HALF

Ivy and her twin brother are no ordinary siblings. Born half-human, half-vampire, they were raised by their mother to always look out for one another. Now adults, the twins set off on a road trip, only to be ambushed by a ruthless gang of scavengers who leave them for dead. As night falls, their bodies regenerate, revealing the full extent of their vampire heritage. With a newfound thirst for vengeance, the twins embark on a bloody mission to hunt down every last one of their attackers.

HALF is an exhilarating blend of action, thriller, and horror, packed with genuinely memorable set pieces. Give it a moment, and once it hits full throttle, it never lets up. Brutal, gory, and consistently funny, this Malayalam vampire film marks Samjad's second feature. The action sequences, choreographed by Very Tri Yulisman—best known for THE RAID 2 and THE NIGHT COMES FOR US—are a major highlight. Most importantly, HALF never takes itself too seriously, and that's exactly why it works. It's a film determined to entertain, and Samjad knows precisely how to deliver a wildly enjoyable ride. (ANNICK MAHNERT)