Mandala Murders

A gruesome cult thriller that starts strong with terrifying early episodes but quickly falls into a predictable, formulaic rhythm. Great visuals and setting carry it, though the story loses steam as it goes on.

Story Summary: The series follows a string of cult murders with religious undertones. The first episodes set a chilling tone, but as the narrative unfolds, the structure becomes repetitive, each new chapter focusing on one body part or ritual, making the plot feel increasingly stretched and predictable.

Analysis: While the premise and production are strong, the formulaic structure weakens the impact. If the creators had woven story-building with varied pacing, sometimes doubling down on horror and sometimes letting characters breathe, the show would have landed harder. The religious elements and cult setting are surprisingly well executed, and overall it remains watchable, but not a must.

Dialogue (8/10): Tense and well-paced, the dialogue supports the atmosphere effectively, though it does not always push characters deeper once the formula takes over.

Acting (7/10 overall): Performances are solid, with Vikram's actor standing out as especially convincing. The main female lead, while serviceable, feels a bit like a weaker imitation of a star actress and does not carry as much weight. Supporting roles vary but mostly deliver what the script requires.

Visuals (10/10): The strongest aspect. The dark tone, settings, and cult visuals are executed brilliantly, creating a haunting atmosphere that makes the series gripping even when the story lags.

Costume & Makeup (8/10): Authentic and immersive, enhancing the cult environment and giving the murders a gruesome but believable edge.

Special Effects (7.5/10): Effective but inconsistent. At times realistic and chilling, at other times unconvincing or unclear in execution.

Music (7.5/10): Ambient and supportive, complementing the tension well, but nothing that stands out as memorable.

Anything Else (Original Story, Liberties, etc.): The story concept is original and well produced, but the decision to lean on a strict formula, one ritual or body part per episode, hurts its long-term impact. A more varied narrative approach could have made the finale as gripping as the beginning.

Overall Assessment (7/10): Not a series I would strongly recommend, but if you stumble upon it, you might find it worth finishing. It starts with excellent promise but gradually loses its edge, saved mainly by its visuals and setting.

End Word: A chilling idea held back by repetition, gripping in the beginning but not a lasting standout.

All actors deliver commendable performances, making the characters feel real and engaging. The screenplay is smooth, backed by impressive cinematography and good direction. Although the plot feels somewhat predictable and similar to past thrillers, it still holds attention. A decent one-time watch.gr.

Mandala Murders is not just another crime thriller-it's an experience. From the opening sequence to the final frame, the show grips you with its layered narrative, stunning visuals, and haunting score. The gritty realism, clever screenplay, and psychological depth make it a standout in the Indian OTT landscape.

The performances are stellar. The lead actor brings a perfect blend of vulnerability and intensity, while the antagonist is chilling without resorting to clichés. Each episode peels back the layers of trauma, corruption, and human depravity without losing narrative momentum.

What sets Mandala Murders apart is its atmospheric storytelling-echoes of True Detective and Suzhal, but with a unique Indian ethos. The cultural symbolism and mythological undertones enrich the plot without being overbearing.

Minor flaws exist-pacing dips slightly in the middle episodes-but the payoff is worth it. If you're a fan of intelligent thrillers that make you think, this series deserves your time.

Highly recommended for viewers who appreciate smart, slow-burn mysteries with emotional weight.

I had high hopes because this was from YRF and on Netflix, but Mandala Murders just feels like a confused, overcooked mess. Every episode brings in a new character, more timelines, more flashbacks - and instead of building the story, it just gets more tangled. It feels like they wanted to copy a bit from Stranger Things, Suzhal, Sacred Games, and some international thrillers, but forgot to create their own unique voice.

The writing is weak. The character arcs are random - people act without any proper reason or build-up. Some scenes feel so forced that you can literally see the writer/director pushing it just to make it "cool." The sequences are badly edited, the emotional beats don't land, and the acting - although sincere - gets wasted in this chaos.

Too many inspirations + no clarity = perfect khichdi.

Also, Anurag Kashyap had once rightly said:

"What's not on screen can't be cinema to them. The biggest problem with YRF is the trial room effect." This series is a prime example of that. Feels like it was made more in a boardroom than in a writer's room.

Visually, yes, it looks good. Some locations and costumes work. But what's the point if the story doesn't engage?

I am giving this series a rating of 6 only because of the character selection. None of the actors show seriousness while investigating the crimes. The main characters, especially Vaani Kapoor, delivered very poor performances. The character responsible for decoding the codes also comes across as unintentionally funny. The only actor whose performance was up to the mark is Surveen Chawla.