Kareena Kapoor Khan shines in her portrayal of a conflicted and vulnerable character in The Buckingham Murders. This compelling murder mystery keeps viewers on edge, blending suspense with emotional depth. Kapoor’s powerful performance elevates the film, making it a standout in the genre.
Star Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Brar, Ash Tandon, Kapil Redekar, Prabhleen Sandhu, Keith Allen, Assad Raja, Manish Gandhi
Director: Hansal Mehta
What’s Good: Kareena Kapoor Khan’s intense performance, gripping plot, no meandering from the main storyline with irrelevant sub-plots
What’s Bad: The plot falls prey to predictability towards the climax, not enough character development of some supporting characters, and the investigation at focus could have been portrayed more nuanced.
Loo Break: We wouldn’t suggest it since it’s a riveting whodunnit story
Watch or Not?: Yes, definitely, especially for all the Kareena Kapoor Khan fans out there.
Language: Hindi/English
Available On: Theatrical Release
Runtime: 107 minutes
The Buckingham Murders Movie Review: Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Gripping Performance Anchors This Emotionally Charged Whodunit
The Buckingham Murders is not just a typical crime thriller—it is a haunting portrayal of grief, trauma, and personal redemption, woven through a gripping murder mystery. Produced by and starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, the film is helmed by Hansal Mehta and features a script that plunges the audience into the grim underbelly of Buckinghamshire, where darkness lurks not just in the crime but within the minds of the characters.
A Tragic Protagonist Haunted by Her Past
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays Jasmeet Bhamra, or Jass, a police officer struggling with the devastating loss of her son, who was murdered in a senseless arcade shooting. This tragedy has left her deeply scarred, unable to process her grief, despite the perpetrator being arrested. Her trauma is palpable—manifesting in anxiety and flashbacks that torment her throughout the film. The audience is pulled into her inner turmoil, where her anguish is inescapable, lingering in every scene. Kareena Kapoor Khan skillfully conveys the layered emotions of Jass, capturing the angst of a mother grieving a loss she can never reconcile.
Jass is soon tasked with a new case—a missing child in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who is later discovered murdered. As she delves into the investigation, the political and religious tensions already simmering in the region bubble to the surface. When a Muslim man is arrested as a suspect, the case appears to be closed. However, Jass is unconvinced. Her instincts tell her that the real story remains buried, and the arrested man is just a pawn in a larger, darker game.
A Macabre Setting and Intriguing Themes
Director Hansal Mehta wastes no time in establishing the film’s grim tone. From the first scenes, the movie is steeped in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere. The cold, overcast streets of Buckinghamshire mirror Jass’ emotional state, painting a picture of bleakness and dread. The crime scene is rife with suspects, each hiding their secrets, and as the investigation deepens, the tension builds.
What sets The Buckingham Murders apart is its exploration of layered social issues that run parallel to the murder mystery. The film uses the investigation as a canvas to address a wide range of themes—religious conflicts, addiction, misogyny, and the frailty of personal relationships. Each character Jass encounters seems to carry their own emotional baggage, adding depth to the narrative. These themes are not just peripheral—they feed into the central mystery, creating a richly textured story that resonates on multiple levels.
The screenplay, written by Aseem Arrora, ensures that these themes are integrated seamlessly. The script is lean and doesn’t waste time with unnecessary subplots. It keeps the audience engaged with a tight, fast-paced narrative, focusing on the murder case and Jass’ inner struggle as she grapples with her trauma. The pacing keeps viewers invested, although the film falters slightly in the second half, when it approaches its climax.
A Tense Build-Up with a Predictable Payoff
While the movie excels in building an intense, moody atmosphere, the second half of The Buckingham Murders stumbles in its execution. The investigation into the murder starts off strong, introducing a plethora of suspects, but as the plot progresses, it begins to follow a more predictable path. The final revelations don’t pack as much of a punch as one would expect, given the intricate build-up. The film could have benefited from a more nuanced handling of the investigation and the development of its supporting characters.
There are moments where the screenplay feels slightly rushed, and some of the secondary characters—though well-acted—are not fully fleshed out. Their motivations and actions towards the end are left somewhat ambiguous, leaving the audience questioning their roles in the story. With better character development, the film’s climax could have been far more impactful.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Stellar Performance
Despite the narrative’s occasional shortcomings, Kareena Kapoor Khan is the undeniable heart of the film. As Jass, she delivers one of her most emotionally charged performances to date. Gone is the glamorous Bollywood star—in The Buckingham Murders, Kareena transforms into a raw, de-glam version of herself, embodying the pain and vulnerability of her character with quiet intensity.
The actress conveys the fragility of a mother haunted by the loss of her son, her performance anchored in small, poignant moments. One such scene shows Jass clutching her son’s blood-stained clothes, unable to part with the remnants of his life—a heart-wrenching image that speaks volumes about her inability to move forward.
Yet, Jass is not just a victim of her circumstances. She is also a strong, determined woman who refuses to let her personal grief cloud her professional judgment. In moments of frustration, she is sharp and unapologetic, as seen when she physically confronts a co-worker for making an inappropriate remark or bluntly tells another colleague to “go f**k himself.” Kareena shines in these confrontational moments, showing both her character’s inner turmoil and her defiance.
Strong Supporting Cast and Social Commentary
Apart from Kareena, the supporting cast delivers commendable performances, particularly Kapil Redekar, who plays Saqib, the young man accused of the child’s murder. His portrayal of a life entangled in addiction and societal neglect is chillingly raw, adding a deeper emotional layer to the film’s depiction of youth lost to violence and drugs.
Ranveer Brar, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu, Manish Gandhi, and Keith Allen also contribute to the story, although their characters could have used more development. The complex web of social issues—religious tensions, cultural divides, and gender politics—elevates the film, offering more than just a typical crime thriller.
Hansal Mehta’s direction is solid, capturing the bleak landscape of Buckinghamshire and mirroring the desolation within Jass. While the film’s suspense could have been more intense, Mehta does succeed in creating a brooding atmosphere that keeps the audience invested. The murder mystery, combined with the personal journey of a grieving mother, is a compelling combination, though not without its flaws.
Final Thoughts: A Worthwhile Watch
In The Buckingham Murders, Kareena Kapoor Khan delivers a haunting performance that is both vulnerable and fierce. Her portrayal of Jass, a mother seeking justice while battling her own demons, is the movie’s strongest asset. The film may not be without its imperfections—particularly in its predictability and underdeveloped supporting characters—but it remains a compelling watch for fans of the crime thriller genre.
The music, particularly the melancholic track “Sada Pyaar Tut Gaya,” adds to the emotional depth of the film, complementing its darker tones. Once the movie releases on OTT platforms, it’s likely to find a wider audience who will appreciate its gritty storytelling and nuanced lead performance.
For those seeking a mix of psychological drama and a murder mystery, The Buckingham Murders offers an engaging experience, with Kareena Kapoor Khan at her finest.
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