15 November,2025 10:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya Nambiar
Still from Inspection Bungalow
The new Malayalam web series Inspection Bungalow is pitched as a seven-episode horror-comedy, but it ultimately works more as a nostalgia trip to the early 2000s - a time dominated by temple priests, white-clad ghosts, and familiar horror tropes. While the horror-comedy space has evolved significantly in recent years, Inspection Bungalow seems unsure of what new it has to offer and instead leans heavily on the genre's most predictable beats.
Set in a small Kerala town, the story follows a group of policemen who are temporarily moved to the notorious Inspection Bungalow after government funds for their rundown police station are delayed. The bungalow's reputation precedes it - thieves would rather confess to crimes they haven't committed than step inside the place.
At the heart of the story is Vishnu (Shabareesh Varma), a deeply religious officer who believes rituals can protect them from any supernatural presence. His colleague Parameswaran (Saju Sreedhar), a staunch rationalist, refuses to believe in God or ghosts. Despite their opposing worldviews, the two team up to investigate a string of mysterious deaths at the bungalow and uncover how they tie into the alleged hauntings.
Vishnu, desperate for answers, turns to a godman and Mythili (Aadhya Prasad), a self-proclaimed ghost hunter equipped with a device that supposedly detects "paranormal waves".
Written and directed by Saiju SS, the series benefits from strong performances by its primary cast - Shabareesh Varma, Aadhya Prasad, Saju Sreedhar, and others who bring sincerity to their roles. The eerie small-town setting and the atmospheric design of the bungalow work in the show's favour.
There are thoughtful elements too, such as the coexistence of believers and non-believers without judgment, and the subtle way the narrative shows differing ideologies working toward a common goal. The plot has potential, and some character arcs offer glimpses of what the series could have achieved with sharper writing.
Unfortunately, Inspection Bungalow rarely delivers on either horror or comedy. Despite having all the right ingredients - a haunted setting, an eclectic cast, and intriguing backstories - the series never moves beyond stereotypical portrayals. The horror feels recycled, the humour barely registers, and the narrative relies too heavily on clichés from 90s and early-2000s horror films.
From the ghost in a modernised white outfit to ritual-heavy exorcism sequences and revenge-driven ghost arcs, the show slips into predictable territory, offering little innovation or genuine thrills.
Inspection Bungalow had the potential to be a fresh addition to Malayalam horror-comedy, but it settles instead for safe, familiar territory. While the performances and setting keep the series watchable, the writing lacks the punch needed to deliver real scares or memorable humour. For viewers seeking nostalgia, it may offer a mild throwback. But for those expecting a genre-defining experience, Inspection Bungalow falls short - much like its haunted bungalow, it echoes with the shadows of what could have been.
