The reaction cycle while watching most movies that tackle a genre that is somewhat rare in Tamil cinema is usually the same - initial elation at the different attempt; expectation that the film will turn out to be a strong entry and maybe even a trendsetter that will inspire more movies in the genre; and eventually, disappointment at how the movie turns out. Its the same cycle with Silandhi, a horror movie. The uneven pace makes us restless well before the climax, which completely cheats us.

Mahesh(Munna) and Monica(Monica) are a newly-married couple honeymooning in a friend's guesthouse on an isolated, remote island. But what should've been a dream start to their married life soon turns into a nightmare as Monica begins hearing strange noises and seeing startling visions. Her fears are jacked up when she hears that a couple of her friends have died mysteriously and she is convinced that whatever killed them is behind her too. Mahesh is initially skeptical but starts believing her soon enough.

Horror movies usually take a while to gather speed as they introduce the characters and set the pieces in place. So Silandhi's initial lack of pace can be forgiven since it is merely laying the foundation for a horror film. So we get an isolated house without easy access to help, seemingly off-kilter characters like the boatman and the watchman and a lead pair ready to be terrorized. The fact that Munna and Moinca are a new newly married couple allows the director to introduce some glamour as they cozy up and though its not done very tastefully, it doesn't feel too vulgar or exploitative either.

Unfortunately, the second act, which is when such movies have to ratchet up the pace and draw us in, doesn't do that. There is some tension as Monica hears noises or sees someone behind the door but it never transforms into genuine suspense since the tension is not sustained. The sequences either go on for too long or there is an ill-advised duet that dilutes the tension. It doesn't help that both Munna and Monica do some rather stupid things to lose the little sympathy that they have gained because of their predicament.

While Monica's flashback gives us an idea about why things are happening, it is nice that it still doesn't answer the key question of exactly what is happening. So the suspense is maintained until the climax. Unfortunately, the climax doesn't do justice and completely derails the movie. The director goes for the surprise element but its at the expense of logic as too many unanswered questions are raised by the final revelation. Some of the previous happenings, like Monica seeing a shirt in the garden, are rendered plain impossible and some of the plot elements, like the story about the cook who takes the couple on their first tour of the house, are not explained.

Monica, who we usually see in secondary roles, earns a promotion to heroine here. She is quite liberal in the glamorous scenes and looks sufficietly scared in the scenes where she is terrorized. So she fits the bill for the heroine in a horror film. Munna has little to do. The background score and cinematography succeed in creating the right atmosphere whenever the action is in the guesthouse.