Karma

Karma is a gripping 2018 horror film directed by Nicholas Simon, starring Mandela Van Peebles, Brytni Sarpy, and Kanoa Goo. The film combines supernatural elements with intense drama to create a macabre and downright haunted tapestry that explores the mysterious connection between one's actions and their repercussions in ways previously untouched on the silver screen.

Mandela Van Peebles — carrying forward a legacy of the renowned American actor, filmmaker, and author, Mario Van Peebles — takes on the lead role of Manny. Mandela's performance is profoundly riveting as Manny, a man whose life is about to change radically. Amidst maintaining an everyday life, Manny comes across as an ordinary individual, a loving father, and husband until the consequences of a past, unwholesome deed stir a supernatural revenge. Van Peebles flawlessly brings to life Manny’s imploding world with an air of alarming bewilderment and defensive resolve.

Brytni Sarpy, known for her work on daytime television, significantly broadens her range as Manny's wife, Alicia. Alicia is a strong, compassionate woman who finds herself in a surreal situation beyond her comprehension. Sarpy delivers an empowering performance, driving the narrative's emotional depth, as Alicia must fight not just for her sanity but also for the safety of her family.

Kanoa Goo, who has shown his prowess in television series, plays a valorous role in the plot. His character adds another layer to the narrative's intricacies, painting a vivid picture of how karma interweaves various lives and situations.

As for the narrative itself, Karma comes across as a horror-mystery hybrid carrying a significant metaphysical undercurrent. It explores how one man's actions spiral into a terrifying series of events, creating ripple effects that carry tremendous impact. The story plays out like a morality tale, with subtle references to reaping what one sows.

The plot is mysterious, full of suspense, catching the audience off guard while progressively revealing the correlation between loyalty, love, bravery, deception, and retribution. While maintaining an ominous atmosphere throughout, the movie also punctuates with terrifying moments of supernatural intervention, raising the stakes higher for the characters and fueling the chilling suspense to a higher degree.

Karma is primarily set in contemporaneous suburban America. The director skillfully creates an atmospheric canvas where a commonplace, family-oriented neighborhood transforms into a haunting arena where unseen cosmic powers meddle relentlessly. Clever cinematography presents a stark contrast between the mundane reality and eerie elements, infusing a sensation of uncertainty and dread that magnifies the narrative's impact.

Further enhancing the horror is the chilling soundtrack that pays a fitting homage to classic horror scoring. The aptly chosen music adds to the narrative’s oppressive atmosphere and tension, creating a heightened sense of dread, danger, and impending doom.

What sets Karma apart is not just the supernatural elements woven into the plot but its introspective exploration of morality and fate. It delves deep into the concept of karma - the very foundation of cause and effect, which articulates a broader philosophical dialogue about consequences and atonement.

Special effects brilliantly used to highlight the supernatural aspects do not overshadow the story's essence. Instead, they perfectly accentuate the terrifying reality of the characters, giving the audience bone-chilling moments while keeping them engrossed in the narrative's unfolding drama.

In conclusion, Karma is a genre-bending horror film that provides a healthy dose of scares and tension while also managing to offer existentialist ruminations about retribution and comeuppance. The plot's suspense is driven home by a capable cast that consistently delivers throughout the film’s runtime. With it's carefully constructed plot, gripping performances by the lead actors, and eerie artistic presentation, Karma leaves a lasting impression on viewers, making it a must-watch for aficionados of horror and thriller genres.