The new Malayalam language movie “Romancham,” released on online platforms, is being talked about for its idiosyncratic characters, fresh storyline, and a new outlook on the horror-comedy genre. Directed by Jeethu Madhavan, the film is set in the year 2007 in Bangalore and the plot is based on a true story(apparently!) revolving around a few bachelors living together. In an attempt to quell boredom they start to engage with the Ouija board and accidentally summon the spirit of a woman called Anamika, who starts to create chaos in their lives. Let’s take a look at 7 films similar to it:
This Is The End (2013)
This 2013 apocalyptic horror comedy is one of the best when it comes to this particular genre. Directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the movie is so meta, it’s mind-boggling. It stars James Franco, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Jay Baruchel, among others, who are all basically playing themselves in the movie, albeit in an exaggerated way. The plot begins when, at one of James Franco’s lavish house parties, people experience the beginning of the apocalypse. Soon they find it’s a worldwide phenomenon, and while many celebrities die escaping, Franco, with some of his friends, gets trapped in the house, and hilarity ensues. If you’re looking for a horror comedy that’s pitch-perfect at delivering jokes while mixing them with scary moments, this movie is for you. It’s available on Zee5.
Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
No recent movie has had as much of an impact on horror comedies as Edgar Wright’s Shaun of the Dead. Directed on a stringent budget, the classic English film stars Mission Impossible fame Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Two underachievers unassumingly tread the heroic path when they try to rescue their loved ones from a zombie apocalypse and get them to their favorite pub, ‘The Winchester.’ With laugh-out-loud moments in abundance, this film has scenes to send chills down anyone’s spine. What’s truly remarkable is that it manages to be a poignant tale about friendship and family in a genre that doesn’t leave much room for that. It’s brilliantly acted, masterfully written, and directed to absolute perfection. Do catch it; it’s available for rent on Amazon Prime.
Go Goa Gone (2013)
What happens when three useless friends, in hopes of having a good time, go to Goa and are ambushed by flesh-eating zombies? You guessed it: we get a hilarious horror comedy. Directed by Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru, the film stars Vir Das, Anand Tiwari, Kunal Khemu, Puja Gupta, and Saif Ali Khan. With pop references and homage-like sequences tipping their hats to great classics, the makers have presented an entertaining flick. The acting is surprisingly good, and the characters’ viewpoints toward a zombie apocalypse add to the humor. It’s streaming on JioCinema.
Ghostbusters (1984)
The original “Ghostbusters” was a trailblazer in the buddy horror comedy genre. Featuring the likes of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis, it gave a template for a successful film of this particular genre. Many have tried replicating this formula since, but the magic of the original always keeps eluding them. Directed by Ivan Reitman, the story revolves around three scientists who take up the job of catching ghosts after losing their credibility in the scientific arena. With almost cult status, the movie is a must-watch for any movie buff, and it’s available for rent on YouTube.
The Cabin In The Woods (2011)
A group of friends visits a cabin in a remote jungle for an adventurous holiday. As expected, things start to go awry, and people start ending up dead. This postmodern horror comedy, directed by Drew Goddard and co-written by Joss Whedon, gives the viewer a completely new vision of the horror-comedy genre. Beginning with deliberate cliche tropes, the film ends up as a brilliant satire on the genre, trying to open up pathways for newer stories to come through. Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Fran Kranz, and Bradley Whitford, among others, the movie has a fresh philosophy on the horror genre, making it a must-watch for fans. It’s streaming on Lionsgate Play.
Tremors (1990)
Starring 80s dancing sensation Kevin Bacon and the macho Fred Ward, this 1990 classic makes for essential viewing among friends. Directed by Ron Underwood, the film is a story about small-town residents who are attacked by creatures from the underground. Made on an absolutely stringent budget, the film manages to look and feel realistic, all within the expectations of the genre, but never misses out on delivering humorous moments. It’s available on Amazon Prime Video.
Stree (2018)
Another one on the list by the director duo Raj and DK, the hilarious horror comedy stars Rajkumar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Shraddha Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, and Pankaj Tripathi. The plot revolves around the legend of a female ghost who preys on men in a small village in India and how three friends get caught in the middle of the conflict. With a feminist message and a great star cast, the film was a massive hit at the time of release and deserves to be viewed by movie lovers. It is streaming on JioCinema.
“Romancham” is a great buddy horror comedy with eclectic characters and an engaging story. It’s streaming on Disney+Hotstar.