Rat In The Kitchen Review: Directed and written by Arkish Aftab, The horrifying thriller short film stars Mantra Mugdh as Vikram, Aishwarya Desai as Riya, Amit Jha as Watchman and others. The movie has a runtime of 20 minutes. The story is based on the true incident that happened with Joe Cummings in New York, in 2009.
Rat In The Kitchen Plot
In the midst of a bitter divorce, Vikram’s home became a puzzling battlefield. Every time he stepped inside, the kitchen greeted him in chaos, as if a storm had passed through. Utensils were scattered, cabinets ajar and pantry items were strewn about. Frustration led him to install CCTV cameras, suspecting a pest problem. Yet, what he uncovered was beyond imagination. He dug further as reality became hazy, teetering on the brink of an unearthly epiphany.
-Rat In The Kitchen Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
Rat In The Kitchen Review
Rat in the Kitchen is a horrifying truth that actually happened to Joe Cummings in New York. It’s a reality that will give you nightmares, especially if you are someone living alone in a flat and suddenly find out that you are not alone, and someone is staying with you. Just thinking about the scenario feels creepy, right? The theme of the story revolves around loneliness, a lack of belonging, and emotional bereavement. Vikram, the protagonist, is depicted as someone grappling with the new normal of his life, finding solace in alcohol and memories of his departed love.
The pervasive sense of neglect permeates various aspects of his existence, including his emotional, mental, physical, and moral well-being. This neglect is eroding his sense of ownership and control over his own life. The quest of Vikram’s emotions has been shown perfectly, depicting him as an unhappy man living alone (or at least he thinks so). However, the narrative takes a dark turn when Vikram discovers that he is not alone in his house. The intrusion of an unknown presence, symbolized by the mysterious disappearance of food, introduces an element of suspense and tension.

Rat in The Kitchen intricately weaves together visual and auditory elements to craft a suspenseful and foreboding atmosphere. Set primarily in Vikram’s isolated house, the interplay of light and shadow, coupled with cinematic techniques like low-key lighting and dark hues, creates a palpable sense of unease. The film’s technical prowess is evident in its careful attention to detail. The use of moonlight and TV light for interior shots creates an eerie atmosphere, effectively immersing the audience in Vikram’s world of unease and apprehension.
The integration of audio and visual elements is skilfully executed, weaving a seamless cinematic experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. This careful craftsmanship elevates the film beyond typical horror fare, presenting a disturbing portrayal of real events that leave a lasting impact.
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What sets Rat in the Kitchen apart is its commitment to authenticity. While the story is undoubtedly disturbing, it remains grounded in reality, making it all the more horrifying. The revelation of the true culprit behind the thefts is a masterstroke, leaving audiences with a profound sense of the psychological toll these events took on Vikram. Rat in the Kitchen is more than a run-of-the-mill horror; it’s a psychological thriller that delves deep into the human psyche, unearthing the hidden fears and vulnerabilities lurking within us all. This film is a testament to the power of storytelling, leaving viewers haunted by its harrowing tale long after the credits roll.

The film managed to cover three major plots in just 20 minutes and will make you think about what can happen if you are not aware of things. As for Vikram, it showed that he was disturbed in his life and that drinking was escapism for him. But that escapism was the main reason that he went through a so-called rat. It also conveys the issue of an unaware watchman, which many in society suffer from. It illustrates how unawareness can lead to a tragic end.
Rat In The Kitchen Review: Final Thoughts
It’s the real deal of the story that will make you think and wonder about things that aren’t even happening to you. But it will make you anxious. The story sticks to its reality, which is good, but also showing why the culprit was doing that would have made a little more sense. The thought that a rat is spoiling food and things in the house can turn out to be so horrifying incident that we can never think about. However, as it was a short film, it did justice to the story. The characters and the cinematography were just amazing.
Watch Rat In The Kitchen on Jio Cinema.
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