The Deserving is a 2024 supernatural horror film about a depressed mute serial killer tormented by the ghosts of his victims. On the morning he plans to take his own life he’s unexpectedly visited by a sudden walk-in client in need of a photo shoot. The movie aims to explore “themes of guilt, redemption, and the cyclical nature of abuse.”
Directed by S. S. Arora, who makes his feature debut, the Katha Productions movie stars Venkat Sai Gunda, Simone Stadler and Kelsey Stalter.
The Deserving has already amassed several accolades, having won over fifteen awards including Best Feature at Athens IFF, Best Horror at Hallucinea FF, and awards at Humro Cinema, Portugal Indie Film Festival, and Rome Indie Film Fest.
Reviews:
“The Deserving stands out for its ambition to tackle heavy subject matter through daring formal choices. Driven by a committed central performance, it succeeds in unsettling audiences through its thoughtful exploration of trauma’s lingering effects. For genre fans seeking a disturbing slow-burn thriller rich with subtext, this low-budget film offers a chilling cinematic journey well worth braving.” 8/10 Gazettely
“To begin with, everything is so promising, but by the end you’ve not really learned or experienced much you didn’t have a flavour of half an hour in. You could edit the film into an excellent and genuinely creepy 20-minute short and not really miss anything. As a calling card for a bigger and better-resourced project, it’s not at all bad, it’s just frustrating that something which starts so well can’t sustain that initial interest.” ★★ The Guardian
“This is filled with scary moments and is filled with endless jump scares from the different victims. However, the style it is drawn out to create becomes the standout aspect of the movie. it surprises which covers for the overuse of the jump scares. The short runtime helps make the movie a digestible amount of horror, because if we had run long, the movie would have dragged out.” ★★★ Movie Reviews 101
“That this actually works is thanks to a script that’s stringent despite not being linear, an atmosphere-heavy directorial effort that makes the most out of its limited locations, and a strong central performance by Venkat Sai Gunda, who even without dialogue manages to make his character utterly relatable, and he’s supported by a great ensemble.” Search My Trash
“The film is a slow burn but never boring, and it is scary, creepy, suspenseful, and tension filled with atmosphere so think you need a knife to cut through it. ‘The Deserving’ was done on a limited budget but makes up for it in style, impressive effects, and a story you might not be able to stop thinking about.” ★★★★ Video Views
Trailer:
Clip 1:
Release:
Entertainment Squad has acquired worldwide rights to The Deserving from Katha Productions and will release the film on October 1, 2024, via its genre label, The Horror Collective.
Regarding the film’s release, Producer Venkat Sai Gunda said, “As a filmmaker, I am thrilled to bring The Deserving to audiences worldwide. This film is a labour of love, exploring themes of suspense and psychological intrigue that I hope will captivate viewers. With its upcoming release, I’m excited to share this cinematic journey with everyone who enjoys a thought-provoking thriller.”
Shaked Berenson, CEO of Entertainment Squad, commented on the film’s unique protagonist: “Having a mute character in The Deserving adds a compelling layer of depth and intrigue to the story, showcasing the innovative storytelling we champion. This film perfectly aligns with The Horror Collective’s mission of giving a stage to new and underrepresented voices that push the boundaries of the genre. The Deserving is a testament to that vision.”
Country of origin:
United States
