Enough of vampires and zombies: Netflix puts spotlight on ghouls

Netflix’s first original Indian supernatural-horror is bringing the ancient Arabic myth Ghoul to our own screens.

The story revolves around Nida Rahim (Radhika Apte), an interrogation officer sent to a military detention facility only to find that one prisoner is... not of this Earth.

READ: 5 reasons why 'Ghoul' should be in your Netflix playlist

The terrorist, Ali Saeed Al Yacoub (Mahesh Balraj), soon turns the tables on his interrogators by revealing their most shameful secrets.

In Mumbai, India, GMA News Online met with the show’s director, Patrick Graham and producer Vikramaditya to talk more about Ghoul.

Graham explains that the three-part series brings something new to the table. "I think we are exploring a mythological creature which hasn’t really been explored to that great an extent so I think we are kind of introducing a new monster. We’ve had enough of zombies now and vampires, they can give it a rest and the Ghoul can come,” he said.

Ghoul’s producer, Vikramaditya Motwane thinks there’s something for everyone when watching Ghoul.

“They can see it as a parable for our times, they can see it as a classic straight-up horror story, they can see it as a family story, as a story of redemption, there’s so many things you can take home from Ghoul. What Patrick says is correct, the audience should decide for themselves what they want to take home from it.,” Motwane explains.

READ: 'Ghoul' stars get introduced to Philippine mythological creatures

More than its supernatural horror genre, Ghoul reveals an insidious theme that seems a little too relevant these days. Graham shares, “There’s certain things I don’t like and one of those things is indoctrination, people being brainwashed into certain ideology so for sure, that was an element of the story.”

The three-part series is set in a dystopian future where sectarian violence is rampant and the covert military detention facility is key to finding out what terrorists are planning. 

While it's a far cry from what we know of Bollywood productions — there is none of those singing and dancing and fancy choreography — Graham and Motwane believe it's just as thrilling.

How best to enjoy it then? “In a dark room, hopefully with a large screen or whatever they can get their hands on and good sound device, in a kind of small, intimate environment, perhaps with some friends. It has to be dark or kind of on their own, terrify themselves in a spooky location is good too,” director Patrick Graham recommends.

— LA, GMA News