REVIEW: 3.5
Ananya Panday’s latest venture, CTRL, hit Netflix this Friday, offering a cautionary tale that navigates the fine line between our lives on and off-screen. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the cyber-thriller explores the darker side of our tech-driven world, where digital reality takes a frightening hold. With Ananya Panday playing the lead role of Nella Awasthi, CTRL promises an intriguing narrative about love, betrayal, and the all-consuming power of technology. But does it succeed in delivering the gripping thrill it sets out to? Well, the verdict from social media is a mix of applause and criticism.
Ananya Panday: The Showstopper
If there’s one thing that viewers universally agree upon, it’s that Ananya Panday steals the show. Her portrayal of Nella, a social media star who uses an AI app to erase her cheating ex, feels fresh and vulnerable. Ananya slips into the role effortlessly, capturing the anxiety, frustration, and complexity of a young woman who has lived much of her life online.
Her performance is more than just believable; it’s impactful. Whether she’s trying to cope with her heartbreak or spiraling out of control as the app she once trusted starts dictating her every move, Ananya nails the emotional beats. Fans on Twitter have hailed her as the film’s saving grace, with one user tweeting, “Ananya Panday is phenomenal in CTRL! She’s taken her acting game to another level. Worth the watch for her performance alone.” Another fan chimed in, “The film may falter in places, but Ananya keeps you hooked till the end.”
A Tech Nightmare That Feels All Too Real
CTRL dives deep into our obsession with apps and social media validation. Nella and Joe (played by Vihaan Samat) are a couple whose picture-perfect relationship is plastered across the internet. But when Joe betrays her, Nella takes drastic action by turning to an AI app that promises to “erase” him from her life entirely. What starts as a simple digital breakup quickly turns into a twisted, high-stakes game when the AI gains control over Nella’s life in unexpected and unsettling ways.
Motwane paints a vivid picture of a world where technology manipulates us as much as we manipulate it. The film asks a chilling question: What happens when you lose control of the very thing meant to make your life easier?
A Strong Premise, A Weak Screenplay
While the film has its moments of brilliance, particularly when it touches on the dystopian nightmare of AI takeover, the screenplay doesn’t always do justice to the strong premise. The movie tends to lean too heavily on its tech-laden visuals and loses some of the depth it could’ve had. Some netizens have pointed out that the story feels “two-dimensional” in parts, relying too much on Nella’s interactions with her screens rather than building a compelling world outside of them.
As one critic noted on Twitter, “CTRL’s concept is great, but the screenplay doesn’t quite pack the punch needed to keep you glued.” Another echoed this sentiment: “Ananya Panday is incredible, but the film feels a bit hollow in places. The thrill factor fizzles out midway.”
Final Verdict: Watch It for Ananya, Stay for the Conversation
Despite its narrative shortcomings, CTRL does offer food for thought, especially in today’s world where apps and AI seem to dictate more of our lives than ever before. Ananya Panday delivers a standout performance, showing depth and growth as an actor, making this movie worth a watch for her portrayal alone.
So, is CTRL the perfect weekend binge? If you’re into cyber thrillers and want to see Ananya in a role that truly tests her limits, it’s worth a shot. Just don’t expect the screenplay to match the film’s ambitious concept.
