Housemates Review – Decent Fantasy-meets-Time Bending Theme

Housemates, directed by Rajavel, is a genre-defying horror-fantasy backed by Sivakarthikeyan Productions and S. Vijayaprakash. Featuring Dharshan and Aarsha Chandini Baiju in the lead roles, the film also stars Kaali Venkat, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, and others in key supporting roles. With music by Raju Murugesan and cinematography by M.S. Sathish, the film attempts to explore an unconventional narrative space.

Dharshan plays a mechanical engineering graduate working in a robotics firm. He marries his girlfriend (Aarsha Chandini Baiju), who leaves her house against her father’s wishes, and the couple settles into a home bought on loan. What begins as a happy, domestic life quickly spirals into unsettling territory as eerie supernatural events unfold within their new home.

Simultaneously, another family, led by Kaali Venkat, experiences similar paranormal disturbances in the same house. As the story progresses, the film smartly reveals that both narratives are playing out in different time frames within the same space, and what ties them together is a ‘time collision’ — a rare twist in Tamil cinema’s horror genre.

What sets Housemates apart is its genre-shifting narrative. The film subtly transitions from a rom-com to horror and then into fantasy, every 20 minutes, keeping the audience intrigued. The first half is tightly written, filled with tension and mystery that nudges the viewer to keep guessing. The interval block brings a surprising twist that recontextualizes the events so far, setting up the second half effectively.

Post-intermission, the film takes its time to unravel the time-bending mechanics behind the hauntings. Scenes like the iron box moment and the ceiling fan sequence are cleverly staged, adding to the film’s eerie yet inventive mood. The writing team deserves credit for balancing complexity with clarity in a story that could have easily become convoluted.

Dharshan delivers a passable yet sincere performance, effectively portraying the confusion and tension his character demands. Aarsha Chandini Baiju is a standout, confident, emotive, and composed. Kaali Venkat adds depth and gravity to the parallel track with his trademark authenticity. Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, though slightly over-the-top at times, adds energy to the ensemble.

The VFX and background score support the film’s fantasy-horror elements well, helping maintain mood and momentum. However, the film’s overall impact could have been elevated with grander production values. The concept is strong and unique, but the limited scale slightly holds it back from achieving its full potential.

Housemates is an ambitious attempt to blend horror, fantasy, and sci-fi with emotional storytelling. With a novel concept of time collision, genre shifts, and well-executed twists, it brings something fresh to Tamil cinema. A more refined canvas and bigger budget might have taken it even further, but as it stands, Housemates is a commendable effort worth watching for its originality and narrative boldness.