Darling

"Darling" attempts to wrestle with infidelity and supernatural retribution, themes that have been explored far more effectively in films like "Raees" or even the psychological depth of "Bhool Bhulaiyaa." Director's treatment here feels scattered—the film can't decide whether it wants to be a marital drama, a revenge thriller, or a possession horror, and in trying to be all three, it becomes none convincingly. Aditya's character arc from philandering husband to guilt-stricken protagonist should carry emotional weight, but the screenplay relies too heavily on jump scares and melodramatic confessions rather than genuine character introspection. The performances feel constrained by the uneven pacing; what should have been moments of raw vulnerability instead come across as overwrought.

The supernatural elements introduce interesting possibilities—Geeta's vengeful ghost returning to haunt Aditya could have deepened the moral commentary on betrayal and consequences—but the execution devolves into tired tropes. The possession twist in the final act, with Geeta's spirit inhabiting Ashwini's body, feels less like a logical narrative progression and more like a desperate attempt to extend the runtime. Cinematography and background score do little to elevate the material, and there's a distinct lack of the atmospheric tension that could have salvaged this premise. The film's financial underperformance isn't surprising; audiences seem to have rightfully sensed that beneath the sensation