Murmur: A Found-Footage Horror That Fizzles Out
Murmur attempts to bring a fresh take on horror by using character-operated cameras, but it ends up feeling like a tedious found-footage experiment rather than a spine-chilling experience. The story follows four YouTubers and their guide as they investigate supernatural legends in a remote village, only to be hunted by an unseen entity. While director Hemnath Narayanan effectively utilizes Jason Williams’ dark, atmospheric cinematography and Kewyn Frederick’s eerie sound design to build tension, the film struggles to maintain engagement, relying on overused horror tropes like spirit-summoning boards and predictable jump scares. The characters’ interpersonal drama, particularly Richie’s broken Tamil and the underlying sexual tension, ironically proves more entertaining than the paranormal events unfolding around them. Despite its ambition and technical merits, Murmur never quite delivers the terror it promises, making it a decent yet forgettable entry in the found-footage horror genre.