‘Inspection Bungalow’: Quirky humour shines, the horror less so | The Haunted Column

Horror comedy is one of those genres that either clicks instantly or collapses the moment the balance slips. When it works, the laughs loosen the tension and the scares slip in naturally. When it doesn’t, you’re left with half-baked jokes and predictable frights. Sitting somewhere in the middle of this tightrope is ZEE5’s new Malayalam series, ‘Inspection Bungalow’, directed by S S Saiju and led by Shabareesh Varma, Shaju Sreedhar, and Aadya Prasad.

The seven-episode series revolves around a fearsome old bungalow that everyone in the locality avoids. Stories of unnatural deaths, eerie sightings, and general bad energy have turned it into a place nobody wants to go near. Which is why SI Vishnu (Shabareesh Varma) and his team are horrified when the local MLA insists that their entire police station be shifted into this abandoned, supposedly haunted house. The premise itself is funny, but the way the officers react makes it even better. The show doesn’t rely on jump scares to establish fear. Sometimes, just the look on their faces is enough.

Vishnu is an especially interesting lead. He’s devout, earnest, and convinced that rituals and chants can keep evil at bay. His mantras inside the station are some of the most entertaining moments in the series. They aren’t making fun of faith; they capture the image of a man clinging to whatever he can to stay calm when everything feels off. Shabareesh Varma plays him with an honesty that holds the comedy together, making even his quirks feel believable.

The story gets its real push when paranormal investigator Mythili (Aadya Prasad) enters the picture. Until her arrival, the officers mostly react to shadows, noises, and their own panicked imaginations. Mythili brings a sense of clarity and direction, helping them piece together the truth behind the mysterious deaths connected to the bungalow. Aadya plays her with a calm, contained confidence that contrasts nicely with the officers’ restless fear. Her scenes often shift the humour from slapstick to something more deadpan, especially since she refuses to entertain their dramatic reactions.

What keeps ‘Inspection Bungalow’ lively is its commitment to its quirks. The officers’ exchanges feel silly and innocent in the best way. Malayalam horror comedies often thrive on this mix of fear and foolishness, and this series taps into it well. Even the smallest arguments about who should check a suspicious sound or which room feels cursed add to the charm. Their constant attempts to appear brave while being terrified inside create many of the show’s funniest moments.

The series isn’t trying to reinvent horror. The writing does wobble in parts and occasionally feels thin. The humour, though, lands more often than it misses because the cast fully understands the tone. They behave like a group forced into bravery by circumstance, and that underlying tension makes their reactions feel both relatable and funny.

Where the show falters is in its emotional depth and the mystery at its core. The backstory of the deaths is intriguing but not fully fleshed out, and some plot turns feel too convenient. At times the narrative circles around familiar tropes instead of digging deeper. Still, the pacing is tight, and the episodes move quickly enough that you never feel stuck.

In the end, ‘Inspection Bungalow’ works because it doesn’t try to be more than it is. It’s a light, enjoyable horror-comedy with a cast that leans into the absurdity of the premise. The humour is clean, the scares are mild, and the setting is atmospheric enough to keep things moving. It may not break new ground, but it has heart and delivers an easy, fun watch for anyone who enjoys their ghosts served with giggles.

If you walk in expecting a playful, slightly silly ride rather than a game-changing horror experience, ‘Inspection Bungalow’ has more than enough to keep you entertained.