Murmur is like watching an endless found-footage horror reel – except that the vacation footage is juxtaposed against a cursed forest filled with supernatural threats. Though the film deserves praise for its bold attempt to tell a scary story through entirely character-driven cameras, it delivers more silliness than genuine terror.
A promising but uneven premise
The film centers on four content-seeking YouTubers—Melvin (Devaraj), Rishi (Richie Kapur), Ankita (Suganya) and Jennifer (Ariya)—who, along with their local guide Kantha (Yuvika), venture into the jungle to investigate the spooky stories of the “Saptha Kanigal” (seven virgins) and a vengeful spirit called Mangai.
What starts out as a spine-tingling concept soon loses its grip on tension. Director Hemnath Narayanan has effectively created an immersive atmosphere with Jason Williams’ shadowy cinematography, which uses only natural light, and Kevin Frederick’s sound design that amplifies every whisper of the jungle. However, the tension is lost when familiar horror tropes—like the planchette board that summons the spirit—are introduced. The film’s pace is slow, and by the time characters start disappearing one by one, the audience has already lost interest.
Technically Strong But Narratively Weak
While the film is visually and aurally appealing, its narrative struggles. Ritchie’s North Indian character and his broken Tamil provide the only true moments of humor in the film, while the underlying sexual tension between the group proves more compelling than the supernatural elements. Despite its technical strengths, Murmur fails to reach the level of scares it hopes for, making it a debut that shows potential but ultimately lacks impact.
FAQ
- Is Murmur worth watching for horror fans?
It depends. If you like found-footage horror with an atmospheric approach, it might be worth watching, but don’t expect intense scares. - What makes Murmur different than other horror films?
The entire film is shot using the characters’ cameras, which provides a raw and immersive experience. - Does Murmur have jump scares?
There are a few, but they don’t land as effectively as they should due to the slow pace of the film. - Is the story based on a real folklore?
Yes, the film makes references to Indian folklore, particularly the legend of “Saptha Kanigal”. - Will the sequel be better than the original?
If it focuses on tightening the plot and delivering more engaging horror scenes, the sequel could be promising.