The Buckingham Murders reviews
The Buckingham Murders is a thriller that expertly mixes crime, mystery and emotional struggle. Directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, the film is the journey of a detective dealing with personal trauma while solving a murder case. With its intense story, atmospheric storytelling and strong performances the film has generated a lot of buzz among critics and audience. In this review we break down the plot, direction, performance and impact.
Storyline & Plot Overview – Buckingham Murders Reviews
Plot
The Buckingham Murders is the story of Jasmeet Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan) a detective who has lost her child. She moves to the quiet town of Buckingham, England to get away from her painful past. But she is soon drawn into a murder case of a missing child and forced to confront her own grief while unraveling a complex web of secrets.
As Jasmeet investigates she finds herself emotionally invested in the case, seeing reflections of her own tragedy in the victim’s family. The film is a psychological drama with crime thriller elements, it’s not just about solving a murder, it’s about loss, justice and personal redemption.
Thematic Depth and Psychological Nuance
Unlike regular crime thrillers The Buckingham Murders Reviews is very introspective. It explores themes of grief, trauma and emotional resilience, so it’s as much about the protagonist’s inner journey as it is about the mystery. The slow burn narrative builds tension not through action but through storytelling and psychological depth.
But the film’s emotions and cinematography have been widely praised.
Genre & Tone
Categorized under psychological thriller and investigative drama, “The Buckingham Murders” breaks away from Bollywood’s conventional norms. Instead it’s subtle storytelling with huge tension. The grayish tone of the cinematography gives the film a haunting feel that matches the slow burn narrative.
It will appeal to fans of dark dramas like “Mare of Easttown” or “True Detective” while being unique to the culture.
Cast Performance in The Buckingham Murders
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Amazing Performance
Kareena Kapoor Khan gives one of her most restrained performances as a grieving detective navigating her personal loss while solving a complex case. Her performance is soft yet emotional and critics and the audience have praised her for conveying depth through underplayed expressions rather than dramatic outbursts. This is a departure from her commercial roles and shows her range as an actor.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast adds to the film:
- Ash Tandon: As a fellow investigator he brings authenticity to the crime procedural part of the story.
- Keith Allen: He brings gravity to the narrative and ups the mystery and tension.
- Other Notable Performances: The entire cast is realistic and grounds the film in a world that’s emotionally charged.
Language and Presentation in The Buckingham Murders
Bilingual Storytelling: English and Hindi
The Buckingham Murders is primarily in English since it’s a British set film and investigative thriller. But it also has Hindi dialogues that adds a personal touch to the protagonist’s journey. The bilingual approach makes the film more relatable to both Indian and international audience.
Tone and Narrative Style
The film is somber and introspective in tone matching its psychological depth. The dialogues are subtle and impactful and not excessive. Hansal Mehta’s storytelling is about quiet moments, pauses and visual cues rather than heavy dialogue. It’s understated yet gripping.
How Presentation Enhances the Story
- Minimalistic Dialogue: Instead of heavy conversations the film conveys emotions through silences, facial expressions and cinematography.* Monochromatic: The visual tone matches the film’s somber and grayish tone and the emotional weight of the story.
- Slow Burn: Unlike fast paced crime thrillers the film takes its time to build the tension and gets the audience into the protagonist’s head.
In all “The Buckingham Murders Reviews” language and presentation is adding to the storytelling and it’s a crime, psychology and human drama hybrid.
Release Information for The Buckingham Murders Reviews
The Buckingham Murders Reviews, directed by Hansal Mehta and starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, has had a journey:
- World Premiere: The film premiered at the 67th BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2023.
- Theatrical Release: It released in Indian cinemas on September 13, 2024.
- OTT Release: After the theatrical run, the movie was streaming on Netflix from November 8, 2024.
The film is 107 minutes long and in English and Hindi.
For India and other Countries, The Buckingham Murders is on Netflix so you can watch it whenever you want.
Critics And Audience Reviews
The early The Buckingham Murders Reviews are impressive, especially for the screenplay and lead performance. Here are the ratings (as of initial release):
- IMDb: 5.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: Critics’ score – 87%, Audience score – 90%
- Google Users: 94% liked this movie
What Critics Are Saying
- “Hansal Mehta weaves a tale that’s as much about the human mind as the crime.” — The Indian Express
- “A thriller that’s elevated by Kareena Kapoor’s performance.” — Hindustan Times
- “Dark, gritty and unflinching, this film keeps you on the edge.” — Variety
Despite some issues with the pacing, the film has worked for its thought-provoking take on grief and trauma in a murder-mystery.
Direction and Cinematography in The Buckingham Murders
Hansal Mehta’s Direction
Hansal Mehta is known for his realistic storytelling and he brings that to The Buckingham Murders. His direction is understated yet effective. He focusses on character driven narratives rather than thriller tropes. By blending psychological depth with a slow burn mystery he creates an engrossing experience.
What Critics Have to Say About His Approach
Critics have praised Mehta’s emotional thriller. His focus on grief, trauma and identity sets the film apart from other murder mysteries. Some have appreciated the meditative pace while others feel it slows down the story and makes it feel stretched at times.
Audience Reaction or Critique
Audience has liked Mehta’s direction, appreciated the atmospheric depth and layered storytelling. Many have liked the way he builds tension without being over the top. Some felt the pace was slower than expected and it’s more of a psychological exploration than a crime thriller.
Visual and Cinematography
Analysis of the Film’s Visuals
The cinematography in The Buckingham Murders is key to setting the dark and introspective tone of the film. Muted colour palette, heavy shadows and tight framing creates unease and mirrors the protagonist’s emotional state. The visuals convey isolation by using cold and desaturated tones to reflect the bleakness of the story.
How Cinematography contributed to the Story
Every frame in the film tells a story. The cinematographer uses long takes to capture emotional depth and dim lighting to add to the mystery and tension. Handheld shots in key moments amplify the protagonist’s mental disintegration and the audience feels her anxiety and confusion. This visual language strengthens the themes of loss, identity and justice and makes the film an immersive experience.
Comparison to Genre norms in The Buckingham Murders
How The Buckingham Murders is different from typical Crime Thrillers
Unlike other crime thrillers that rely heavily on action, fast paced twists and forensic investigations The Buckingham Murders Reviews takes a more introspective approach. It has the core elements of mystery, suspense and investigative tension but diverges by focusing more on the protagonist’s emotional journey rather than just solving a crime.
Many crime thrillers focus on external conflicts – chases, confrontations and shocking revelations. The Buckingham Murders Reviews internal struggles, grief and trauma making it more of a psychological drama interwoven with crime. This nuanced storytelling sets it apart from mainstream thrillers like Gone Girl or Prisoners where the plot moves aggressively through twists and revelations.
Unique Selling Points of the Film
- Psychological Depth: The film delves into the emotional and psychological impact of crime on the investigator adding layers of realism and human vulnerability.
- Hansal Mehta’s Direction: His slow burn storytelling style prioritizes depth over spectacle making the film more immersive.
- Cinematic Realism: The cinematography and visual storytelling creates an atmospheric experience that feels grounded and haunting.
- Grief and Identity Themes: Unlike many thrillers that focus solely on crime solving this film weaves the investigation with the protagonist’s personal journey adding emotional weight.
- Subtle yet Engaging Narrative: Instead of relying on big twists the film builds suspense through character interactions, psychological tension and a moody setting.
Overall The Buckingham Murders Reviews is a crime thriller that prioritizes emotional depth over action packed storytelling and gives you a fresh take on the genre.
Why you should watch “The Buckingham Murders”
If you like stories that have edge of the seat suspense and emotional depth this is a must watch. Beyond the whodunnit element it challenges societal norms and human emotions making it more than just another thriller.
Also Kareena Kapoor Khan will make you feel deeply connected to Jass’s struggles and Hansal Mehta will keep you invested from start to finish.
The Verdict on The Buckingham Murders
The Buckingham Murders is a killer thriller that balances mystery with psychological depth. Hansal Mehta’s direction and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance takes it beyond a run of the mill crime drama. The dark and intense storytelling and character driven narrative keeps you hooked till the very end.
Not for those looking for a fast paced action thriller but its depth and weight makes it a must watch in the genre. Overall The Buckingham Murders is a must watch for psychological thriller and crime drama fans.
FAQs about “The Buckingham Murders Reviews”
Q1. What is “The Buckingham Murders”?
A. It’s a psychological thriller with investigative drama.
Q2. Where can I watch the movie?
A. It premiered at BFI London Film Festival 2023 and will release on major streaming platforms and select theaters worldwide.
Q3. What makes this film different?
A. The portrayal of a grieving investigator and detailed direction and cinematography sets it apart from the usual murder mysteries.
Q4. Is it suitable for all ages?
A. No. It’s 16+.
Q5. Does it follow the genre?
A. Yes. It’s a tense psychological thriller that explores deeper emotional themes.
