The ‘Typewriter’ is the new Indian series in the supernatural genre, released exclusively on Netflix worldwide, this Friday. The trailer was launched earlier in June this year, creating a buzz around for a promising horror narrative. Sujoy Ghosh directed series has all eerie elements that a typical haunted story constructs upon.
The gates to h̵e̵l̵l̵ Bardez Villa open soon. #Typewriter premiers 19 July. pic.twitter.com/khIyoQ7sL7
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) June 26, 2019
This five-episode mini-series has a very ‘Famous Five’ feel, where a group of children start a ghost hunt, becoming the much-called heroes of the entire neighborhood. Three kids Sameera/Sam (Aarna Sharma), Gablu (Mikail Gandhi) and Bunty (Palash Kamble) with their pet dog are seen as ghost hunter enthusiasts, calling themselves members of ‘Ghost Club’. The storyline has a very noticeable haunted villa with a prodigal daughter, Jenny (Palomi Ghosh) returning to the place after 35 years, bringing unexpected and mysterious deaths in succession.
Set in a quaint town of Bardez, Goa, series begins with Madhav Mathew (Kanwaljit Singh) writing a book ‘Ghosts of Sultanpore’ on a typewriter which later becomes the centerpiece of the story. Series also focuses on the father-daughter duo, Sam and Ravi Anand (Purab Kohli). Ravi Anand is a concerned but friendly father working as an Inspector in the Police department of Goa. The on screen relationship gives an emotional touch to the series making audience more connected to the storyline.
All the actors have done justice with their role. Sam, played by Aarna Sharma is fearless, ultimately becoming the leader, guiding every member including her father in unveiling the story behind the ghostly villa. Purab Kohli, playing the role of a single parent craving for a companion, appears very true and realistic to his character, hitting the right chords of the viewers. Palomi Ghosh did superb acting of her character, Jenny, as both haunted and haunter. Jisshu Sengupta’s character, Amit is shown with a puffy face and confined moves, bringing the evil element in the series. Other actors also shine in their role by delivering a power pack performance.
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The tale has classical Goth element, black magic, voodoos, blood moon, and a doppelganger. Perfectly balanced screen time for each of the characters leaves no one unsatisfied. The story slowly unwinds itself giving a backstory to every character and the reasons for absurdities seen in their present-day personality.
However, after the first two episodes, the story becomes too crowded for the audience to concentrate. Narratives keep going in the past, giving the reasons for the origin of the shape-shifting ghost, making it a bit dragged on. The writer also tried to include some funny elements, which did not exactly fit..
Ghosh’s series has a very Victorian setting with dirt roads, retro bars, vintage cafes, and the Goan alleys. ‘Typewriter’, Sujoy Ghosh’s story co-written with Suresh Nair shows the thriller writing expertise of the writer more than the horror experience. The story is overall engaging with its various plot twists making everything look right in the place throughout the run time. Ghosh seems to create scares via tension and characters more than the scenes.
The mystery of Bardez unfolds soon.
Typewriter premieres 19 July, only on @NetflixIndia pic.twitter.com/ToeyHIiiOK— Purab Kohli (@Purab_Kohli) June 27, 2019
‘Typewriter’ in its genre is not the best that the world has witnessed but definitely worth a watch. We would give it a rating of three out of five stars as it surely has come a long way, with a better and more mature depiction of paranormal activities compared to the old Indian horror dramas.
