The brand new Malayalam net collection Inspection Bungalow is pitched as a seven-episode horror-comedy, but it surely in the end works extra as a nostalgia journey to the early 2000s — a time dominated by temple monks, white-clad ghosts, and acquainted horror tropes. Whereas the horror-comedy area has advanced considerably in recent times, Inspection Bungalow appears not sure of what new it has to supply and as an alternative leans closely on the style’s most predictable beats.
Plot
Set in a small Kerala city, the story follows a bunch of policemen who’re quickly moved to the infamous Inspection Bungalow after authorities funds for his or her rundown police station are delayed. The bungalow’s status precedes it — thieves would quite confess to crimes they haven’t dedicated than step contained in the place.
On the coronary heart of the story is Vishnu (Shabareesh Varma), a deeply spiritual officer who believes rituals can defend them from any supernatural presence. His colleague Parameswaran (Saju Sreedhar), a staunch rationalist, refuses to imagine in God or ghosts. Regardless of their opposing worldviews, the 2 group as much as examine a string of mysterious deaths on the bungalow and uncover how they tie into the alleged hauntings.
Vishnu, determined for solutions, turns to a godman and Mythili (Aadhya Prasad), a self-proclaimed ghost hunter outfitted with a tool that supposedly detects “paranormal waves”.
What works
Written and directed by Saiju SS, the collection advantages from robust performances by its main forged — Shabareesh Varma, Aadhya Prasad, Saju Sreedhar, and others who carry sincerity to their roles. The eerie small-town setting and the atmospheric design of the bungalow work within the present’s favour.
There are considerate components too, such because the coexistence of believers and non-believers with out judgment, and the delicate approach the narrative exhibits differing ideologies working towards a standard purpose. The plot has potential, and a few character arcs provide glimpses of what the collection might have achieved with sharper writing.
What doesn’t work
Sadly, Inspection Bungalow hardly ever delivers on both horror or comedy. Regardless of having all the appropriate elements — a haunted setting, an eclectic forged, and intriguing backstories — the collection by no means strikes past stereotypical portrayals. The horror feels recycled, the humour barely registers, and the narrative depends too closely on clichés from 90s and early-2000s horror movies.
From the ghost in a modernised white outfit to ritual-heavy exorcism sequences and revenge-driven ghost arcs, the present slips into predictable territory, providing little innovation or real thrills.
Conclusion
Inspection Bungalow had the potential to be a contemporary addition to Malayalam horror-comedy, but it surely settles as an alternative for secure, acquainted territory. Whereas the performances and setting preserve the collection watchable, the writing lacks the punch wanted to ship actual scares or memorable humour. For viewers searching for nostalgia, it might provide a gentle throwback. However for these anticipating a genre-defining expertise, Inspection Bungalow falls brief — very similar to its haunted bungalow, it echoes with the shadows of what might have been.