BOTTOM LINE
Supernatural Thriller Works in Parts
PLATFORM
Netflix
RUNTIME
307 Mins, 8 Episodes
What Is the Show About?
Officer Rea Thomas and a former cop, Vikram Singh, investigate gruesome ritualistic killings marked by mandala symbols. The narrative connects to the 1950s, where a widowed scientist, Nandini, creates a wish-granting device upon a sinister warning from Rukmini. Ultimately, Vikram’s kidnapping for a sacrifice to revive the deity Yast forces Rea to confront her grandmother’s history to stop the deadly ritual.
Performances
It feels like Vani Kapoor has built a wall around herself while playing Rea; the portrayal is too ordinary, and the character lacks a strong identity to make any impact. Gullak-fame Vaibhav Raj Gupta is decent as Vikram, but there’s nothing remarkable about the role. In an extended cameo, Shriya Pilgaonkar is the show’s most effective performer, who embraces her greys with immense conviction.
Analysis
Mandala Murders, an adaptation of Mahendra Jakhar’s book The Butcher of Benares, directed by Mardaani fame Gopi Puthran, is a supernatural saga that sticks to the thriller format to the T, rarely attempting to subvert norms. It unfolds with familiar beats: an introduction to the protagonists, a series of mysterious killings spanning years, the inevitable loss of loved ones, a deep dive into the past, a dark flashback, and finally, a resolution just before it’s too late.
All of this is liberally seasoned with a concoction of black magic, superstition, and a dash of scientific mumbo jumbo, with a female protagonist leading the fight. The battle, dating back to a cult in the 1950s, is between science and superstition, pragmatism and blind belief, stretching across generations. The many layers of the whodunit are uncovered across eight episodes.
While one may have outgrown the done-to-death template of such simplistic thrillers in recent years, Mandala Murders has a certain urgency that helps it work in parts. Though characters themselves lack sheen, the mystery clicks to an extent. Both the protagonists, Rea and Vikram, have lost something dear in life, mean well and are in the pursuit of finding the missing chunks in the puzzle.
An ex-cop Vikram returns to his hometown Charandaspur to trace his missing mother, while his lover Kavita has barely returned to normalcy after a close shave with death. Though efficient at work, a costly mistake during a shootout haunts officer Rea. Their lives are inevitably linked to a shrewd politician, Ananya Bharadwaj, and a high-profile investigation binds them together.
The storytelling style is obvious; the details around the mysteries are revealed selectively. There are frequent setbacks to Vikram and Rea’s pursuit of the truth. A pattern emerges among the deaths, and the modus operandi of the perpetrator is unearthed. In between, you get a sense of systemic issues working against their favour and the dynamics in various personal/professional relationships.
The show works better when it is in service of the characters (which aren’t established enough) — like the flashes of the colourful Jimmy Khan, Ananya’s ambitious husband, who can barely walk, the mischievous past of Vikram’s father — more than the mechanics of the plot (that are too obvious to be excited about). Otherwise, its world remains too vanilla, and the moments don’t quite come alive.
Mandala Murders generates intrigue and impact only occasionally and uses those moments to keep a viewer invested — say, how Rea meticulously rescues Ananya’s child or the solid flashback that captures the scientific enthusiasm of a newly independent India. The performances, otherwise, are strictly average, the storytelling superficial, and the complexity too shallow to care for.
If you have an appetite for formulaic supernatural thrillers and have a lot of time at hand, try Mandala Murders. The rest can go back to re-watching the much-better Asur.
Performances by Others Actors
Surveen Chawla gets a handful of moments to shine in a meaty part and continues to have a great year on OTT after Criminal Justice, Rana Naidu. Jameel Khan knows a trick or two to lend a distinct charm to his roles regardless of screentime. The generally reliable Raghubir Yadav and Manu Rishi Chadha are impressive, though in short-lived parts.
Music and Other Departments?
Composers Ankit Balhara and Sanchit Balhara stick to the basics of the thriller genre and, much like the show, don’t aim to rewrite the rule book. Cinematographer Shaz Mohammed opts for a muted colour palette and lends the necessary visual fillip to the proceedings, helped by the unique production design and costumes. The editing structure is conventional, safe at best and doesn’t make the effort to outsmart the viewer.
Highlights?
Engages in parts
Impressive flashback
Few good performances, technical appeal
Drawbacks?
Predictable storytelling
Characters lack depth
Roams around in circles after a point
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts
Will You Recommend It?
If you don’t mind a safe-playing supernatural thriller
Mandala Murders Series Review by M9
