"The Buckingham Murders" (2024), directed by Hansal Mehta and produced by Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shobha Kapoor, and Ekta Kapoor, is an Indian crime thriller that explores the complexities of grief, trauma, and the immigrant experience. Set in Buckinghamshire, the film follows Kareena Kapoor Khan as a British-Indian detective, who, after losing her own child to murder, relocates to a new town to investigate the murder of another child. This emotional journey delves into her unresolved past while tackling a new and disturbing mystery.
The film starts off slow, taking its time to build the emotional and psychological layers of the lead character. For those looking for a fast-paced thriller, this might come off as a little underwhelming at first, but the plot does pick up, especially as it moves towards the twisted and surprising climax.
Kareena Kapoor Khan, alongside Ranveer Brar and the supporting cast, delivers strong performances. Both actors were key reasons for watching the film, and they did not disappoint. However, Hansal Mehta's direction, while solid, slightly fell short of the high expectations I had, leaving room for a bit more impact in certain key scenes.
Cinematography is good, and the screenplay, written by Aseem Arrora, handles the story well, maintaining an engaging balance between the emotional undercurrents and the unfolding mystery. The film's themes are profound and relatable, with the immigrant experience and the need for closure playing pivotal roles.
While "The Buckingham Murders" doesn't fully achieve the impact it could have, it is still an intriguing film with a well-crafted plot and compelling performances. If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with emotional depth and a twist at the end, this one is worth watching.
My Rating: 8 out of 10 stars - Despite some pacing issues and a bit of a lag in direction, "The Buckingham Murders" is a solid crime thriller with a surprising finish and stellar performances from the lead cast.