Aranmanai 4, released in May 2024, is the latest installment in the Tamil horror-comedy franchise. Reviews for the film have been mixed.

During a festival in Northeast India, a priest and his daughter arrive at a temple by boat. When the daughter is harmed and her blood pours into the river, Baak, a shapeshifting monster, emerges. Baak murders the daughter and assumes her identity. The priest then imprisons Baak's spirit in a vessel, forcing it to take his daughter's place permanently for the sake of his wife. The setting switches to a village, where Selvi and her husband reside with their two children, Shakthi and Saravanan Jr. Selvi's husband dies of a heart attack in the wilderness, and she appears to hang herself in their well. Shakthi enters a coma after witnessing her mother's death

Here's a breakdown of some of the criticisms and praises:

Criticisms:

• Clichéd plot and horror elements: Many reviewers found the story predictable and the scares reliant on jump scares and loud noises, rather than genuine suspense. Film Companion [invalid URL removed] mentioned an interesting opening scene that wasn't followed through on, leading to a more generic horror experience.
• Unsuccessful blend of horror and comedy: Some reviewers felt the film struggled to balance its horror and comedic elements, resulting in neither being particularly effective.

Praises:

• Potential for a fun, campy experience: While some found the horror lacking, others suggested that viewers who enjoy campy horror comedies might find entertainment in "Aranmanai 4".

      Here's what I found on Aranmanai 4:

• Box Office Success: The Times of India [Times of India Aranmanai 4 box office] reports that Aranmanai 4 was a commercial success, grossing over ₹75 crore and becoming the second highest grossing Tamil film of 2024 (as of May 18th).
• Mixed Reviews: Reviews for the film have been mixed. Some praise its entertainment value for fans of campy horror comedies, while others criticize the predictable plot and lack of scares.
• Plot Summary: You can find a detailed plot summary on Wikipedia [Wikipedia Aranmanai 4]. The story revolves around a family living in a haunted house, a vengeful spirit, and a race to stop it before it claims more victims.

Overall, if you're looking for a fresh take on horror or innovative scares, Aranmanai 4 might not be the film for you. However, if you enjoy familiar horror tropes and don't mind a blend of comedy, it could be a fun watch.