(Rating: 1/5)
“Sector 36” is an example of a film that promises far more than it delivers, and unfortunately, it falls flat as a murder mystery thriller. Written by Bodhayan Roychaudhury, the film seems to lack every fundamental element that makes the genre successful—thrill, tension, suspense, and engaging twists. What could have been a dark, psychological exploration of a serial child killer turns into an unconvincing, underwhelming watch that leaves you questioning not just the plot but the execution of every narrative choice.
### A Flat and Underdeveloped StorylineThe core of the movie revolves around a psycho killer named Prem, played by Vikrant Massey, who kidnaps and kills children for reasons that border on absurdity. Prem’s motivations for his crimes feel forced, as if the writer included them for shock value rather than organic storytelling. Serial killers, especially in psychological thrillers, are usually complex characters whose mindsets create the tension that drives the story forward. Unfortunately, Prem is neither terrifying nor compelling; his character lacks depth and doesn’t invoke the kind of fear or intrigue a story like this demands.Inspector Pandey, portrayed by Deepak Dobriyal, solves the entire mystery with laughable ease. The film gives no room for the audience to participate in the investigation, leaving the story devoid of suspense. In a genre where the audience should feel on edge or be piecing together clues alongside the protagonist, we are instead handed the answers without any challenge or buildup. The absence of investigative effort and realistic police work cheapens the narrative, leaving us unsatisfied and uninterested.
### Clichéd Corruption AngleThe film also attempts to tackle police corruption, a trope we have seen countless times in Indian cinema. While corruption within the system is a critical issue, “Sector 36” fails to present it in any new or impactful way. It merely checks off a box on the long list of clichés we’ve already seen in the last 70 years of Indian cinema. The lack of nuance in how the film portrays corrupt officers makes it feel like a superficial attempt to add social commentary rather than an integral part of the story.
### Weak Direction and Lack of ThrillsDirector Aditya Nimbalkar is another disappointment. The thriller genre requires a tight grip on pacing, tension-building, and atmosphere—all of which are missing here. The film drags for most of its two-hour runtime, with very few moments that could be described as tense or exciting. The narrative feels disjointed, as if the director himself couldn’t decide whether he wanted to create a slow-burn psychological drama or a conventional thriller.For a genre built on thrills, “Sector 36” lacks any edge-of-your-seat moments. The audience is never given a reason to care about what happens next because the film’s few plot developments are either predictable or so poorly executed that they lose any potential impact.
### One Standout SceneThe only saving grace of the film is a 15-minute interrogation scene featuring Vikrant Massey. In this scene, Massey showcases why he is considered one of the finest actors of his generation. His performance is raw, intense, and completely immersive, offering a glimpse of what the film could have been if the rest of the script had matched this level of intensity. However, this brief moment of brilliance is not enough to save the movie from its otherwise lackluster writing and direction.
### Final Verdict”Sector 36″ is a forgettable, poorly executed attempt at a murder mystery thriller. Its lack of suspense, paper-thin characters, and clichéd commentary on police corruption make it a dull watch. The film fails to capture any sense of urgency or excitement, leaving the viewer disengaged from beginning to end. The only commendable aspect of this film is Vikrant Massey’s acting in a single scene, but even that is overshadowed by the overwhelmingly weak script and direction.
In an era where Indian audiences have come to expect high-quality thrillers like “Maharaja” and other gripping narratives, “Sector 36” is a disappointing reminder that Bollywood still has a long way to go in mastering this genre. It’s a thriller devoid of thrills and a mystery lacking any real sense of discovery.
Rating: 1 star.
