CTRL is a techno-thriller that attempts to navigate the murky waters of social media obsession, AI dependency, and digital footprints. Produced by Nikhil Dwivedi and Arya Menon, and directed by the ever-innovative Vikramaditya Motwane, the film hit Netflix in October 2024. On paper, it’s a gripping premise, but does it hit the mark? Let’s dive in.
Storyline
The story revolves around Joe and Nella, the ultimate influencer couple living their dream—until the dream shatters. When Joe is caught cheating, Nella goes full “digital revenge mode.” Enter Mantra’s AI assistant, an eerily cheerful avatar that helps her erase Joe from every corner of her life: photos, videos, memories—you name it. The AI even offers some oddly-timed advice and cringe-inducing jokes to help her “take control.” But just when Nella starts regaining her balance, Joe disappears. Not just from her world – but from this world.
As Nella tries to follow his digital footprints, she discovers that Joe was involved in a secret project to expose something big and the trail leads to some seriously dangerous individuals. The question looms: can she outsmart the system and find justice, or will she be the next victim?
Acting performances
Ananya owns the screen as Nella. She carries 90% of the film on her shoulders and delivers a nuanced performance that keeps you invested, even when the script falters. Vihaan also does a commendable job as Joe, making his limited screen time impactful.
Our critique
The film explores themes like social media addiction, online privacy, and AI’s growing influence on our lives. It raises important questions: Are we too dependent on technology? Have we handed over all of our intelligence to AI? The plot somewhat reminds of Her and Black Mirror but it is not quite in the same league.
While the first half is intriguing, the film loses steam as it progresses. The thrills are lukewarm, and the story lacks substance to keep you at the edge of your seat. The constant device interactions, meant to amplify the “techno” vibe, end up feeling repetitive and drag the narrative. And that AI assistant? Let’s just say its silly jokes and irritating expressions are enough to make you want to “Ctrl+Alt+Del” the screen.
Overall opinion
At 1 hour 39 minutes, CTRL is a decent watch that delivers occasional thrills but never quite reaches its potential. The concept is engaging, but tech enthusiasts might find it too simplistic. Still, Ananya’s stellar performance makes it worth a shot—just don’t expect a mind-blowing experience.
Our rating:
