Darlings: A Desperate Attempt at Dark Comedy, Lost in a Whirlpool of Genre Confusion
"Darlings"— a new Alia Bhatt film released on Netflix, tries to be a black comedy revenge thriller where a young woman trapped in an abusive marriage plots revenge against her alcoholic husband. However, the film struggles to maintain its intended tone, oscillating between moments of dark humor and comedic mishaps, ultimately failing to deliver a satisfyingly dark or comedic experience. While the film spends an equal amount of time depicting the protagonist’s suffering and her subsequent revenge plans, it never truly finds its footing, leaving viewers unsure of what genre it ultimately aspires to be.
A Blurred Genre Identity:
The film’s biggest flaw lies in its inability to settle on a definitive genre. It attempts to walk a tightrope between dark comedy and a revenge thriller, but stumbles and falls into a comical mess. The film’s tonal shift, jarringly transitioning between dramatic moments and lighthearted humor, makes for an uneven viewing experience.
"Darlings" feels more like a Hrishikesh Mukherjee-esque comedy of errors, akin to "Gol Maal," rather than a gripping black comedy like "Promising Young Woman." The cast and crew went to great lengths to explain their understanding of dark comedy before the film’s release, but the film’s execution contradicts their explanations. This tonal disconnect undermines the overall impact of the film and leaves viewers confused about its intended message.
A Missed Opportunity for Depth and Nuance:
"Darlings" further falters by failing to fully explore the characters’ trauma and motivations. For example, a character hides their trauma behind humorous dialogue that only reveals the true depth of their pain towards the end of the film. By delaying this crucial revelation, the film robs the audience of a deeper understanding of the character’s experiences, leaving their words as empty comedy for both characters and viewers alike.
The film’s uneven approach to trauma creates a jarring inconsistency with its comedic elements. While the film employs comedic bits to lighten the mood, it fails to seamlessly integrate these elements with the underlying themes of abuse and trauma. This lack of cohesion diminishes the impact of the film’s message, leaving viewers with a sense of disconnect.
Character Inconsistencies and a Lack of Narrative Momentum:
The film suffers from character inconsistencies and a lack of narrative momentum. The protagonist, Badru, struggles to maintain a sense of consistency, switching back and forth between seeking vengeance and still caring for her abusive husband. This fluctuating behavior undermines her agency and makes it difficult to connect with her journey.
Furthermore, the film’s pacing feels uneven. While the first hour is dedicated to showcasing Badru’s suffering, the second hour seems to lack direction and purpose. Despite her supposed transformation into a powerful and motivated individual, Badru’s actions throughout this portion of the film feel aimless, contradicting the narrative’s intended arc.
The inclusion of Zulfi— a character who hovers around the edges of the narrative without contributing meaningfully to the plot— further detracts from the overall momentum of the film. His presence feels unnecessary, adding to the film’s already convoluted narrative.
A Missed Opportunity for a Moral Universe:
The film’s ending, while attempting to deliver an empowering message, feels muddled and ultimately undermines the narrative’s potential for a complex moral universe. By resorting to a full-screen PSA within the film, "Darlings" reduces Badru’s journey to a mere propaganda exercise, aligning her with a specific agenda rather than showcasing her agency and growth as an individual.
The film’s intended "interval" — the moment where Badru undergoes her transformation — feels awkwardly placed, further highlighting the film’s struggle to create a cohesive narrative. The fact that the film was initially intended for theatrical release, before being moved to streaming, speaks volumes about its incomplete nature.
Netflix and Red Chillies: A Partnership in Question:
The partnership between Netflix and Red Chillies, Shah Rukh Khan’s production house, may be facing a crossroads. While the initial hope was that this collaboration would lead to high-quality content that would attract a global audience, the results have been mixed.
"Darlings," a co-production with Alia Bhatt’s new banner Eternal Sunshine, represents a fresh start for Netflix and Red Chillies. However, the film’s underwhelming reception raises questions about the future of this partnership, with Netflix likely hoping that this collaboration proves more fruitful than the last one.
Overall: A Missed Opportunity, but With Potential For Future Growth:
"Darlings" is ultimately a missed opportunity. It fails to fully embrace its dark comedic potential and struggles to deliver a cohesive narrative and compelling characters. However, there are elements within this film, such as its strong performances, nuanced portrayal of domestic abuse, and attempts to tackle complex societal issues, that suggest potential for future growth.
However, until it finds its footing and learns to balance its comedic and dramatic elements, "Darlings" will remain a flawed film with an inconsistent message. This film may be a promising debut for Jasmeet K. Reen, but it also serves as a reminder that exploring challenging themes requires a more refined approach and a firmer grasp of genre identity.
