• Release year: 2024–
• Director: Nuhash Humayun.
• Producer: Redoan Rony.
• Screenplay by: Nuhash Humayun and Gultekin Khan.
• Cinematography by: Xoaher Musavvir and Abdul Mamun.
• Music by: Avishek Bhattacharjee.

Shotgun Commentary: captivating journey built with extraordinary adventures.

Review

Dui Shaw is a series with one season of four episodes, so far. Each of them is an independent story, mostly surrounding mythological and religious themes. Although some narratives are referenced in other episodes, these references are not crucial to the main storyline, making it perfectly possible to curate your own viewing experience at will.

01.

The first of the four episodes is “Waqt”, or “Time” in English. It tells the story of a group of friends who vandalise a temple to get some extra money, awakening a spirit that will punish them for their transgression in the goriest ways possible.

This episode is the perfect opening for the show. The elements of gore set the tone of the product, while its aesthetics establish its visual quality. Additionally, the performances are absolutely on point and the story is thrilling to the very end. As far as opening episodes go, Dui Shaw can be proud of its “Waqt”, it’s definitely not a waste of idem.

02.

The second episode is “Bhaggo Bhalo”, translated as “Good Luck” in English. It has only one protagonist, a fortune-teller who breaks the rules of his craft in order to create his own luck. While this episode doesn’t disrupt the next two ones, its ending makes it more suitable as a season ending than a second story.

Still, the continuity isn’t completely broken, so it won’t dampen your experience. This episode has arguably the creepiest scene of the whole season, at least for people who have trouble in crowds or getting touched my strangers, like yours truly. It is considerably less gore than its predecessor, but manages to spook you just as well. Additionally, it has an added layer of spirituality outside religion, channelled through the concept of luck, that is engrossing to watch.

03.

A personal favourite by far is the “Antara” episode. No translation, because Antara is the name of the protagonist. This story follows a meek housewife whose daily life begins to warp horribly. This suffocating development forces her to find herself and figure out how to exist outside her husband’s sphere. The storyline is particularly fascinating as it uses religion and folklore as a front for a more relevant cautionary tale, especially in countries where sexism is so ingrained in society.

It presents the suffering of staying in an abusive relationship and the rewards of getting out. Most importantly, it doesn’t only show the struggle to achieve freedom, a subject all women are highly aware of. It also communicates the immense sense of pride, power, and happiness that breaking free can bring.

Antara is portrayed by Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed. The Bangladeshi actress is an absolute gem waiting to be discovered, something that will hopefully happen soon, as her talent is a true force to behold. She not only carries the narrative wonderfully, but also has a tremendously powerful presence that makes it impossible to diverge your attention to anything other than her story.

04.

Last but not least, there’s “Beshura”, which can be translated as “Voiceless”. The protagonist in this one is an 8-year-old girl who lives in a village where everyone is talented except for her. This tale merges with that of Eve and the apple in the garden of Eden. Why? How? Well, you’ll have to watch it to find out. Suffice to say, both the combination of legends and the development of the story itself are a marvel to behold.

All in all, Dui Shaw is a fantastic horror show for people who are still getting the taste of the genre, as well as for seasoned horror lovers in search for something new to watch. Free from the Hollywood constraints, this series brings fresh stories with zero clichés that will surprise and chill you beginning to end.

Dui Shaw is part of the Raindance Film Festival 2025 programme, taking place in London now. Find all the info here!

Advice to take from this movie:

• Don’t mess with powers/beliefs you don’t understand.
• Don’t visit fortune-tellers, it’s not worth it.
• It is never too late to free yourself from a toxic relationship.
• The world is not over if you have no artistic talent whatsoever.

What’s your take? Have you watched Dui Shaw? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀