Darlings: A Dark Comedy Review

Plot

Darlings revolves around Badrunissa Shaikh, a victim of domestic abuse and superstitions, played by Alia Bhatt. Director Jasmeet K Reen creates a well-rounded effort, with a story that takes its course without any judgement on a person or community. The film is set in a Byculla chawl occupied by lower middle-class Muslim folks, pinning their hopes on redevelopment schemes to shift their fortunes. Despite its crystal clear stand on toxic masculinity, the film lets the story take its own course, granting Badrunissa enough breathing space to realise the vicious cycle she is trapped in.

Acting

The beauty of Alia Bhatt's performance is on full display in the intense, dramatic scenes where she just devastates the screen with her anger and tears. She knows exactly when to play the star and when to become a character in a story. Darlings is her first as a producer, and she benefits hugely from her shape-shifting skills. Shefali Shah injects Shamshunissa's hardboiled disposition with deliciously wicked impulses. Vijay Varma's performance oscillates between demon and D'Mello. His depth of deception is frighteningly brilliant, especially when he almost convinces us to see in him what Badrunissa does too.

Cinematography

Shot in pink-tinged, pleasant hues and then darker tones for its nocturnal moments by the perceptive Anil Mehta, Darlings is a bitter pill in a sugar-coated body where Stephen King's brand of dreams and nightmares collide. The film resembles Misery's hostile tendencies within Badrunissa and The Shining reminiscent menace in Hamza.

Direction

Jasmeet K Reen creates a well-rounded effort, supported by bold ideas and clever imagery. The film never forgets that the beast is entirely of Hamza's own making and his workplace frustrations always lead to abusive behaviour. Despite the film's clear stand on toxic masculinity, it grants Badrunissa enough breathing space to realize the vicious cycle she's trapped in.

Overall Review

Darlings is a well-rounded effort that possesses bold ideas and clever imagery. It is invested in the story of the frog's emancipation, personified in Badrunissa aka Badru, as submissiveness makes way for sweet retaliation. The humour in the film is the other side of pain, and the transition surprises with a wild shift in tone. While it fumbles on a few occasions, Darlings never stops fascinating. It's a must-watch dark comedy that streams on Netflix.

Share this review