The Buckingham Murders recently premiered on Netflix, offering viewers a gritty, slow-burn murder mystery with a distressing emotional core. It is produced by Balaji Telefilms and Kareena Kapoor Khan, screenplay is by Aseem Arora and is directed by none other than Hansal Mehta.
Storyline
Jasmeet Bhamra, a detective in the British police force, is reeling from the recent loss of her young son in a tragic shooting incident. Hoping to escape her grief, she gets herself transferred to Buckinghamshire. But fate has other plans. Soon after her arrival, she is assigned to a case involving a missing boy, Ishpreet Kohli.
What begins as a search takes a dark turn when Ishpreet’s body is discovered, plunging Jasmeet into a web of suspicions, half-truths, and moral dilemma. As she navigates toxic workplace dynamics, battles her personal demons, and finds that the puzzle pieces do not fit together, the stakes get higher. Everyone around her radiates shades of gray, keeping her—and the audience—guessing.
The central question looms: Can Jasmeet push past her own situation and unravel the truth behind Ishpreet’s death?
Our critique
Hansal Mehta’s direction crams a lot into the film’s 1 hour and 40-minute runtime: immigration struggles, communal riots, drug abuse, domestic violence, and even a nuanced LGBTQ+ subplot. Yet, despite the plethora of themes, the storytelling maintains focus on the central murder mystery. What holds the film back, however, is its pace and it takes patience to watch some of the sequences. The narrative lacks the punch viewers expect from a Mehta masterpiece. The climax and the murder motive are a let-down.
Screen performances
Kareena Kapoor Khan manages to deliver a strong performance in a few scenes as Jasmeet, embodying the anguish and determination of a grieving mother and dedicated detective. But she leaves a lot to be desired. Besides, a touch of European noir-style swag—seen in similar genre films—might have elevated her portrayal.
Ranveer Brar, who makes his movie debut plays Ishpreet’s father, bringing intensity to his role, leaves an impression. Ash Tandon as Jasmeet’s difficult senior officer adds depth to the toxic workplace subplot, while Prabhleen Sandhu delivers a compelling performance as Ishpreet’s grief-stricken mother. Rest of the supporting cast is okay.
Overall opinion
The Buckingham Murders is a poignant exploration of grief wrapped in a murder mystery, enhanced by good performances and decent storytelling. If slow-burn mysteries with layered characters and emotional undertones are your thing, this film is right up your alley. While it doesn’t quite reach the cinematic heights we associate with Hansal Mehta, it’s still a pleasant watch. A good film, but one that leaves you wishing for a little more.
Our rating:
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