Video review: Plenty of thrills in this eerie but imperfect Kannada horror film

It was 2013, and Kannada cinema witnessed a phenomenon it had never seen before. 6-5=2, a found-footage horror film made on a relatively modest scale, became a sensation across Karnataka and went on to become a surprise blockbuster. Thirteen years later, another found-footage horror film, Video, arrives with similar ambitions. And much like its predecessor, it has managed to grab the audience’s attention and generate considerable buzz.

But does Video live up to the legacy of 6-5=2? Does it deliver the thrills it promises? And more importantly, does it have what it takes to become Kannada cinema’s sleeper hit of the year? Let’s find out.

The story follows the mysterious disappearance of a group of YouTube content creators who run a channel called Tharle Gang. Celebrating their meteoric rise to success and reaching the 1 million subscriber milestone, the group of three guys and two girls decide to do something wild — visit one of India’s deadliest haunted sites. However, they soon go missing.

When a traveller comes across the site, they find the group’s camera equipment and footage lying around. Director Srinidhi Bengaluru then puts together the footage chronologically, showing us what went down with the gang on that deadly night of the lunar eclipse.

How was the footage found? What are the dynamics within the gang? Why did they choose this particular site? What is the story behind the haunting? And were they aware of the kind of threat they were throwing themselves into? The answers to these questions, and much more, unfold through a found-footage/documentary-style screenplay that forms the backbone of this eerie horror film.

Writer-director Srinidhi Bengaluru, who previously made Blink, featuring Dheekshith Shetty, proves once again with Video why he is a talent to look out for in Kannada cinema. He has crafted a plot with a variety of characters who feel relatable, actions that are understandable and, at its core, a haunting premise that is genuinely intriguing.

What works particularly well is how Srinidhi incorporates familiar, relatable elements into the narrative. Whether it is YouTuber Sameer MD revealing the conspiracy, the filmmakers themselves playing filmmakers who are putting together the found footage, or even the conversations between the five central characters, there is a sense of reality running through the film. The relatability is layered in a way that allows you to connect with these characters on an emotional level, while also recognising how closely the events and their reactions resemble something that could actually happen.

Barring a few moments, particularly around the climax, where the director seems to prioritise reaching a conclusion over getting everything right, the writing and direction in Video are commendable overall. It is a complaint that has been consistent in his previous works, including Jerax and Blink as well, but here, Srinidhi Bengaluru largely manages to keep the narrative engaging and the execution effective.

Video is a story packed with interesting ideas, and the actors playing its central characters have understood the assignment and delivered appropriately. Bharatha, Jeevan Shivakumar, Tejesh S M, Priya J Achar and Nalme Nachiya play the five friends who wander into chaos. They are vloggers and are almost always seen through the lens of a camera — either their handheld vlogging cameras or CCTV footage.

This visual treatment brings a sense of reality to the frame, something that remains consistent throughout the film. Barring a few moments where the intensity of the situation demands particularly effective performances, the cast has mostly done a good job of making these characters feel believable and grounded.

Video is technically brilliant in most departments, and that is perhaps its biggest strength. The first half, which largely focuses on establishing the backstory and introducing the characters, could have easily felt slow. Instead, the film manages to evoke a constant sense of anxiety and eeriness through its technical brilliance.

The camerawork by Avinaasha Shastry and team, editing by Sanjeev Jagirdar, and sound design by T S Hariharasudhan, Rahul Rajan and R J Rahul deserve a major shoutout for the effective outcome. The way these elements come together creates an unsettling atmosphere and keeps you invested, even when the narrative is simply building towards what is to come.

Video is a good film. However, with a few screenplay choices handled differently, it could have been a great one. The thrill of a horror film lies in never allowing the audience to get accustomed to its horror elements. As they say, never scare someone so much that they stop being scared. Here, the elements that are meant to frighten you become increasingly overexposed towards the third act, taking away the anxiety and leaving behind little more than a sense of disgust at the events unfolding.

Had the makers limited the exposure of the most haunting figure and protected some of the mystery, while keeping the audience privy only to the experiences of the five central characters, the overall impact could have been significantly higher.

Similarly, towards the climax, the makeup and effects in certain scenes are subpar. What should potentially leave the viewer gasping instead makes you wince at best. The terrifying aspects of these scenes simply aren't captured with enough efficiency, taking away from what could have been some of the film's most effective moments.

In terms of screentime, although the film is only 122 minutes long, the first half does feel a tad stretched out. While the attempt to build a connection between the audience and the characters is understandable, the journey to the core plot point feels like it takes a longer route than necessary.

Irrespective of these shortcomings, Video delivers its share of thrills and manages to keep you engaged through most of its runtime. It has been a while since Kannada cinema had something this exciting in the horror space, and after what has been a tough year for the industry, Video brings a much-needed unique flavour that could potentially bring audiences back to theatres, much like 6-5=2 did in 2013.

Will Video emerge as the breakout success Kannada cinema needs, or will it join the list of good films that deserved a better reception? We will know soon enough.- EndsPublished By: Sanjay Ponnappa CSPublished On: Sep 11, 2026 19:25 ISTALSO READ | America America 2 review: A millennial love story with moments, but no magicMUST WATCH: