When I started watching, I thought it would be a complete waste of time. But to my surprise, it turned out to be much better than the other mass marketed stuff out there. I have to stress - this movie is NOT for everyone. This will not satisfy visual or audio connoisseurs. This *might* satisfy those that enjoy slasher gore; but it is not mindless and the psychological aspects won't be appreciated. This is not a movie that is meant to passively entertain you. If you disengage your brain while watching a movie, then you should probably skip this entirely.
With that said:
The movie is an anthology of three stories based on the after-effects of a form of experimental group "therapy" done in the 80s based on the archetypes of the Hindu religion. I have read a review complaining about the appropriation of eastern religious ideas by westerners. I agree that's a legitimate concern, but isn't that the entire point of the movie in the first place? It's about the consequences of dabbling in forces (psychological or otherwise) that one does not understand; and that these consequences reach into the future and effect the lives of others.
I went into this movie with the opinion that you have to be born into that culture to really understand it's religion; and I left the movie the same way. This movie is an example of how good storytelling and well written characters are far more important than flashy FX or style. A unique movie, chock full of substance, is a "must see" for those who enjoy being actively engaged in psychological thrillers.
With that said:
The movie is an anthology of three stories based on the after-effects of a form of experimental group "therapy" done in the 80s based on the archetypes of the Hindu religion. I have read a review complaining about the appropriation of eastern religious ideas by westerners. I agree that's a legitimate concern, but isn't that the entire point of the movie in the first place? It's about the consequences of dabbling in forces (psychological or otherwise) that one does not understand; and that these consequences reach into the future and effect the lives of others.
I went into this movie with the opinion that you have to be born into that culture to really understand it's religion; and I left the movie the same way. This movie is an example of how good storytelling and well written characters are far more important than flashy FX or style. A unique movie, chock full of substance, is a "must see" for those who enjoy being actively engaged in psychological thrillers.