Darlings Film Review By Manya Malhotra
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vijay Verma, Shefali Shah, Roshan Mathew, Rajesh Sharma, Vijay Maurya
Director: Jasmeet K. Reen
Review: Darlings is co-written by writer-director Jasmeet K Reen and Parveez Sheikh, who has films like Queen to his writing credits. It stars powerhouse performers like Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, and Vijay Verma — and is also Bhatt’s maiden film as a producer. Clearly, the expectations with this one are very high— and yet it still manages to make an impact.
Darlings tells the story of Badrunissa who suffers physical and psychological abuse at the hands of her husband before one day finally deciding to retaliate.
Make no mistake, Darlings is not an easy film to watch. It is infuriating but also determinedly terrifying. It lets you breathe but is also dangerously unsettling.
The first half of the film is the hardest to watch. It tested my patience to the point where I was almost ready to give up on watching it. Bhatt’s character Badrunissa’s unbelievable naivety does not take long to transcend into foolishness. Foolishness that as the film drives home, is much easier for us to identify than it is for the many women like Badru who go through these torturous circumstances on a daily basis.
The infuriation the film generates during the long first half that details Badru’s abuse is of course intentional, the fact that people like Badru and Hamza exist in real life is what makes the whole ordeal even more upsetting. However, the first half would perhaps have benefitted from a tighter execution given its OTT release, which requires films to be quicker in grabbing the audience’s attention compared to theatrical releases. One wishes that Badru’s realization would have come a lot earlier and not after conditions became so uncomfortably bleak.
Darlings packs many surprises into its narrative that reveal themselves in both delightful and poignant ways. While the second half of the film has a different tone to it, oscillating between the thriller and dark comedy genres, the feeling of being unsettled stays with you. It makes you squirm in your seat as you wait with bated breath for actions that are both predictable and unpredictable.
Make no mistake, Darlings is not an easy film to watch. It is infuriating but also determinedly terrifying. It lets you breathe but is also dangerously unsettling.
The first half of the film is the hardest to watch. It tested my patience to the point where I was almost ready to give up on watching it. Bhatt’s character Badrunissa’s unbelievable naivety does not take long to transcend into foolishness. Foolishness that as the film drives home, is much easier for us to identify than it is for the many women like Badru who go through these torturous circumstances on a daily basis.
The infuriation the film generates during the long first half that details Badru’s abuse is of course intentional, the fact that people like Badru and Hamza exist in real life is what makes the whole ordeal even more upsetting. However, the first half would perhaps have benefitted from a tighter execution given its OTT release, which requires films to be quicker in grabbing the audience’s attention compared to theatrical releases. One wishes that Badru’s realization would have come a lot earlier and not after conditions became so uncomfortably bleak.
Darlings packs many surprises into its narrative that reveal themselves in both delightful and poignant ways. While the second half of the film has a different tone to it, oscillating between the thriller and dark comedy genres, the feeling of being unsettled stays with you. It makes you squirm in your seat as you wait with bated breath for actions that are both predictable and unpredictable.
Though the film is classified as a dark comedy, it becomes increasingly hard to find the humour in the film, especially after having witnessed the upsetting first half.
The second half of the film is stronger, while for the most part still making you doubt the motivations of the characters involved.
Darlings is backed by a stellar cast. Vijay Verma is fantastic as the manipulative, evil Hamza. He doesn’t just play the character but skillfully embodies him in a powerful performance. Alia Bhatt and Shefali Shah work their magic as only they can and Roshan Mathew is lovely as the endearing Zulfi.
Darlings shines the brightest in the film’s last 15 minutes. Undoubtedly difficult to crack, the powerful climax is so effective that it allows the audience to look past the film’s other flaws. With mature writing, knockout performances, and a commendably executed ending, the twisted world of Darlings is not only digestible but leaves the audience with a bittersweet aftertaste.
Stick with this one Darlings— it is worth the watch.
Comments
I’m especially curious about Alia Bhatt’s performance. She’s such a versatile actress, and it seems like she’s delivered another standout role here. The chemistry between her and Shefali Shah must add so much depth to the story. Did you find the supporting characters equally engaging, or did the focus remain mostly on the mother-daughter duo?
Also, I love that the film doesn’t just highlight a problem but also seems to explore empowerment and resilience. It’s always inspiring to see cinema addressing difficult realities with nuance and heart. After reading your review, I’m adding Darlings to my watchlist!