Baramulla Review: While investigating a series of child abductions in the sleepy town of Baramulla, DSP Ridwaan Sayyed comes across a terrifying secret that might be stemming from his own backyard.
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Baramulla Netflix Cast
Manav Kaul, Bhasha Sumbli, Arista Mehta, Rohaan Singh, Ashwini Koul, Mir Sarvar, Vikas Shukla
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Baramulla Movie Director
Aditya Suhas Jambhale
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Baramulla 2025 Writers
Aditya Dhar, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Monal Thaakar
The film has a runtime of around 112 minutes.
Baramulla Review
Curiosity killed the cat, as they say, and Baramulla‘s characters are a bit too curious for their own good. Following a string of child abductions in the beautiful Kashmir valley, DSP Ridwaan Sayyed is brought in to get to the bottom of the situation. However, in a terrifying twist, he starts to figure out that there are more factors here that are leaving everyone threatened.
The film is quite enjoyable for horror lovers as it mixes the thrill of a police investigation with that of supernatural folklore. While we tend to believe the former a bit more, the supernatural aspects somehow feel grounded and emotionally raw. The storyline, from the start, hints at supernatural aspects behind some of the disappearances, but the criminal background makes us wonder whether it’s all in our minds. Thus, when the truth finally comes out, it makes for a good twist.
The moody atmosphere and the dark setting make you look beyond the foreground to check whether someone, or something, is standing behind the characters. There are hardly any jump scares, which I am thankful for, and the film builds on the tension that it introduces well. I will say that this is one of the better releases this year and, although not perfect, makes for an entertaining watch for genre lovers. The storyline opens up with a slow-burning intensity that does make you question what’s next.
That being said, the film is quite predictable, right down to the characters’ reactions at times. Although I will mention that I didn’t see the last twist coming, before that, the film flows predictably. Presentation matters in these situations, and the film does a good job in that aspect and overshadows the story’s pitfalls. That being said, I do have to wonder whether that last twist feels like it’s taking advantage of a serious situation or simply trying to be respectful to it. I guess the answer lies in the eyes of the beholder, but the thought did nag me a bit.
Manav Kaul makes for a great protagonist in a film made to be enjoyed on OTT. The dark, dreary atmosphere, coupled with a haunted detective trying to balance his professional and personal lives, makes for a good protagonist to root for. I think Sayyed’s backstory makes for a compelling backdrop to the situation unfolding before us, as we are forced to question who is truly a betrayer and what that word means in today’s political landscape. Kaul has always been a solid performer, and he doesn’t disappoint here either.
Final Thoughts
Baramulla will be enjoyable for most viewers who like dark, uncomfortable films surrounding family strife and trauma. There are a lot of layered topics I won’t get into because they would spoil the film, but they make it relatable. Despite the predictability, I enjoyed it for what it was. Is this the best horror film this year? Not really, but it does entertain, and Kaul makes for a great protagonist.
What are your thoughts on Baramulla? Let us know in the comments below!
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