The Buckingham Murders is the other new Netflix thriller where Kareena Kapoor Khan leaves off on her very first-ever detective role, with that comes a dark theme of mystery and grief unfolding, all set against unorthodox locations. Hansal Mehta-directed Buckinghamshire movie, shot in England, casts Kapoor as a detective as well as tackling the previous traumas which she goes ahead to solve the mystery of small kid. This English-dominated, rather sad picture has that appeal but not quite befitting for mainstream fans of Bollywood who are used to dashing action and drama.
The realist, socially conscious story-telling credit goes to the renowned filmmaker Hansal Mehta. He is known for his hard-hitting films, such as Shahid and Aligarh, and the critically acclaimed series Scam 1992. His writing approach lends more depth to The Buckingham Murders and heightens its somber, reflective tone.
Since it premiered at the 2023 BFI Film Festival, The Buckingham Murders has evoked all sorts of reactions. Reviews mostly note Kapoor’s quiet, yet powerful performance but point out the film’s slow pacing and dense thematic depth, and which may not be to various taste.
The movie won’t reach the mass audience easily, especially with the subtle marketing of Netflix. Buckingham Murders has been promoted very little, at least compared to what Netflix usually makes of internationally appealing projects. The movie might be missed by casual viewers who might need a little more persuasion to watch a slower, less mainstream thriller if it does not have the same marketing oomph as other Netflix thrillers, even regional language ones.
In addition, the film’s quiet and gloomy tone could not meet the expectations of a wider audience.The Buckingham Murders deviates from the rules of Bollywood by choosing a subtle storyline, which may be a welcome change for a few viewers but may turn off those wanting a more intense experience.
Conclusion While the fact that The Buckingham Murders brings out an interesting break from Bollywood’s regular fare and shows Kapoor’s great variety, its limited audience might be the result of covert marketing and unique appeal. Casual audiences might need a higher push to properly understand it, but for those open to a slow, English-heavy psycho thriller, this film offers a fun quiet viewing experience.