Beyond the performances, Darlings serves as a critique of societal complicity. The neighbors and the local police officer represent a society that hears the screams through thin walls but chooses to treat domestic battery as a "private matter." By using dark humor, the film forces the audience to laugh at the absurdity of these situations, only to leave them with the bitter aftertaste of the reality many women face.
Jasmeet K. Reen’s directorial debut, Darlings , is a bold entry into the genre of dark comedy, tackling the systemic and personal horrors of domestic violence with a sharp, satirical edge. Set in a cramped chawl in Mumbai, the film explores the volatile relationship between Badru (Alia Bhatt) and her husband Hamza (Vijay Varma), framed by the watchful and cynical eyes of Badru’s mother, Shamshu (Shefali Shah). Beyond the performances, Darlings serves as a critique
Alia Bhatt delivers a nuanced performance, transitioning from a submissive, hopeful wife to a woman fueled by a cold, calculated need for justice. Her chemistry with Shefali Shah provides the film’s emotional anchor. Shah’s character represents a generational shift in perspective—one that has moved past the "patience" expected of wives and toward a pragmatic, albeit dark, survivalism. Reen’s directorial debut, Darlings , is a bold
The film’s primary strength lies in its tonal tightrope walk. For the first act, it plays as a harrowing drama. We see the cycle of abuse: Hamza’s alcohol-fueled violence followed by morning-after apologies and "darling" endearments. Badru’s initial characterization is one of tragic optimism; she believes her love and a child can "fix" a broken man. However, a pivotal tragedy shifts the film into its second act—a revenge comedy where the hunter becomes the hunted. Her chemistry with Shefali Shah provides the film’s
Vijay Varma’s portrayal of Hamza is equally vital. He avoids making the character a caricature of a villain, instead playing him with a terrifyingly realistic blend of insecurity and entitlement. This realism makes the comedic "torture" scenes in the latter half of the film feel like a cathartic, though morally complex, response to his earlier actions.