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418

418, presented by Prashanth Neel and directed by debutant Kirtan Nadagouda, is an atmospheric horror thriller set in a haunted hostel. Strong performances, eerie visuals and effective sound design drive the scares, with a mental health message at its core. Verdict: 4/5.

• Released: 23 October 2026
• Runtime: 2h 28m
• Language: Telugu, hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam
• Genre: Horror, Thriller, Psychological Horror
• Director: Kirtan Nadagouda
• Cast: Ramesh Indira, Chaithra J. Achar, Preethi Pagadala
• Where to watch: In Cinema
• Our rating: 8/10

Our review

Indian cinema has a long habit of mixing horror with comedy, which makes a film that simply wants to scare you a rare find. 418, presented by KGF and Salaar director Prashanth Neel, takes the opposite route. Directed by debutant Kirtan Nadagouda, it sends a medical student into a hostel that was once a mental asylum, where Room No. 418 stays locked for a reason. It arrives in theatres on October 23, 2026, in Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil. Here is our full 418 movie review.

418 is a atmospheric horror thriller that opens with a shocking, graphic sequence and keeps its eerie mood going through a haunted-hostel mystery. Surya Raj Veerabathini leads a committed cast, and Chaithra J Achar is a standout as the wronged woman at the centre of the legend. The film uses sound design and jump scares to unsettle you, and it pairs its supernatural story with a thoughtful message about mental health and women victimised by society. Cinematography and music add real polish. Debutant Kirtan Nadagouda shows confidence behind the camera, and 418 is a solid watch for horror fans.

Cast and Crew

Plot Summary

Vivek Shankar, from a middle-class family that mortgaged their home to pay for his education, joins VIMS, a medical college in coastal Karnataka. He moves into the newly renovated boys’ hostel, a building locked for 15 years because it was once a mental asylum where gruesome murders took place. Women are not allowed inside, and Room No. 418 is strictly off-limits.

Soon Vivek begins experiencing paranormal episodes that bring on anxiety and paranoia. A session with the college counsellor offers little clarity, so Vivek and his roommate Rohith start investigating the hostel’s dark past. The story then reveals why Room 418 was sealed and who is behind its disturbing legend.

Performances

Surya Raj Veerabathini (Vivek Shankar): Surya Raj carries the film with a sincere, relatable performance. He makes Vivek’s journey from hopeful student to terrified investigator believable, and his fear and paranoia feel genuine. This is a confident lead turn.

Chaithra J Achar (Devika): Chaithra J Achar is the emotional and horrific heart of 418. She balances menace and tragedy as Devika, and her scenes linger long after the film ends. It is a powerful, memorable performance.

Preethi Pagadala (Saisha): Preethi Pagadala brings warmth and charm to Saisha, the patient-turned-friend. She adds heart to the college portions and plays her part in the climax with conviction.

Charan Lakkaraju: Charan Lakkaraju adds energy and natural camaraderie to the friendship scenes and gives Vivek a credible support system. His screen presence helps the story feel grounded.

Ramesh Indira (Senior Counsellor): Ramesh Indira brings calm authority to the counsellor’s scenes. His conversation with the students is one of the film’s stronger moments, and he delivers it with poise.

Technical Analysis

Direction

Kirtan Nadagouda announces his arrival with a bold, graphic opening and sustains the horror mood well for a debutant. He blends horror, local superstition and science, which gives the story more to explore than supernatural scares alone. The message about mental health and women wronged by society gives the film real heart.

Cinematography

Dinesh Divakaran’s camerawork keeps the eerie atmosphere alive. Dark corridors, the old hostel and the haunting lullaby scene are shot with care and give the horror its visual identity.

Music and Sound

Venky GG’s score supports the horror beats effectively. Combined with sharp sound design, it keeps the audience on edge and drives many of the film’s scares.

Editing

Akul Avinash’s editing has a stylised, high-impact rhythm reminiscent of the KGF and Salaar films. It gives the scare sequences punch and a distinctive feel.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

• A gripping, graphic opening that sets the tone
• Strong performances from the entire cast, especially Chaithra J Achar and Surya Raj
• Atmospheric cinematography and an effective background score
• Effective sound design and a well-judged penultimate twist around Room 418
• A meaningful message about mental health and women victimised by society
• A confident directorial debut from Kirtan Nadagouda

Weaknesses

• The college portions move at a slower pace
• The scares lean on jump scares and become repetitive after the interval
• The story follows a fairly predictable path
• The final reveal involving Devika and Saisha could have had more impact
• The runtime could have been tighter

Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐4/5

418 is a committed, atmospheric horror thriller that delivers on its promise to scare rather than laugh. Powered by strong performances, polished technical work and a story with something to say, it is a worthwhile theatrical experience for horror lovers. If you enjoy serious horror with a message, 418 is worth watching on the big screen.

FAQs

What is the certification of 418?
418 has been certified A by the CBFC, so it is for adult audiences only.

Is 418 suitable for children or family viewing?
No. The film has graphic horror and disturbing scenes and is not recommended for children.

Is 418 based on a true story?
No. It is a fictional horror thriller built around a haunted hostel legend.