Chronicles in film

In Flames was Pakistan’s official entry for the 2024 Oscars in the Best International Feature category, ultimately losing to Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Zarrar Kahn, who also wrote the screenplay. Prior to this, Kahn directed several short films and a television series. In Flames had its world premiere at the 2023 Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes.

This is a psychological thriller wrapped in supernatural tropes, exploring themes of female empowerment and the oppressive horrors faced by women in Pakistan’s patriarchal society.

In Flames stars Ramesha Nawal as Mariam, a young medical student who lives with her mother Fariha (Bakhtawar Mazhar) and younger brother Bilal (Jibran Khan) in a cramped flat in Karachi.

The family is mourning the unexpected death of Mariam’s grandfather, whose flat they now occupy. However, they are soon dealt a heavy blow when they discover he has left them saddled with debts they must now repay.

The pressure begins to take a toll on Mariam’s studies. A potential lifeline appears in the form of her uncle, but his true motives are murky—if anything, his presence leans toward the sinister.

Early on, we see Mariam regularly enduring harassment from local men—being called names, having her car window smashed, even witnessing a man masturbating while she looks out her window. It paints a grim picture of daily life, with little to no hope that anyone in authority will intervene.

A glimmer of hope arrives in the form of Asad (Omar Javaid), a fellow student recently returned from Canada. What begins as a simple friendship gradually blossoms into romance. But just as things start to improve, disaster strikes.

In Flames shouldn’t be approached solely as a horror film—if you do, you may come away disappointed. Its tone is oppressively bleak, even with the supernatural elements. The ghosts Mariam sees aren’t fleeting terrors; they linger, representations of deceased loved ones and past traumas. Like cuts and bruises that appear without warning, they don’t disappear—we simply learn to live with them. They hurt at first, but the pain dulls with time.

These ghosts of the past don’t always haunt from beyond the grave, but from the damage they’ve left in the world of the living. Her grandfather’s debts render the family penniless and nearly homeless. Her manipulative uncle may talk a good game, but his ulterior motives are clear, leaving Mariam distrustful.

In Flames is not a terrible film, but it sometimes struggles with identity—it’s not always sure what it wants to be. Still, there is confidence in Kahn’s storytelling. He doesn’t hesitate to show how many men in his homeland are immoral or even predatory. That said, the film can feel like it only scratches the surface of the societal issues it introduces. If those themes are central, digging deeper might have yielded more impact.

The acting is solid throughout, particularly from Ramesha Nawal as Mariam. She is engaging and portrays a smart, independent young woman determined to succeed on her own terms. As the story unfolds, we see her vulnerability rise, especially as trauma begins to erode her mental health.

Zarrar Kahn clearly has potential, and flashes of his talent are evident throughout. But In Flames ultimately feels disjointed and incohesive, never quite committing to a deeper exploration of Pakistan’s societal struggles.

★★ 1/2

Horror, Drama | Pakistan, 2023 | Blue Finch Film Releasing | Dir. Zarrar Khan | Ramesha Nawal, Bakhtawar Mazhar, Omar Javaid, Jibran Khan

This film was originally watched at 2024 Glasgow Film Festival.