CTRL Review: Ananya Panday Film is Entertaining and Thrilling

In Netflix’s thriller film CTRL, a traumatic breakup with her longtime boyfriend, Joe, popular video creator Nella decides to erase her ex from every part of her life with the help of AI software. Unfortunately, the AI decides to start taking control of every facet of her life.

The movie has a runtime of 98 minutes.

CTRL Review

Much like CAM, Unfriended: Dark Web, Unfriended, Searching or even M3GAN, Netflix’s newest AI horror/thriller film CTRL is a look at the dangers of overindulging online and accepting the Terms & Conditions without giving it a read-through. Add to that the heartbreak of a messy breakup and the need to make a comeback as a boss b*tch, you have a recipe for disaster waiting to ruin your life. Only this time, it’s a dangerous shadowy corporate organisation with sinister intentions that go beyond just stealing your personal information and selling it on the dark web.

Ananya Panday has been on a roll lately, especially online. With Call Me Bae stealing people’s hearts, Panday is back with another collaboration with Vihaan Samat, and I must say that the pairing has grown on me. In this Netflix movie, they share some fun chemistry as well, with the first few minutes of the film showcasing their budding romance and their journey from lovely-dovey partners to more mature adults handling a channel together and documenting their lives. However, obviously, things go wrong and suddenly Nella finds herself in a shocking conspiracy.

Vikramaditya Motwane, known for movies such as Lootera and Trapped and myriad others which he wrote, directs this thriller movie smartly. It feels modern and the editing is done quite well, making us flow from one sequence to another without hassle. One scene melts into another so well that you ride the wave without incident, leaving you thoroughly engrossed in the experience. The movie reminded me of 2020’s Host, a computer screen film that captured the essence of the pandemic while delivering a tight and worthwhile supernatural horror.

This Hindi film is a mix of computer screen film and standard thriller fare and the mix of the two is done quite well, so much so that you are left feeling tensed as Nella goes down a dark rabbit hole. The mystery is brought forth well and presented in a manner that is exciting and you are invested before you know it. The topics presented are relatable and although a little cliched, are presented well enough for you to not feel bored in any way.

As a modern human being in a tech-obsessed world, one can safely assume that Nella knows just how dangerous it is to give access to this corporation to go through your entire image folder without a second thought. And although breakups tend to make people a little insane, it’s not to the degree that people keep their laptops open all the time without putting tape on the camera. The film provides an apt look at how dangerous an influencer’s life can be if they don’t have their guard up in public and in private.

While the oversharing of every little thing results in Nella’s relationship liquidating, it’s her inability to take precautions in the online sphere and letting this random software take her computer over that makes for a thought-provoking watch. And sure, while not all of us are going to fall victim to some huge scam and be part of a huge coverup, the ever-evolving dangers of the internet, especially with the advent of AI and its unknown vastness will definitely give you chills as you watch Nella make one cardinal sin after another.

What works in favour of the movie is, as mentioned before, the chemistry between Panday and Samat. The two of them have an easy flow to them that is infectious and attractive. Panday is also surprisingly good in the film and has an innocence to her that makes her stand out in this murky world of corporate fraud. She feels like all of us are in a similar situation, confused & scared and giving permissions to unknown websites without thinking it through. Although some of her choices are a little frustrating and straight-up silly, it’s easy to follow Panday on this journey. Samat is, as usual, charming and likeable and leaves an impression regardless of his small time on-screen.

Final Thoughts

CTRL is a horrifying look at corporate greed and how the masses have let technology control their lives. The film has the necessary emotions and thrills to keep you hooked and is shot and edited well enough to immerse you in the experience, although, of course, the film isn’t particularly new or groundbreaking in any way. Panday does a great job at playing Nella, a confused and scared influencer who faces a truth that leaves her drowning, although granted, she plays herself for most of the runtime, which seems to be her go-to at the moment. The ending is bitter & relatable and leaves you with a pit in your stomach – all in all, a good enough time.

Also Read: House of Spoils Review: Mediocre, Meandering