Gaslight

Deepti Naval's "Gaslight" attempts to construct a psychological thriller around familial estrangement and domestic secrets, anchored by a compelling premise—a daughter's return to a palatial home that transforms from sanctuary into labyrinth. The film's strongest asset is its production design; the sprawling estate becomes a character unto itself, with its marble corridors and ornate rooms effectively conveying both grandeur and unease. However, the narrative execution falters significantly. The pacing meanders through the middle sections, diluting the psychological tension that should accumulate as Meesha discovers inconsistencies in her family's narrative. The performances, particularly from the lead, feel restrained to the point of passivity—what reads as introspective vulnerability in the synopsis translates on screen as a passive protagonist observing rather than investigating the mystery around her.

Where "Gaslight" genuinely disappoints is in its unwillingness to commit to genre conventions. It teases gaslighting dynamics without fully exploring the psychological warfare that should define the narrative, instead opting for melodramatic reveals that lack the careful construction necessary for impact. The revelation of Rukmani's role and the father's absence could have anchored a taut thriller, but instead they arrive with the subtlety of a hammer, undermining any accumulated dread. Naval's directorial sensibility leans toward atmospheric languor, which works against a