The Curfew (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

When Ayaan (Sathya Sridharan) is forced to become the temporary caregiver for his grandmother, Nayyar (Balinder Johal), he realizes that a series of differences between them are sure to make things challenging. The Curfew takes viewers on a quasi-magical ride that transcends the rocky terrain of a colonial past–exploring the difficulties of a language barrier that promises to drive a wedge between Ayaan and his past. 

I thought about The Curfew for days before sitting down to write a review. To be honest, that stemmed from a lack of time–but what resulted was a stronger appreciation for one specific aspect of the film: the sound. The item in particular that remains ever-present in my mind is the entry bell that Ayaan is forced to install to keep better track of his grandmother. The ding, a sound that one might typically associate with one entering a smaller shop (a positive sound, really, as it echoes the sentiment of welcoming someone in), is used in a different way throughout The Curfew. It becomes a harrowing echo that transcends the dark hallways present in the film, and it works to represent the intensity that slowly crushes Ayaan as he’s clearly out of his depth. This is a sound that has remained present in my subconscious since finishing up The Curfew days before I was able to sit down and fully flesh out a review; a brilliant sentiment that effectively represents the film as a whole. 

But wait, there’s more…

While the sound is ultimately the prominent aspect of that aforementioned entry bell, it’s paired with a red light that acts to metaphorically express the danger present in the relationship between this grandson and grandmother, as well as the continued risk of losing a woman who effectively plays the role of matriarch to this fractured family. The Curfew pulls out all the stops, employing such a simple device that plays an incredibly pivotal role in the whole of the film. 

What might sometimes come as a result of a lack of focus or too much light exposure in other films, orbs, are used to develop suspense and help to transition viewers from place to place throughout The Curfew. Those aforementioned orbs play a role in shifting the tone of the film, and preparing the audience for the introduction of the magical realism element that will play a role in developing Ayaan. 

The Curfew is technically sound, and it’s clear that Writer-Director Shehrezad Maher understands how to use all that’s available to develop emotion and suspense. The Curfew is a relatively simple film that uses ordinary objects to add depth and provide viewers access throughout. 

Written & Directed by Shehrezad Maher. 

Starring Sathya Sridharan, Balinder Johal, Sara Haider, Rajesh Bose, Chris Thorn, & Salwa Khan. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING