

Two women face extraordinary challenges as they navigate their lives. They find unlikely strength in each other. Together, they overcome their hardships with newfound courage and determination.
August 5
2022
Release Date
Hindi
Language
13 minutes
2 hours
Running Time
Available on
Netflix
Cast


Alia Bhatt


Shefali Shah


Vijay Varma


Vijay Maurya


Kiran Karmarkar










Roshan Mathew










Rajesh Sharma










Santosh Juvekar










Puja Sarup










Inayah Chowdhry










Vikram Pratap










Ajit Kelkar










Lovekkush Kundu










Mohammad Ebadullah
3.5
5/5
Average Rating
The above-mentioned average rating is based on the derived ratings of multiple review platforms
OH Review


5/5
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
The Great Reviews
India Today
Nirali Kanabar
Malaika Arora reviews Darlings, lauds Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma's 'brilliant performances'.Malaika Arora recently watched Alia Bhatt's Darlings. She shared her review for the film on social media.
Times of India
Hindustan Times
Monika Rawal Kukreja
Alia Bhatt brings out her quirky best in this dark comedy with questionable story. Alia Bhatt gives one of her best performances in Darlings, a story about a woman's revenge on her violent husband.
Rediff.com
SUKANYA VERMA
Darlings Review.Darlings is a well-rounded effort by Jasmeet K Reen, supported by bold ideas and clever imagery.
NDTV
Saibal Chatterjee
Watchable All The Way With Fine Performances From Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah. Vijay Varma fleshes out an extremely unlikeable man whose notions of love border on the sociopathic. Roshan Mathew, too, thrives on bringing a quiet efficiency to his performances.
DNA India
DNA Web Team
Alia Bhatt- Shefali Shah starrer receives mixed reactions from netizens