Sister Midnight

First of all, what compelled me to write my first-ever review is that a film so unique and whimsical isn't rated at least 9/10. It's surprising to see so few votes, especially when movies of this flavour and depth are seldom made in India.

The story follows a married couple returning home to begin their new life together. As the narrative unfolds, what starts as a simple tale of a struggling couple slowly transforms into chaotic energy, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Uma's whimsical behavior and her reluctant surrender to her natural desires are both unsettling and mesmerizing. The film's dark humor and distinctive tone infuse every moment with depth, delivering immersive thrills.

Radhika's commitment to the character and performance is top notch. She brings the story to life with a world-class portrayal that lingers long after the credits roll.

The director's vision is clear-every scene feels crafted, emotionally filled, revised, and perfected before execution.

This film is intended for mature audiences (18+) due to its mature narrative and a brief intimate scene. If the photography and technical aspects were up to today's advancements, I would not hesitate to give it a solid 10 as a devoted fan of this movie.

Enjoy the movie but skip the popcorn this time !

It's wonderful to see that, for a few years now, genre cinema that isn't made in the USA has managed to revitalize it, sometimes doing nothing more than reappropriating the codes to serve a bigger idea. It occurs to me to quote Antonio Gramsci when he said "The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born: Now is the time of monsters". Although in all eras there has been room for monstrosities that represented real problems in society, from the Cold War to McCarthyism, today seems to be the culmination of the age of the monster. An era in which metaphors have come full circle and begun to self-ironize. The best contemporary films about monsters are, in fact, about old monsters, those that have never gone away and that, by golly, are still here. Their cinematic existence is endowed with a meta contemplation that finally makes horror cinema a supreme species and language for those of us who perceive the world as it should never have been.

"Sister Midnight" is fundamentally a social satire that employs elements of dark comedy to critique the redundant rituals and traditions which are often masqueraded or rather endorsed as societal "norms", that everybody has to adhere to.

The messages are delivered with both ingenuity and wit, addressing a wide range of topics; from age old arranged marriages, lack of empathy among community members to pollution, and deeply rooted superstitions.

People who generally appreciate such writings are likely to find it pleasant.

However, it is important to note that some may still perceive the humor as unnecessarily crass, overly stoic, or simply unfunny.

Moreover, the pacing has its problems as it dips randomly, which could lead to growing frustration.

One this is certain, this would not be everyone's cup of tea!

Where to begin with this movie? Well first a heads up; the trailer gives away nothing about where this movie ends up going. I'm not going to spoil it here although in all honesty it's not particularly interesting.

The movie opens promisingly by introducing our main characters Uma and Gopal, an unhappily (recently) married couple living in Mumbai. Uma has been uprooted from her home and moved to a place she doesn't understand.

The first 45 minutes or so are her trying and failing to get to grips with her new life with her unsatisfactory husband. The first 15 minutes are fine with nice world building, artistic cinematography somewhat reminiscent of Wes Anderson. There are some comedic elements within quite a dialogue sparse set of scenes that are essentially a series of vignettes. But then this just goes on... and on... and on. By 45 minutes in this plodding plot becomes stale and boring.

Then there is the "twist". Uma comes down with an odd sickness. It's not really apparent that this is a plot point until it is repeated multiple times and the audience eventually get the idea of what is happening by brute force.

Then things just get bizarre. I won't say any more to avoid spoiling what little novelty the film has. But it's just all so weird... and this means it's a real struggle to figure out what the movie is supposed to be about.

Such slim pickings of themes and a barren plot will be fertile ground for some (i.e critics) to come up with a plethora of interpretations that somehow rescue the movie from the yawnfest I felt it was. There has to be some reason critical reception for this movie is good right?

Unless the movie is supposed to be a modern retelling of some Indian folklore story I am ignorant of, I am really struggling to understand what it is supposed to be about. This would be less of a problem if the rest of the film has good pacing, funny dialogue or some thrills but it has none of these. It would be a difficult watch even if it was a 20 minute short, let alone a 110 minute feature.

3/10.

Sister Midnight, directed by Karan Kandhari and starring Radhika Apte and Ashok Pathak, is a refreshing change from the usual formula of loud, larger-than-life action dramas. This film chooses realism over spectacle and manages to leave a lasting impact through its grounded storytelling.

What truly sets Sister Midnight apart is how it handles serious themes like gender roles, class struggles, and power dynamics. These are portrayed with subtlety and nuance, not with preachiness or melodrama. The film doesn't take sides, it simply reflects the world as it is, through sharp storytelling and strong characters.

While it may not appeal to audiences who prefer mainstream entertainment, Sister Midnight offers something rare: a well-crafted, thought-provoking film that respects its viewers' intelligence.