The upcoming live-action musical comedy movie ‘The Archies’ is all set to premiere on the Netflix OTT platform on 7th December 2023. The film has been in the news firstly because it’s the first on-screen Indian adaptation of the cult comics, secondly because it’s a Zoya Akhtar project and thirdly due to its interesting cast which features relatives of popular celebrities. Earlier today, the makers dropped the official trailer for ‘The Archies’ (attached below). Let’s see what it tells us about the film.
‘The Archies’ trailer takes the viewers back in time when Rock n Roll music was a rage – the 60s. It revolves around the relationship between a group of 17-year-old friends – an aspiring comedian, a budding musician, and others. The film’s emotional core ostensibly centres around the conflict which happens because of a beloved park which a builder plans to demolish. So, the young protagonists try to save the park. The movie’s period look, production design, costumes, and retro music are first-rate. The well-cut trailer has raised hopes for an ambitious Archie comics’ adaptation and is reminiscent of the cult comics in a good way.
Directed by Zoya Akhtar, ‘The Archies’ will be set during the 1960s period in the fictional hilly town of Riverdale. The film’s story will explore the themes of friendship, romantic relationships and their ups and downs which happen in the lives of the comic book characters we grew up with: Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Ethel and Dilton.
‘The Archies’ features Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan (as Veronica), Sridevi’s daughter Khushi Kapoor (as Betty), and Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda (as Archie). Besides, the film’s cast also includes Mihir Ahuja (as Jughead), Vedang Raina (as Reggie), Yuvraj Menda (as Dilton), and Dot as (Ethel), amongst others.
Before the release of Zoya Akhtar’s ‘The Archies’ on Netflix, there was a weird feeling of a mix of excitement and nervousness because it’s the first time the cult comic book is being adapted for the small screen in India. The Archies comic books have a rather niche reader base in India so many people particularly from semi-urban and rural areas might not be interested in watching the subject. But that’s the case with almost all Zoya Akhtar movies – they have their own target audience and they have been successful in the past. It would be interesting to see whether Zoya Akhtar’s film will impress OTT viewers in a big way or not.
‘The Archies’ Trailer –