5 reasons why 'Ghoul' should be on your Netflix playlist

Netflix will start streaming its first Indian original horror series “Ghoul” on Friday, August 24, which also happens to be the eve of a long weekend.

Simran Sethi, Netflix Director of International Originals said, the three-part series is both "frightening and insightful. Its high production value, a chilling performance from Radhika Apte, and quality writing are sure to scare Indian and global audiences alike."

Many might shy away from it, given our unfamiliarity with Indian mythology, but that will prove a mistake. "Ghoul" manages to insert important and relevant matters that are presently going on in the world. As in: terrorism, family, and blind obedience.

1. Ah, the thrilling excitement! Remember "24" and Jack Bauer? "Ghoul" also has the familiar 24-hour framework and takes it up a notch with its premise of...extracting a confession from a terrorist.

The three-part series follows Nida Rahim, a newly-minted advanced interrogation expert from an elite squad handled by the government. She’s tasked to extract information from a dangerous terrorist in a covert detention facility, one that the government has long been after due to multiple horrific attacks. And she has 24 hours to do so. 

2. What if that terrorist was a demon? The series plays on ancient Arabic folklore about ghouls — demonic beings that lure and kill travelers in the desert.

In the series, Nida finds that the terrorist, Ali Saeed Al Yacoub, is a ghoul with powers to find out one’s darkest secrets. Her fellow agents aren’t so clean either and soon the ghoul begins exposing their most shameful secrets. You can fight the demons of this world but what about the ones that aren't from here?

3. The ghoul is intent on eating the flesh of the guilty, and Nida’s guilt is all over her. Before being assigned to the covert detention facility, Nida Rahim turned over her own father to the government after suspecting him of being an anti-government terrorist. With the weight of her supposed betrayal, and a demon that feeds on guilt, Nida is put on a bind. 

4. Netflix partnered up with producers of "Insidious", "Get Out", and "Paranormal Activity." Jason Blum says “It has been a great experience working closely with Netflix and our partners at Phantom and Ivanhoe to produce GHOUL. This is Blumhouse’s first foray into the horror genre in India and we’re excited to share this project with horror enthusiasts around the world.”

Fans of the popular horror movies by Blumhouse are sure to get a scare from Ghoul’s treatment. If you love horror, this one will leave you at the edge of your seat.

5. It hits a little close to home. The whole series sends a message about blind patriotism. Nida turns over her own father to the government, out of a sense of duty to her country. She signs up to the elite squad to serve her country.

But her mission takes a darker turn, leading her to she question if there’s anything true to what she’s led to believe. Is doing everything and sacrificing anything for your country all worth it, if you find out some of your reasons were lies? — LA, GMA News