Black Movie Review: A Unique Tamil Thriller with Twists, Turns and a Supermoon

Reviewing the Tamil movie Black, directed by KG Balasubramani, is a bit like analyzing Ghajini after watching Memento. If you’ve seen the 2013 English movie Coherence, directed by James Ward Byrkit, you might find it hard not to compare the two. Black draws heavily from Coherence, but it also comes with its own Tamil movie flair, adding elements like spoon-feeding explanations and the classic masala that fans expect. Yet, despite these differences, Black manages to hold its ground as a gripping and engaging film with a uniquely eerie theme.

The Story of Black: A Weekend of Mystery

The central plot of Black revolves around a couple, Vasanth and Aaranya. They decide to escape the hustle and bustle of city life for a weekend getaway at a villa in a remote location. The villa is still under construction, adding a sense of isolation to the already eerie setting. However, their quiet retreat quickly turns into a nightmare as they begin to notice strange occurrences around the property. To their surprise, they find another house nearby with unknown occupants. What unfolds is a story of survival as the couple navigates a terrifying night filled with mysteries.

Black vs. Coherence: A Simplified Adaptation

Comparisons with the Original: For those who have seen Coherence, Black might seem like a watered-down adaptation. While Coherence involves a group of friends and the chaos that ensues during a supernatural event, Black narrows the focus to just a couple. This change alters the dynamics and intensity of the story. Coherence doesn’t waste time setting up its world; it plunges the audience into the mystery right away. Black, however, spends time building an atmosphere filled with spooky elements, which may feel like a creative constraint compared to the original.

Setting and Style: The original film had a raw, handheld camera style that immersed viewers directly into the unfolding panic. In contrast, Black adopts a more polished, conventional cinematic style. KG Balasubramani doesn’t aim for a signature look; instead, he opts for clear, easy-to-follow visuals, making sure the audience notices every clue. While this approach helps to demystify the plot for a general audience, it lacks the layered complexity that made Coherence such a compelling watch.

Characters and Performances: Jiiva and Priya Shine

The lead roles in Black are played by Jiiva as Vasanth and Priya Bhavani Shankar as Aaranya. Their performances stand out in a film that requires them to carry much of the narrative weight.

• Jiiva as Vasanth: Jiiva plays his character with a blend of charisma and intensity, perfectly fitting the role of a man trapped in a nightmarish situation. His portrayal of Vasanth is filled with moments of both vulnerability and defiance as he tries to piece together the mystery surrounding their villa.
• Priya Bhavani Shankar as Aaranya: Priya, on the other hand, brings an expressive and emotional depth to Aaranya. She effectively conveys the fear and confusion that come with being caught in a bizarre reality. Her reactions, though occasionally dramatic, add to the film’s tension.

Themes and Tone: Mystery Meets Supernatural

Black explores themes like isolation, alternate realities, and the fear of the unknown. The film’s premise a mysterious event during a supermoon serves as a narrative device to weave in elements of sci-fi and horror.

Setting the Mood: The movie opens with a flashback to 1964, setting a tone of mystery from the start. A couple elopes with a friend, and amidst a stormy night, they encounter a strange event involving a marble guardian angel. The film then jumps to 2024, where Vasanth and Aaranya find themselves caught in a similar web of strange occurrences. The shift between timelines creates a haunting sense of history repeating itself, which is central to the unfolding mystery.

Use of Sci-Fi Elements: In true homage to Coherence, Black introduces concepts like parallel realities and Schrödinger’s cat. But rather than subtly hinting at these ideas, Black lays them out more explicitly, perhaps to make them accessible to a wider audience. This approach might appeal to viewers who prefer clarity over ambiguity, but it could feel heavy-handed to those who enjoyed the nuanced storytelling of Coherence.

Strengths of Black: What Works Well

Strong Visuals and Atmosphere: Despite its deviations from the source material, Black excels in creating a captivating atmosphere. The eerie, isolated villa and the sense of impending doom are amplified by Gokul Benoy’s cinematography and Sam CS’s haunting musical score. The visuals maintain a sense of tension throughout the film, ensuring that the audience remains on the edge of their seats.

Engaging Plot Twists: The narrative keeps viewers guessing. Just when you think you have a grasp on what’s happening, the story shifts direction. This unpredictability is a core strength of Black, making it more than just a straightforward thriller.

Adaptation Choices: The choice to reduce the cast to just a couple makes Black feel more intimate and focused, allowing deeper exploration of the characters’ psyche. The script cleverly adjusts the story to fit Tamil cinema sensibilities, adding in a few local touches while retaining the core mystery of the original.

Shortcomings: Where Black Falls Short

Overly Explanatory Storytelling: One of the most noticeable flaws in Black is its tendency to explain the mystery in detail, which can feel patronizing to audiences who appreciate subtlety. While Coherence trusts the viewers to piece things together, Black doesn’t shy away from offering flashbacks and clear explanations.

Predictable Horror Tropes: The film introduces typical horror elements like unexplained noises, shadows, and power outages that feel formulaic. While these moments add to the suspense, they don’t offer anything new to seasoned fans of the genre.

Missed Potential for Deeper Complexity: The film touches on fascinating concepts like alternate realities and time loops but doesn’t delve into them as deeply as it could. Instead, it opts for a simpler narrative that might leave fans of high-concept sci-fi thrillers longing for more depth.

A Thrilling Yet Simplified Experience

Black stands out as a compelling watch for those new to the concept of parallel realities or for audiences looking for a suspenseful thriller with a supernatural twist. It serves as a good introduction to the kind of mind-bending narratives seen in films like Coherence. For those who have already experienced the complexity of the original, however, Black might come across as a simpler, more mainstream adaptation. But even with its limitations, Black manages to keep its audience hooked from start to finish with its blend of suspense, drama, and eerie atmosphere.

FAQ Section

1. Is Black a direct remake of Coherence?
Yes, Black is an adaptation of the 2013 film Coherence. However, it adapts the story to fit the Tamil audience by focusing on a couple instead of a group and incorporating more straightforward storytelling elements.

2. What are the main differences between Black and Coherence?
While Coherence features a group of friends experiencing a reality-bending event, Black centers on a couple and their experiences in an isolated villa. Coherence is known for its subtle and minimalist style, while Black takes a more explanatory and visually conventional approach.

3. Can I enjoy Black if I haven’t seen Coherence?
Absolutely! Black offers a gripping mystery that stands on its own, even if you aren’t familiar with Coherence. The film provides enough context and explanation to make the story accessible.

4. What makes Black worth watching?
Black is worth watching for its intriguing premise, engaging performances, and the suspenseful atmosphere it creates. The adaptation choices make it accessible to those who enjoy thrillers with a mix of sci-fi and supernatural elements.

5. Does Black stick to the original ending of Coherence?
While Black retains many elements of the original, it makes adjustments to the story and ending to cater to the expectations of Tamil cinema audiences. Without giving away spoilers, the film adds some unique twists of its own.

6. Who would enjoy watching Black?
Fans of mystery, thriller, and sci-fi genres who appreciate films with unexpected twists and suspenseful storytelling will likely enjoy Black. It’s especially suited for those who enjoy stories with supernatural or parallel reality themes.

In the end, Black manages to be a commendable adaptation with its own charm, even if it lacks the depth of its source material. It offers a thrilling ride that’s sure to entertain those who are new to its twisted premise, making it a notable addition to Tamil cinema’s growing repertoire of high-concept thrillers.