'Baramulla' review: Manav Kaul's Netflix thriller is half-baked and flat
What's the story
Netflix's supernatural drama Baramulla, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale (Article 370), stars Manav Kaul and Bhasha Sumbli (The Kashmir Files) in the lead roles. Ambitious and creative, the film goes in some interesting directions, but ultimately ends up disjointed and flat. Even the convincing performances can't rescue this scattershot horror with zero scary moments.
Plot
Follows a case of kidnapped children in Kashmir
The film follows DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Kaul) as he investigates a series of child disappearances in Kashmir's Baramulla district. As the investigation proceeds, he realizes that there's a lot more to the case than what meets the eye. The film combines elements of drama and horror, as Ridwaan battles supernatural forces while trying to uncover the mystery.
#1
Too ambitious for its own good
Baramulla starts on a convincing note, drawing you into its eerie, mysterious world, with the war-torn, frayed Kashmir also acting as a character. However, it loses steam quickly because it wants to do so much at once, and Jambhale struggles to balance multiple themes. With undercooked characters (including the protagonists) and unpolished scenes, Baramulla fails to hold your attention.
#2
The film doesn't recognize its own potential
There's ample potential in the movie, especially when it focuses on Kashmiri Pandits, but Baramulla fails to recognize the possibilities. It wants to do everything in two hours: deliver socio-political commentary, explore supernatural elements, and develop Ridwaan's redemption arc. There's a constant sense of dread, yes, but all the buildup eventually amounts to nothing in this hodgepodge project.
#3
Atmospheric tension, but not much else
Jambhale uses all the locations and sets effectively; a feeling of foreboding never leaves the movie, and a twist in the climax is unpredictable. However, overall, the narrative fails to come together, robbing you of a satisfactory, enjoyable experience. Additionally, Ridwaan shares a fractured relationship with his daughter, Noorie (Arista Mehta), who's also central to the plot, but the movie underutilizes her.
Verdict
You can safely skip 'Baramulla'; 2/5 stars
It's interesting to see Kaul lead this film, considering he hails from Baramulla and has closely witnessed the political turmoil there. Alas, even he struggles to save the project, which is in a rush to prove its point. There's little to no emotional depth, the characters don't speak to us, and Baramulla ends up as another lifeless Netflix film. A missed opportunity. 2/5 stars.