Darlings movie review: Audaciously powerfull, dark & giggling

OTT movie Darlings review

I don,t know about the people who are shouting for a boycott of Darlings on social media, but I know people like Badru and Hamza in real. Domestic violence is a universal truth.

There are various reasons behind – dominance, machismo, ego, addictions like alcoholism, etc.

But Badru is someone different from the mohatarma’s I have come across suffering from the domestic violence pain.

Hamza may be the typical mard but he is not shown as the macho controlling type throughout. It’s only during night or some provocation the beast comes out.

Debutant director Jasmeet K. Reen on a screenplay by Parveez Sheikh gets the setting tone, atmosphere right and begins well as a smooth calm rom com and slowly the metamorphosis of the loving caring Badru who (the hilarious red dress scene) to a new strong woman who won,t tolerate insult and demands respect is the major highlight were Alia Bhatt is in top form.

However, more complexities in Hamza’s character and the reason behind Badru falling for this man would have made Darlings a great movie.

In the second half when the women in the film gain the upper hand, it’s the Ammi played by Shefali Shah who gets some unexpected layers that adds interest while Badru’s good natured, caring housewife sentiments is a bit cliche

Performance

As said earlier Alia Bhatt is in top form. She carries the whole movie on her own and gives a strikingly brilliant performance.

Vijay Varma is outstanding.

Shefali Shah is class apart.

Roshan Mathew is very good.

Vijay Maurya and Santosh Juvekar chip in with valuable support

Final words

Darlings may not be for everyone, it’s audaciously powerful, dark & giggling take on domestic violence powered by Alia Bhatt which is in top of her game.