Why the 2020 Malayalam Horror Isha Fails to Deliver Real Chills

The landscape of Indian horror cinema is often a crowded field of vengeful spirits, haunted bungalows, and religious exorcisms. Within this genre, the 2020 Malayalam film Isha, directed by Jos Thomaas, attempted to weave a narrative of social justice into a supernatural framework. However, for most viewers and critics, the film struggled to transcend the very clichés it relied upon. To complicate matters for modern streamers, a similarly named Telugu film, Eesha (2025), has recently entered the conversation, leading to significant confusion among audiences searching for a definitive "Isha" movie review.

Understanding the difference between these two projects is crucial. The 2020 Isha is a traditional possession drama rooted in a revenge plot, while the 2025 Eesha leans more toward psychological thriller territory with a focus on debunking superstitions. This analysis will primarily dissect the 2020 film’s shortcomings while contextualizing it within the broader evolution of South Indian horror.

The Narrative Framework of Isha (2020)

At its core, Isha (2020) follows a familiar trajectory. After a painful divorce, a woman named Susan moves to a secluded bungalow in a hill station, seeking a fresh start for herself, her young daughter Angel, and her parents. As is standard for the genre, the serene environment is merely a facade. The bungalow holds a dark secret: the spirit of a young girl named Isha, who was brutally murdered by powerful men.

The plot kicks into gear when Isha’s spirit possesses the young Angel. Unlike many horror films that focus purely on the terror of the supernatural, Isha attempts to ground its horror in a relevant social issue—the atrocities committed against women and the failure of the justice system. The spirit isn't just a monster; she is a victim seeking the retribution that the living world denied her.

A Relentless Parade of Clichés

The primary criticism leveled against Isha is its lack of originality. In the realm of horror, atmosphere is everything, yet the film relies on a checklist of tropes that have been exhausted for decades. From the moment the family enters the house, the audience is treated to:

• Creepy Dolls: A recurring motif that feels more like a nod to Annabelle than a necessary plot device.
• Flickering Lights and Shadows: Used so frequently that they lose their ability to startle.
• Predictable Sound Cues: High-pitched violin screeches that signal a "jump scare" long before it actually happens.

In our screening of the film, the most disappointing aspect was the predictability of the scares. A truly effective horror film plays with the audience's expectations, but Isha follows a linear path where every "surprise" can be seen coming from a mile away. The dim lighting, intended to create a sense of dread, often just makes the action difficult to follow, detracting from the emotional weight of the possession scenes.

The Performance Spectrum: Who Stood Out?

Despite the script's limitations, the cast delivers performances that occasionally elevate the material. Kishore Satya, playing the role of the exorcist, brings a level of gravitas to the screen. His portrayal is convincing, avoiding the over-the-top histrionics often associated with cinematic priests or spiritual healers. He approaches the supernatural threat with a calm, methodical intensity that provides a much-needed anchor for the film.

Margret Antony and Abhishek Vinod also provide solid support. Antony, in particular, captures the desperation of a mother watching her child slip away into the grip of an ancient trauma. The chemistry between the family members feels authentic, which makes the eventual supernatural intrusion feel like a violation of a genuine sanctuary. Baby Avani, tasked with the difficult job of playing the possessed Angel, manages to be unsettling without relying solely on heavy makeup effects.

Technical Highs and Lows

From a technical standpoint, Isha is a mixed bag. The cinematography by the production team captures the haunting beauty of the hill station with impressive aerial shots. These wide angles establish the isolation of the bungalow, effectively cutting the characters off from the rest of the world. The lush greenery of the hills contrasts sharply with the cold, dark interiors of the house.

However, the editing and pacing frequently falter. At a runtime of nearly two hours, the film feels bloated. There are sequences—including a specific song that feels entirely out of place—that could have been excised to create a tighter, more impactful narrative. In a thriller, every scene should serve to either build tension or advance the plot; Isha unfortunately detours into melodrama that dilutes the horror.

Comparing the 2020 Isha with the 2025 Telugu Eesha

For those searching for an "Isha movie review" today, it is highly likely they are encountering mentions of the 2025 Telugu film Eesha, directed by Srinivas Manne. While the titles are phonetically identical, the creative intentions are worlds apart.

The Premise of Eesha (2025)

The 2025 film follows four childhood friends who operate a channel dedicated to debunking superstitions. This "rationalist" perspective is a fresh departure from the 2020 film's blind acceptance of the supernatural. The protagonists challenge a former neurosurgeon turned "spiritual healer," Dr. Aadidev, and agree to spend three nights in a supposedly haunted mansion.

Key Differences in Tone and Theme

While the 2020 Isha is a ghost story about vengeance, the 2025 Eesha is a psychological thriller about the nature of belief. The 2025 film explores how fear can be manufactured and how rational minds crumble when faced with the unexplainable. However, reviews for the Telugu Eesha have also been mixed, with critics noting that it, too, eventually falls into familiar horror tropes toward its climax.

The "Vengeful Ghost" Trope in Indian Cinema

To understand why Isha (2020) failed to resonate, one must look at the history of the "Yakshi" or the vengeful female spirit in South Indian cinema. From the classic Bhargavi Nilayam to the modern masterpiece Manichitrathazhu, Malayalam cinema has a rich tradition of using the supernatural to explore suppressed female emotions.

Isha attempts to join this lineage by making the ghost a victim of sexual violence. While this adds a layer of moral complexity—should the exorcist stop a spirit from punishing rapists?—the execution remains superficial. The film touches upon the atrocity but doesn't delve deep enough into the psychological trauma of the victim. It uses the trauma as a convenient backstory rather than a profound exploration of justice.

In our analysis, the film's failure to provide "freshness" stems from its refusal to challenge the status quo of horror filmmaking. Compare this to a film like Ezra (2017), which introduced Jewish folklore (the Dybbuk) to the Malayalam audience, or Bramayugam (2024), which used folk horror to explore power dynamics. Isha feels like a step backward, a return to the early 2000s style of "shiver-and-shake" cinema that modern audiences have outgrown.

What is the official rating for Isha?

When looking at various review platforms, the ratings for Isha (2020) reflect a general sense of disappointment. Major outlets like The Times of India awarded it a mere 2.0/5 stars, citing the clichéd execution and lack of genuine scares. User-driven platforms show a slightly more varied response, but the consensus remains that the film is "ordinary" at best.

The 8.1/10 rating seen on some niche global databases (like Critifan) appears to be an outlier, likely influenced by a small number of early reviewers or regional fans of the cast. For the average horror enthusiast seeking a truly terrifying experience, the 2.0/5 critic rating is a more accurate reflection of the film's quality.

Why is Isha not scary?

Scare factor is subjective, but in the case of Isha, the lack of fear stems from a lack of immersion. To be scared, an audience must believe in the world of the film. When the "ghost" is revealed through cheap makeup and predictable jump scares, the suspension of disbelief is broken. The film relies on "startle" tactics rather than "dread." Dread is the feeling that something is wrong; a startle is just a reaction to a loud noise. Isha has plenty of noises, but very little dread.

Technical Breakdown: Pacing and Sound Design

A critical component of any horror-thriller is the soundscape. In Isha, the music is composed by Jonathan Bruce. While the score is competent, it often suffers from the "more is more" philosophy. Silence can be one of the most terrifying tools in a director's arsenal, yet Isha is rarely silent. The music constantly tells the audience how to feel, which robs the viewer of the opportunity to discover the horror for themselves.

The pacing also contributes to the film's lukewarm reception. The first act spends a significant amount of time on the family's relocation and domestic issues. While character development is important, the transition into the horror elements is jarring. By the time the exorcism plotline takes center stage in the third act, many viewers may have already lost interest.

The Role of Cinematography in Isha

If there is a saving grace for the 2020 film, it is the visual language. The use of wide-angle shots to capture the misty hills of the Western Ghats provides a beautiful, if melancholy, backdrop. The cinematographer manages to make the bungalow feel like both a home and a cage. The use of natural light during the daytime sequences highlights the deceptive peace of the location, making the transition into the dark, blue-tinted nights more visually striking.

Is the Telugu Eesha a better choice?

For viewers looking for a more modern take on the genre, the Telugu Eesha (2025) offers a more interesting premise. The conflict between the rationalist protagonists and the enigmatic Dr. Aadidev provides a stronger narrative hook than the standard possession story of the 2020 film.

However, even Eesha (2025) struggles with its own set of problems. According to early reviews, the film starts strong with its "debunking" angle but eventually leans back into the very superstitions it claims to challenge. It seems that in the current climate of Indian horror, directors are still hesitant to commit fully to a purely psychological or rationalist ending, often feeling pressured to include a "real" ghost to satisfy traditional audience expectations.

Analyzing the Impact of the "Isha" Title

The choice of the name "Isha" or "Eesha" is significant. In many Indian languages, the name is associated with divinity or a feminine power. By naming the ghost Isha, Jos Thomaas creates a juxtaposition between the divine and the desecrated. The ghost is a "divine" force of justice that has been turned "dark" by the actions of men.

Unfortunately, the naming convention also leads to the aforementioned SEO and discovery issues. With multiple films carrying similar titles—including the 2019 romantic thriller Ishq—audiences often end up watching the wrong movie. Ishq (2019), starring Shane Nigam, is a significantly better-reviewed film, though it is not a horror movie. It deals with moral policing and toxic masculinity, themes that are actually handled with much more nuance than the social commentary found in Isha (2020).

Summary: Should You Watch Isha (2020)?

If you are a hardcore fan of Malayalam cinema or a completionist who wants to see every film in Kishore Satya’s filmography, Isha (2020) might be worth a casual watch on a rainy afternoon. However, if you are looking for a groundbreaking horror experience that will stay with you long after the credits roll, this is not the film for you.

The film serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers: social relevance alone cannot save a movie that is built on a foundation of clichés. To truly scare a modern audience, a director must find new ways to manifest fear, rather than relying on the ghosts of cinema's past.

Key Takeaways for Viewers:

1. Check the Language: Ensure you are watching the 2020 Malayalam film if you want the possession story, or the 2025 Telugu film if you want the rationalist thriller.
2. Lower Your Expectations: Do not expect the level of horror found in films like The Conjuring or even regional hits like Ezra.
3. Appreciate the Visuals: The cinematography of the hill stations is the film's strongest point.
4. Ignore the Clichés: If you can look past the dolls and the flickering lights, the central theme of justice for women is noble, if poorly executed.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Isha

Is Isha (2020) based on a true story?

The title card of the 2020 film claims it is based on true events. While the specific ghost story is likely fictionalized, the "true events" refer to the broader, tragic reality of atrocities committed against women in society, which serves as the inspiration for the spirit's quest for vengeance.

Where can I stream Isha (2020)?

Streaming availability for Isha (2020) varies by region. It has appeared on various regional OTT platforms specializing in South Indian content. It is recommended to check local listings for Malayalam cinema on platforms like Prime Video or local Indian streaming services.

How does Isha (2020) compare to the movie Ishq?

Despite the similar names, they are entirely different genres. Isha is a supernatural horror film about a ghost. Ishq (2019) is a "not a love story" romantic thriller that focuses on the dark side of human relationships and moral policing. Ishq received much higher critical acclaim.

Who is the director of the 2025 Eesha?

The 2025 Telugu film Eesha is directed by Srinivas Manne. It features a cast including Thrigun and Hebah Patel and focuses on a team of rationalists challenging a spiritual healer in a haunted mansion.

Does Isha (2020) have a happy ending?

Without giving away spoilers, the film concludes with the exorcist attempting to resolve the spirit's unrest. As is typical for the genre, the ending attempts to balance the need for safety for the living with the spirit's need for justice.

Conclusion

In the final analysis, Isha (2020) is a film that had the right intentions but the wrong tools. By attempting to address the serious issue of violence against women through the lens of a cliché-ridden horror movie, it ended up doing a disservice to both the subject matter and the genre. While the performances of Kishore Satya and the supporting cast provide some merit, they aren't enough to overcome a script that feels decades out of date.

For those navigating the confusing waters of "Isha" and "Eesha" movie reviews, the choice is clear: watch the 2020 film for a traditional, albeit flawed, ghost story, or wait for the 2025 Telugu film for a more modern, psychological take on the supernatural. In either case, the search for a truly transformative Indian horror film continues.