August is the month of horror movies, and Prime Video has dropped a new contender for your weekend binge. Starring Prajakta Koli and Surveen Chawla, sci-fi horror Andhera is now streaming on the platform. The trailer promised us not just jump scares but an eerie atmosphere. But does all that come alive in this eight-episode-long series? Read our review of Andhera web series to know if you should devote your weekend to this latest horror series.

Andhera web series review: The plot

Andhera opens with the sudden and mysterious death of Bani Baruah (Jahnvi Rawat). Inspector Kalpana Kadam (Priya Bapat) is assigned the case as a formality as it is already declared an open and shut case. But Kalpana isn’t the type to close a file without digging deeper. She starts investigating and reaches Prithvi (Pranay Pachauri), once a doctor but now in coma, and his brother Jay (Karanvir Malhotra). Jay is a medical student troubled by nightmares. These visions reveal unsettling glimpses of Bani’s final moments and something far more sinister: a shadow, or andhera, that won’t stop chasing him. To unravel the mystery behind these paranormal events, he turns to Rumi (Prajakta Koli), a podcaster who specialises in supernatural phenomena.

What we didn’t love about Andhera

The problem isn’t ambition, Andhera has plenty of it. The issue is that it tries to explore too many threads at once. What begins as a tight, mysterious premise starts fraying in the middle, as the plot meanders into multiple subplots and a parade of characters, each with their own tragic backstory. They come and go so often and quickly that before you can even mentally pull out the tab of their life, they are gone.

With each episode running for over 40 minutes, the story takes a lot of time to unfold, often testing your patience.

What we loved about Andhera

The show does something rare for horror series — it blends genres beautifully. The series doesn’t solely rely on jump scares. It builds a world where an eerie presence is constantly looming over you. You just can’t escape it. The world-building is solid, the atmosphere thick with unease, and the use of dark, muted tones gives the series a distinctive visual personality. Each episode drops just enough information to make you hit “next episode”, even when the pacing falters.

The performances are another plus. Priya Bapat as Kalpana Kadam has done a commendable job in portraying a layered police officer with a traumatic past. Surveen Chawla brings an unsettling mix of innocence and mystery to her role. Prajakta Koli has almost played herself and has done a fair job. Vatsal Seth is also a part of the cast, but his character remains a mystery throughout the season.

If you’re after a horror series that goes beyond gore and cheap thrills, Andhera is worth a shot. It’s imperfect, yes, but the psychological tension and eerie world it builds make it binge-worthy enough for a weekend marathon.

Can you watch Andhera with your family? Yes, it can make for a good family watch.

Featured Image Source

Related: Saare Jahan Se Accha Review: This Espionage Thriller Makes For A Gripping Independence Day Watch