Bhoot: Part One - The Haunted Ship

wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?)

quick review:

I am as disappointed to report as I am glad that I didn’t get scared once through the two hours.

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Director: Bhanu Pratap Singh
Running time: 120 minutes
Genres: Horror
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Bhoot: Part One - The Haunted Ship - Preview

Even as I watched the trailer, I had to distract myself with questions. Why do good actors need to take up horror films? Don’t they know it makes the film more difficult to watch? Why don’t we see more of Bhumi Pednekar in the trailer? Is Bhumi Pednekar the haunting spirit? Why do good actors need to take up horror films?

Yes, yes I know, it looks like the film has only the normal amount of spooky tropes and the quality seems to be not novel either. See the question comes again—why do horror films need to be made at all?

With true trepidation in my heart, I shall walk into that theater, come 21 February 2020.

- meeta, a part of the audience

Is it possible that I have overcome my resistance to horror films? Or is it just a film that wasn’t horrifying enough? I will go with the latter. And that I am desensitised to jump scares. On that note, can a jump scare even be called one, if you are expecting it? Every single time. Even the times it is going to be, “nothing.”

The unravelling comes too late and happens too fast.

You can’t fault the performances. They are exactly the kind you would associate with well-made horror films. Of course, Vicky Kaushal is as reliable as ever. Even the supporting cast is restrained in its act. Apparently though, good acting is not enough.

Neither is the appropriate use of silences. I always thought the background music associated with horror films is a big spoiler and distracts from the experience. Instead, silence is more horrifying. Bhoot carries no background music in most of the scenes that attempt to spook—especially in the first half. Yet, the build-up just doesn’t suck you in.

The narration would be to blame. Like most horror films, Bhoot builds up and builds up to the point of boring you with scenes that don’t look very different from each other. Like most horror films, Bhoot also tells you the real story in a quick 15-minute sequence towards the end. The unravelling comes too late and happens too fast. It doesn’t help that this story is the same “spirit” hocus-pocus—like most horror films.

If there’s nothing new, I don’t see how a horror film is expected to engage? Let alone creating intrigue for part two.

- meeta, a part of the audience

27 reviewers(?) - 0 yays 13 so-so 14 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

So-So, by Urmimala Banerjee, Bollywood Life : ...Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship is a good film to enjoy over popcorn. It is a sound product technically and the production will impress you. Moments from the film will stay with every horror film buff. It is a good one time watch.... full review

So-So, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Vicky Kaushal has tried hard to keep your interest awake in the film through his histrionics.... full review

So-So, by Vishal Verma, Glamsham.com : ...In spite of its glaringly haunting flaws, BHOOT – PART ONE: THE HAUNTED SHIP is a decent sonically atmospheric scare fest having Vicky Kaushal delivering an ‘arresting’ act. It offers something different from the routine Bollywood scares.... full review

So-So, by Monika Rawal Kukreja, Hindustan Times : ...To sum it up, Bhoot has its high and low points, but doesn’t leave you craving for more. Watch it for a good performance from Vicky Kaushal but avid lovers of the genre will go back disappointed.... full review

So-So, by Sonal Gera, India TV : ...'Bhoot The Haunted Ship', overall, makes up for the lost points too -- as it fully exploits the lump-in-the-stomach feeling -- while delivering what it initially promised. It's not a scarefest, but is pretty engaging. It also is one of the better-made horror movies in Indian cinema, and it deserves a dekko especially for that. Watch 'Bhoot' for Vicky Kaushal's stellar act, and a well-rounded psychological-cum-horror drama presented by a prominent production house -- a rarity in the Hindi film industry.... full review

So-So, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...Or even if intimate, you only wish this was a higher stakes' game, though. The wrecked ship is called Sea Bird. That's also the name of my building, where I'm going to be sleeping alone tonight. Am I feeling scared? Nope. Unless, of course, I speak too soon!... full review

So-So, by Kunal Guha, Mumbai Mirror : ...Bhoot: Part One - The Haunted Ship manages to intermittently hold one’s attention and engineers terrifying situations, but fails to keep up throughout its runtime.... full review

So-So, by Rohit Vats, News18.com : ...That doesn’t mean you won’t be entertained. There are scenes, adequately assisted by a frightening background score, which will make you spill the popcorn. But don’t demand more than that.... full review

So-So, Outlook India : ..."Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship" might just satiate hardcore horror buffs who are game for anything that the genre offers. All others, including Vicky''s fans, would be hoping that Part Two is better crafted.... full review

So-So, by Vaibhavi V Risbood, Pinkvilla : ...Despite a huge audience for horror genre in the country, Indian film industry in the last few years has not been able to deliver a film that gives you goosebumps. Save for cinematic brilliance showered in Tumbbad, there is hardly a film on the large screen that has made people believe in ghosts or mythical creature. It is an example of what can happen if a script ideal for OTT platforms is made into a film. Will recommend this movie for Vicky Kaushal's fans and those who are crazy about horror films.... full review

So-So, by Moumita Bhattacharajee, Rediff : ...Remove the jump scares from Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship and you are left with nothing. After a point, even that stops making an impact.... full review

So-So, by Ronak Kotecha, Times of India : ...While the film’s runtime is short, the pace seems exhausting because most of the scenes are concluded abruptly, leaving you waiting for the big reveal. However, the all-important backstory isn’t convincing enough to make your wait worth it. For a horror film, ‘Bhoot Part One the Haunted Ship’ falls short of sending chills down your spine. At best, it can give you a few spooks.... full review

Thumbs down, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...In few words, the present BHOOT is not even close to what we experienced while repeatedly watching Ram Gopal Varma’s BHOOT in packed halls more than 15 years back. Not qualifying for even a comparison, this certainly would be a tough watch on the online platforms too among the choice of much superior horror content available on a click. Frankly, this BHOOT should have also directly released online saving us from the torture in theatre, just like Dharma Production’s DRIVE.... full review

Thumbs down, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...The first-half does have a few touching moments showing Kaushal’s Prithvi grieving for his wife and daughter who died in a raft accident. But the second half moves from the raft to a scare-inducing craft on a ship that looks almost as deserted as the theatre where I saw Karan Johar’s silly scare attempts.... full review

Thumbs down, Bollywood Hungama : ...On the whole, BHOOT: PART ONE – THE HAUNTED SHIP suffers from a half-baked plot and a flawed narrative which leaves viewers confused. The end result is completely unconvincing, barring a few scenes that provide some chills. At the box office, it will be rejected by the audience. Disappointing!... full review

Thumbs down, by Deepa Gahlot, Deepa Gahlot : ...At some point, Prithvi is introduced to Dr Joshi (Ashutosh Rana), who is a scientist, bereavement counsellor and exorcist rolled into one; he goes about with a device that could be a spirit detector, and when need be, can chant mantras as well as the next tantrik. Vicky Kaushal wears one glum look, which does not differentiate between sorrow and dread.... full review

Thumbs down, by Riddhima Kanetkar, DNA : ...Watch it for Vicky Kaushal as he breathes life into the character he plays, gets better with every film, however, it would be easier to go ahead and watch Uri: The Surgical Strike again. At least then your 'josh!' would be high.... full review

Thumbs down, by Madhuri V, Filmi Beat : ...On and all, Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship is a big disappointment for horror film lovers. The film is dull and doesn’t live up to expectations. We give 1.5 stars out of 5 to Vicky Kaushal starrer, Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship.... full review

Thumbs down, by Vibha Maru, india today : ...Bhoot Part One: The Haunted Ship is drape and dreadfully boring. The film is produced by Karan Johar, who recently directed a segment of Netfllix's Ghost Stories, another gigantic failure.... full review

Thumbs down, by R.M. Vijayakar, India West : ...If you do watch a film to be spooked, go back to “Bhoot” circa 2003. But if you want to just have fun laughing at a horror film, this one’s just for you. Sad, because if some hard work had been done, this one would have been a “Wanted” ship.... full review

Thumbs down, by Shalini Langer, indian express : ...The ghost takes its while dying, leaving a glaring and bloody opening for a sequel. (Dharma, dipping its toes into horror, has promised a horror franchise, which is fertile territory given the dearth in Bollywood.)... full review

Thumbs down, by Akash Michandanir, Kia Gia : ...Vicky Kaushal’s strong performance ‘saves this ship’ from sinking!... full review

Thumbs down, by Umesh Punwani, koimoi : ...All said and done, Bhoot: Part One – The Haunted Ship is somewhere between a ‘Halloween’ & ‘Amavas’ and it just can’t ‘creep it real’. The genre lovers might find some moments to hold on but that’s about it.... full review

Thumbs down, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Bhoot: Part One - The Haunted Ship isn't an overlong film but, unfortunately, it takes next to no time to lose its rudder. Only the very, very faint-hearted will find its jump scares worth the din that surrounds them. For the rest, Bhoot: Part One is akin to a ride on a stranded ship. You start at point A and end at point A and, what's worse, with a headache you could have done without.... full review

Thumbs down, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...The set-up is promising, as are the atmospherics, but the Seabird’s mysteries turn out to be more banal than intended. The absence of a strongly plotted emotional undertow to convey the idea that personal loss can lead to a never-ending nightmare of literally monstrous proportions results in a half-full vessel that makes some noise.... full review

Thumbs down, The Hindu : ...Kaushal evokes the inner torment with requisite gravitas. All other characters, however, are there to serve the plot than getting individualised in any manner. The most problematic is the explicatory second half which takes the film back a full circle to the conventional, tacky horror films and TV shows we have been used to watching complete with “Hreem Kleem” Chamunda mantra like solution to tackle malicious spirits. Our ghosts are still much in need of a compelling update.... full review

Twitter reviews for this movie are not available.

5 readers - 2 yays 2 so-so 1 nays

Not Interested in Watching, by Jit : 60

Not Interested in Watching, by TimELiebe : I, OTOH, LOVE Horror Movies -- Though My American Sensibilities May Not Mesh With Desi Horror...

Want to Watch, by Aniket Kumar

Want to Watch, by dispensary : Houston

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Aaditya

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Aslam Shah : Outstanding

So-So, by hop lyrics : one time watch movie great sound effects

So-So, by Om Pandey

Nay! Thumbs Down, by Arijit : a big thumb down for story,wasted my time

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

  • Violence: The horror kind of violence. And murders and suicide. A man beating up a woman. A man being tortured.
  • Language: Clean
  • Nudity & Sexual content: A couple making out. Mention of rape.
  • Concept: A guilt-ridden man encounters a spirit
  • General Look and Feel: Dark, grim.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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Bhoot: Part One - The Haunted Ship - Cast, crew, links

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Running time:
120 minutes
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Comments (7)

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Oh, Meeta -- maybe you should hand this one off to one of your other contributors? You don't enjoy horror movies - don't subject yourself to this.

I know, right! But have no one to cover, so you got to do what you got to do. I have a feeling horror films get a rating more than what they are worth because I scare easy.

Khu

If you don't like horror, please don't watch the film and hand it to someone who does not mind horror or better, someone who likes horror.

Because you will end up giving it a bad review and people who like the genre are going to read your review and some will make up their minds.

Every genre should be watched by either a neutral person or someone who likes the genre. As most of the people interested after watching the trailer are going to be horror buffs and you coming from a pre-determined negative perception is not fair.

Wogma, I would suggest you avoid the review if you don't have any other writer. A lot of effort is put into making a film, and it is not fair to the public or the makers if someone is forced to watch a genre that they don't like.

@Khu I have given this a lot of thought.

Being unbiased would also mean I shouldn't watch genres that I like because that would mean I go with a pre-conceived positive notion.

I totally respect the time and effort put in by the film-makers. So, most times, if I am stuck between two ratings, I go for the higher one. If it were not for them and their effort, I wouldn't be watching any movies at all.

Also, I respect that my choice will not match my readers' choice. Which is why, I write my reviews such that the reader knows why I didn't like or like the film. If they think their ideas match with mine, they should go with my rating. If they think my reasons are not good enough, they take the opposite call. I have explained this in detail here--https://wogma.com/article/why-read-a-review/

I have realised there are two genres I dislike--horror and adult sex-comedy. The latter, I know there is zero-to-negligible chance of me liking it, so I skip it with the reasons given in a note on the movie Horror though, I know I don't like because of the creepiness it creates inside me physically. So, if I get that feeling, it means the movie is well-made. And I rate it accordingly.

Bhoot is really haunted movie.It gonna be blockbuster.Super review.

I didn't like story, a big thumb down for story

Not so good not so bad.

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