'Sector 36' review: Vikrant Massey can't save this botched film
Aditya Nimbalkar's Sector 36, released on Netflix on Friday, is the quintessential case of an idea that sounds strong on paper but is brought down to its knees when it comes to execution. Blinded by the light of its own ambition, the movie seldom offers any thrills, and it's tough for the lead actors to salvage such a predictable project dipped in clichés.
The film is inspired by real crimes
Reportedly loosely based on the notorious, spine-chilling 2006 Nithari killings, the film traces the blood-curdling crimes of Prem (Vikrant Massey), who is a house help for Bassi (Akash Khurana). He abducts, rapes, dismembers kids and sells their organs, and when Inspector Ram Charan (Deepak Dobriyal) catches him, he confesses, but shows no remorse whatsoever for his heinous crimes, eventually ending in jail.
No thrills, the film is mostly flat
The story was already given away in the trailer, so the real challenge was to make the film a tightly-packed, no-holds-barred, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Unfortunately, that doesn't come to pass, and the film doesn't have enough twists up its sleeve for you to be absorbed. From the onset, it fails to invite you into its world and we can't care less about what's happening onscreen.
It's confused about its thematic concerns
Sector 36 seems to be struck between two ends of the spectrum—it wants to present itself as an exploration of the psyche of a serial killer, but, simultaneously, also aims to deliver social commentary. Eventually, it doesn't do justice to either; scenes flow from one to the other without any bite, and it's so lifeless that you struggle to keep watching.
Prem's confession comes out of nowhere
Logics also don't find much place here. Take, for instance, how easily Prem is nabbed, and how quickly he confesses in front of Ram Charan. It's quite unbelievable and ludicrous, almost as if he's more in a hurry than the officer himself. Over its two-hour-long runtime, the film, sadly mostly goes from bad to worse, completely squandering its potential.
It leaves everything to the actors alone
True-crime stories (even when they are not a direct adaptation) are pregnant with possibilities, and Netflix boasts a superlative track record in this genre. However, Sector 36 is one of its weakest Indian films; it's too pleased, too satisfied with Dobriyal and Massey's strengths to even think about polishing other aspects deftly. Good actors can sometimes, but not always, salvage sinking ships.
Has a needless urge to explain its ideas
Another aspect that pulls the film down is the usage of in-your-face metaphors. For instance, a child is nearly kidnapped around Dussehra, and Massey wears a Ravana mask before committing the crime, so the film can tell us how Massey is a modern-day demon. It's a needless exercise, and metaphors work best when they don't have to be spoken aloud.
Positives: Yet another movie that proves Massey's potential
Coming to the parts that work, Massey has graduated from being a conniving husband in the short film Copy to being a sarfira aashiq in the Hasseen Dillruba franchise to now being a serial killer! Like a chameleon, he slips under the character's skin excellently, and each time you look at him, you feel repulsed, that is the strength of his acting!
More on his characterization and performance
The film makes the most sense when it plays with darkness—both literal and metaphorical. Depravity, immorality, and internal corruption define Prem, and he looks extremely creepy while peeping from doors, luring kids with food, or sitting inches away from his victims, threatening them. Also noticeable is its commentary on the cycle of abuse and the chasm between the haves and the have-nots in India.
Doesn't pull any punches, goes all out with gore
Even in the OTT space, movies often choose to go with the subdued, muted version of violent events. However, Nimbalkar makes brave choices here, going full-tilt with the depiction of the murders, the blood being washed away in the washroom, and body parts being discovered in drains. It can feel unpalatable, but it's an accurate depiction of the horrors of the crime.
Can skip the mediocre affair; 2/5 stars
Massey and Dobriyal play their parts with equal earnestness and Massey embraces the challenges of this deeply disturbing character so well that it's tough to take eyes off him. However, nearly everything else on the writing level fails, and we don't feel any sense of urgency or tension at almost any point. Wish Netflix had made a documentary on this incident instead. 2/5 stars.
