Tumbbad — greed in the rain

Spoiler-free review.

The atmosphere in Tumbbad is stunning. The rain, dark interiors, and decaying buildings make the place feel damp enough to reach through the screen. Long before the danger is fully visible, the setting has already made returning there seem like a terrible idea.

That is what makes the greed interesting. The hidden treasure is not presented as an innocent adventure; it is something people keep making room for in their lives despite the cost. Sohum Shah gives that desire a practical, stubborn quality. You can see how someone might turn a frightening risk into a habit.

The visual storytelling is stronger than any explanation could be. Light reveals just enough of a space to make you worry about the rest, and the fantasy elements feel connected to the physical world around them. The monster matters, but so does the journey towards it.

Some of the dialogue states the lesson about greed quite directly. I was already getting that from the choices and the images, so a few lines felt unnecessary. The movement through the family story can also be abrupt in places. Neither takes much away from how convincing the world feels.

8/10. A horror-fantasy with an unusually strong sense of place. The atmosphere is the main reason to watch, and it makes the temptation at the centre of the story feel dangerous every time.

Directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Adesh Prasad · 2018 · Hindi. Film details · Poster source. Artwork © its respective rights holders.

— Desly