When the curtains rise on Shiendrey, the latest film from director DD Kinley Tshering, the audience is instantly thrown into the unsettling, unnerving world of an ancient mansion shrouded in eerie folklore.

Shiendrey is as much a story of paranormal mysteries as it is about human idiosyncrasies—terrifying as well as absurdly comic. Blending the eerie with the laughable, this horror-comedy film delivers a ride that is thrilling, unpredictable, and downright fun.

Clocking in at 2 hours and 45 minutes, Shiendrey follows the saga of a centuries-old ancestral home in the remote village, which is thought to be haunted. The villagers claim that during full moon nights, strange, melodious folk songs drift from the house—songs that might be the voice of a long-dead spirit.

The business-minded owner of the property wants to debunk the haunted-house reputation to build a museum. Rather than accept the supernatural, the company’s owner embarks on a bold venture: an elaborate game, inviting a group of strangers to spend three nights in the house, with the promise of a substantial cash prize to the last person standing.

What follows is a blend of classic haunted house horror tropes and sharp, playful comedy, spiced up with delightful plot twists. The participants, some skeptical, others genuinely frightened, soon realise that the line between what is real and what is staged becomes increasingly difficult to decipher. As the paranormal events escalate, the house seems to come alive with secrets—both supernatural and human.

What elevates Shiendrey above the crowded genre of horror-comedy is the director’s masterful handling of both genres. DD Kinley Tshering, who first captivated audiences with his 2022 horror block bluster Taba Hoka, has once again proven that when the right balance is struck, horror films can be both commercially successful and critically acclaimed.

In Shiendrey,  he skillfully weaves together the tension of spine-chilling moments with laugh-out-loud absurdities. The result is a film that moves from gasp-worthy tension to spontaneous bursts of laughter in a heartbeat, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, unsure whether to scream or giggle.

The ensemble cast, including Phuntshok Dhoden (known for Chasing Star), Karma Samdrup (Anku), Horgola, Choeten Wangcuk (Apala), and the multitalented Pema Deki, among others, bring both humor and humanity to their roles. The characters range from the naïve to the outright cynical, and their chemistry—whether in moments of comedic bickering or genuine terror—feels both grounded and absurd in all the right ways. It is a group of people caught in the most ridiculous, terrifying situation, yet it is their responses to the terror that are at times more chilling than the house itself. This fine balance between comedy and horror is achieved through both subtle character development and the unpredictable pacing of the film’s narrative.

Visually, Shiendrey is a masterpiece of mood and atmosphere. Shot in the hauntingly beautiful setting of Bjoka mansion, the location is almost another character in itself. The old, blackened walls of this ancestral home of Bjoka Chhukpo, with its creaking floorboards, and untold history, provides the perfect backdrop to the film.

The cinematography, by Yeshi Thai (Orchid Bar series) elevates the mansion’s presence into something larger than life—its every shadow pregnant with possibility, its corners hiding secrets that seem to whisper just beyond our understanding. The house becomes as much a part of the horror as the spectral forces that haunt it.

The film’s technical execution is equally impressive. The sound design is superb, enhancing the tension at every turn. The creak of a floorboard, the whisper of wind, the eerie hum of a the folk song, the clanking of chains—all are amplified through precise sound work that keeps the audience attuned to every subtle nuance.

DD Kinley Tshering’s command of these elements ensures that the horror never becomes too predictable, and the comedy never overstays its welcome. When combined with a colour palette that shifts from warm, inviting tones to cold, oppressive hues, the technical achievements of Shiendrey help immerse viewers in a world that feels as though it is constantly shifting between reality and nightmare.

The plot is also complex enough to hold the interest of the audience. What’s particularly refreshing is the unpredictability of the narrative. The film skilfully avoids the familiar trappings of the genre, offering numerous twists and turns that keep even the most seasoned horror-comedy fans on their toes.

The film’s humor comes not just from witty dialogue but from the absurdity of the situation: a group of people who have signed up for a “haunted house experience” only to find themselves facing genuine terror.

Ultimately, Shiendrey succeeds in delivering an exhilarating blend of horror and comedy that feels both fresh and thrilling. The scares land with intensity, while the humour provides the perfect relief. It is rare to find a film that can make you both laugh and squirm in equal measure. And for this very reason, this is one film you will want to experience—not just for the thrills, but for the laughs you will share along the way.

Shiendrey is currently screening at Lugar Theatre in Thimphu.

Contributed by

Thinley Wangchuk, filmmaker and creative director at Samuh