An intentionally dialogue-lean exercise in a decent concept on a minuscule budget and the result is engaging but undermined by its limitations. It is unfortunately necessary to hamstring the titular entity by defining strict rules of engagement by which it must operate, but this is a personal gripe as I feel the Djinn as a concept deserve far better than this representation (Wishmaster this is not). The child actor is quite excellent, giving a surprisingly excellent and passionate performance, but I do wonder if playing a mute without dialogue helps. The film is confined to a single apartment achieving far more than the glut of cg laden slockfests through effective visual framing, lighting and atmosphere. While the film is admirable in stretching its limited budget, the counter is that the action and visual storytelling cannot really convey much of what it might desire. While not a long movie, there are far too many instances of the same basic ‘hide and seek’ through a small apartment with a supposedly cosmic entity that seems far too flawed and easily defeated. The movie toys with an interesting parallel between the mute child and a blind entity, who can only rely on tricks to achieve its end. The visual scares and jumps are well executed, if overused and always accompanied with annoying soundtrack precursor. (A quick aside: I am becoming actively weary with the deluge of retro-synth 80’s throwback setting and soundtracks). Unfortunately, many of the film's tricks and tactics become weary and far too predictable and there are long stretches where tension and boredom alternate. But by the end, most of the emotional beats land and the movie manages a nicely effective coda all the while demonstrating good direction, performances and script will always trump excessive effects and cheap tactics.
The Djinn (2021)