Director Stephen Alexander’s Suburban Tale (AKA Tamso; India, 2023) is a dark, brooding film that becomes increasingly disturbing as it continually reveals new puzzle pieces throughout its running time. Its original Indian title Tamso means “from darkness,” which is quite fitting.
Radhika (Rashmi Somvanshi, who also produced the film) is the estranged daughter of a family. Other extended family members refer to her as “that woman” and make it clear that they do not want her anywhere near the wedding preparations that are happening, although her father calls her back home because he wants her to watch over the youngest member of the family, a boy who seems to be possessed by a demon. When the boy, who emits a poisonous gas and snarls and rages, attacks the bride-to-be, Radhika is left alone in charge of him — and matters grow increasingly eerie and deadly.
Alexander paces the film nicely, slowly divulging information as to why Radhika is shunned by her family and finding it difficult to work and live. Somvanshi is terrific in the lead role, going through a wide range of emotions as the background of her character is shown and as the horror elements ramp up. The ensemble cast members, which include Ritika Gupta, Vaishnavi Singh, Ansh Pandey, Dev Chauhan, Sunita Hooda, and Kaushlendra, all turn in solid performances. The film is shot in appropriately dark tones by Director of Photography Sukesh Viswanath.
Suburban Tale is a nerve-jangling feature that fans of foreign and independent horror should find highly intriguing.
Suburban Tale screened as part of Fantastic Fest, which took place in Austin, Texas from September 21–28, 2023. For more information, visit https://2023.fantasticfest.com/welcome.
