Overview and Plot
Deemak is a 2025 Pakistani horror drama directed by Rafay Rashdi and written by Ayesha Muzaffar. The film premiered on Eid al-Adha and stands out as one of the few high-profile horror films to come out of Pakistan in recent years. It revolves around a middle-class family experiencing terrifying and unexplained events inside their home. What begins as minor disturbances soon escalates into full-blown psychological and supernatural horror. As the eerie occurrences grow more intense, the cracks in familial relationships widen, creating a disturbing blend of internal and external threats. The film cleverly uses the metaphor of “Deemak” (termite) to reflect how both fear and resentment can slowly and silently destroy a household from within.
Cast and Performances
The film features a stellar ensemble cast that brings its emotional weight and psychological depth to life.
- Faysal Qureshi plays the troubled son/husband caught between loyalty to his mother and his increasingly frightened wife.
- Sonya Hussyn delivers a compelling performance as a woman slowly unraveling under the weight of unseen terror and emotional neglect.
- Industry veterans like Samina Peerzada, Bushra Ansari, and Javed Sheikh contribute gravitas, portraying layered characters involved in a tense, complex family dynamic.
Each actor brings intensity and believability to their roles, grounding the film’s supernatural elements in emotional realism.
Visuals and Sound
From a technical standpoint, Deemak is a standout production in Pakistani cinema. The cinematography by Rana Kamran, along with support from Canadian production teams, elevates the visual quality to international standards. Lighting, camera angles, and set design work together to create a claustrophobic, eerie atmosphere that perfectly suits the genre.
The sound design deserves special mention. Minimalist and unsettling, the audio effects rely on silence, ambient noises, and subtle shifts in tone rather than overused horror clichés. Elements like creaking doors, sudden whispers, and distant tapping contribute to an atmosphere of paranoia. The scenes involving levitating furniture, shadowy figures, and unexplainable movements are executed with impressive VFX rarely seen in local productions.
Themes and Symbolism
What sets Deemak apart from typical horror films is its layered storytelling. At its heart, the film is less about ghosts and more about emotional trauma, intergenerational conflict, and suppressed anger within the family unit. The “termite” metaphor works on multiple levels: it reflects how psychological decay and mistrust, left unchecked, can silently destroy the foundation of a family.
The film also touches upon culturally familiar themes such as the presence of jinns, the stigma of mental illness, and the complex relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. This cultural grounding enhances the horror, making it relatable and more deeply unsettling for local audiences.
Strengths
- High production value and visual quality are uncommon in the local horror scene.
- Strong performances from a seasoned cast.
- A script that prioritizes psychological tension over cheap scares.
- A culturally rooted narrative that feels authentic and impactful.
- A strong metaphor that elevates the horror beyond the paranormal into emotional and social commentary.
Weaknesses
- The family drama trope of in-law conflict may feel familiar to some viewers.
- The film’s pacing, depending on individual taste, may lean toward slow-burn rather than fast-paced scares.
- As it is a new genre direction for Pakistani cinema, some viewers might find the blend of horror and emotional drama unexpected.
Overall Verdict
Deemak is a refreshing and intelligent addition to Pakistani cinema. It dares to push genre boundaries by combining horror with meaningful family dynamics and societal commentary. Rafay Rashdi’s direction, combined with Ayesha Muzaffar’s strong screenplay and emotionally charged performances, results in a film that is both haunting and thought-provoking.
This movie is not just for horror fans but also for anyone interested in films that explore emotional complexity through unconventional storytelling. Its mix of psychological and supernatural horror, tied to relatable cultural themes, makes it one of the most ambitious Pakistani films in recent years.
Who Should Watch It
- Fans of atmospheric, slow-burning horror
- Viewers interested in stories that explore family dynamics and cultural tension
- Supporters of Pakistani cinema are looking for something fresh and genre-breaking
Final Thoughts
Deemak is more than just a horror film. It’s a mirror held up to the hidden fears and emotional termites that gnaw at family life. Whether or not you’re a fan of horror, this film is worth watching for its storytelling, performances, and bold attempt to do something different in Pakistani cinema.