Hejal Pandey

So, Pyre (2024) – what a wild ride. The movie drops you right into this sleepy, sun-baked village where everything seems pretty chill on the surface, but you can feel this weird tension simmering. Hejal Pandey’s character, honestly, just pulls you in. She’s got that kind of presence where you’re not sure if you should root for her or be a little scared. The story kicks off with a young couple on the run, desperate and totally out of options, and you just know things aren’t gonna end well. There’s this whole vibe of secrets buried everywhere – in the fields, in the old ruins, even in the glances people give each other. The village isn’t just a backdrop; it’s basically a living, breathing character, holding onto old grudges and traditions that nobody really talks about but everyone knows. Stuff starts spiraling fast, and every little choice the characters make just turns the screws tighter. What really smacks you is how the movie deals with fear and guilt. It isn’t in-your-face horror, but man, the dread just creeps up on you. There are no cheap jump scares, just this slow, suffocating build-up. By halfway through, you’re probably sweating, waiting for the next shoe to drop. The cinematography? Gorgeous and haunting at the same time. And Pandey, she delivers this raw, real performance—you can’t look away. By the end, you’re left a little haunted, kind of questioning what you’d do if you were stuck in a place where the only way out is through fire.