Aditya Shankar Narayanan

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"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned..." ... especially if the women involved are harmless, innocent, and maybe even a bit naïve. This movie is a spectacular tale, not of revenge, but of human nature. While there might be a lot of debate about the so-called "morality" behind the incidents shown in this film, one must keep in mind that this is a movie, a work of fiction. When people are pushed to the edge, even the most harmless ones will react, if not for any other reason but to save themselves. And even in the face of extreme adversity, when one sees no other way out but to exact revenge on the person who hurt them if one is able to retain their humanity, then and only then will divine intervention work. The performances given by all the actors in this film - Alia, Shefali, Vijay, and Roshan - are beyond superb. While the film may have a comedic undertone with many scenes where one may actually laugh out loud, the underlying message is a stark contrast. However, I do think it is worth mentioning that violence is not the answer and it seldom solves any problem. With that in mind, one should watch this movie as what it is - a movie, not a playbook to deal with domestic violence.

[Excellent plot, production value, and cinematography]: A must-watch for people who enjoy crime-thrillers. The story is very reminiscent of some other well-known English crime thriller shows on Netflix, adapted from Harlan Coben's books. However, this Netflix India original lends a brilliant authenticity to the show by deeply integrating original Indian settings and superstitions into the story. I came into this show with very low expectations, considering that the past few Indian crime-thriller productions from Netflix have been quite underwhelming. However, this show surpassed my expectations in every way. The plot of the show is gripping, the characters are quite well-written, and the entangled threads of lies and deception seem quite logically connected, without the explicit presence of any outright loopholes. Moreover, the cinematography and production value takes the cake; the show is shot in a very impressive manner. Finally, one other remarkable factor is the language of the show, which is quite tame but for the occasional f-bombs by some of the antagonists. All in all, it is an excellent attempt at a crime thriller and was successful in keeping me engaged and at the edge of my seat, waiting for the resolution of each twist in the plot.

[A review that isn't just praising the portrayal of realistic teenage skin with acne] A must watch: Having only 6 episodes, each of duration < 50 mins, this show makes for a quick binge-watch. I came into this show with very low expectations, expecting a Swedish version of a trashy teen drama, the kinds of which we have abundant examples of on Netflix itself. But I was met with an overwhelming surprise as I couldn't peel myself off the screen as the episodes progressed. What stayed with me the most in this show is the characters: there is no one protagonist or one antagonist. Every single character has their own merits and flaws and the show does not shy away from exploring both. You would expect August or Felice to be bullies, but you couldn't be more wrong. This can be said even about the main characters Wilhelm and Simon. Neither of them is perfect, and they are not intended to be. They behave as normal teenagers their age would behave. Another thing is that the show isn't overly sexualized. Sure, sex is in the heart of it, but most of it is implicit and it doesn't shove smut in your face as some other teen shows (e.g. Elite) do. Keep in mind that this is a show set in Sweden in 2021, where sex isn't considered a taboo topic as it is in other countries. This show doesn't seem to exaggerate teenagers hooking up with one another and the portrayal seems quite realistic overall. Finally, the tropes: most teenage shows with an LBTQ+ storyline give in to those tried tropes of public humiliation, leaked sex tapes, one or more people being closeted, and hence the drama that ensues when they're outed and so on. This show uses all of these tropes, but in a way that actually doesn't seem clichéd. Considering the setting of the show (Sweden, 2021) the reaction to the presented situations is just as one would expect in real life. This was truly refreshing, to see the use of tried tropes but in a way, that one doesn't feel like they're a different version of the same thing every time. This is a definite recommendation for anyone who enjoys LGBTQ+ themed shows as well as Teen drama.

A waste of potential: This documentary had all the ingredients of being a wonderfully insightful peek behind the curtains of ex-gay movements and conversion therapy. The execution of these powerful ideas and stories left a lot to be desired. It almost felt like the direction was all over the place; a lot of shots and scenes that have absolutely no relevance and were nothing more than annoyances that had to be skipped or sped over. Furthermore, the message seems lost especially considering that the opening and closing shots of the documentary are of a supporter of the new wave ex-gay movement (Freedom March) who still believes in the "process". The mention of psychologists and psychiatrists who propagated conversion therapy with no further elaboration on how they changed their course or continue on the same path seemed quite unnecessary and redundant. Overall, this documentary had all the right components but the important message of it gets lost in the disorganized manner of presentation. A huge letdown.

Add this to my favorite list! "Soul" is living proof of how Pixar can embody the spiritual journey of a middle-aged man in an animated feature. Accompanied by the soothing jazz-based soundtrack, this film accurately captures the process of finding one's "spark", which may seem like a theme that kids may not resonate with but it couldn't be farther from that. However, as someone in his 20s, I can particularly relate very well to Joe Gardner and 22. With moments of hilarity from Tina Fey's portrayal of 22 interspersed with soulful moments of spiritual epiphanies, this movie is definitely a masterpiece.

A Pixar Treasure: Pixar has gone and done it again! This vibrant, colorful delight might seem contrary to Pixar's usual style, but the story is a wonderfully delicious Italian delight. The animation style truly compliments the setting of an Italian fishing town in the summer. The movie also poses a good allegory of what's going on underneath this colorful narrative; just as the world of sea creatures seems to be nestled under this pasta and gelato filled town, so is an Achillean friendship with a subtle subtext that can be appreciated by anyone who resonates with the feeling of being an outcast or being excluded for being "different". This is the sort of movie I wish I had while I was growing up. A must-watch!