In the gritty and intense thriller 'Sector 36', now streaming on Netflix, Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal deliver powerhouse performances—the former as a psychopath serial killer and the latter as a cop navigating the dark underbelly of crime and corruption in Delhi.

Directed by Aditya Nimbalkar, this gripping film takes viewers on a tense ride through the bylanes of a local slum. With its taut script, atmospheric setting, and outstanding lead performances, 'Sector 36' promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats—but does it live up to its promise? We review.

The horror of disappearing children exposes a dark and sinister crime:

‘Sector 36’ is inspired by true events. It is sent in a slum area in Delhi that houses migrants. Children of this slum have been disappearing for a while, but local police brushed it away, saying they went of their will. However, when a sub-inspector foils the almost-kidnapping of his own daughter, he sets off on a mission to find a missing woman. Little did he know that his search would lead him to uncover a gruesome crime of multiple murders.

The crowning achievement of 'Sector 36' is its impeccable casting:

When the makers announced the lead cast of ‘Sector 36,’ viewers were certain of expecting a film that would ride high on performance. True to expectations, casting is certainly the greatest asset of this newly released film.

Vikrant has effortlessly portrayed a wide range of roles, from romantic leads and dramatic characters to complex thriller personas and socially relevant protagonists. However, it is the first time that he has played a character that is so intense, dark, and brutal. He, as Prem, will give you the chills. It’s, by far, his best performance, which also surpasses his ‘12th Fail’ act and how!

On the other hand, you have Deepak as a diligent cop, Ram Chandra Pandey. Throughout his acting career, Deepak’s acting range has spanned from comedic timing and comical characters to intense dramatic roles and dark, edgy personas, showcasing his incredible versatility. He is undoubtedly one of the most underrated actors that will never leave you disappointed with his act, whichever role is thrown at him.

It’s a water-tight screenplay that keeps you hooked:

Writer Bodhayan Roychaudhury has wasted no time in setting the pace for the film. It jumps right into the action with several kids being kidnapped that helps in setting the tone for a thrilling ride. From the beginning to the very end, ‘Sector 36’ keeps you on the edge. Bodhayan has skillfully managed to maintain the pace of the story. At no point has he faltered in the writing while revealing the unsettling truth of crimes.

Although ‘Sector 36’ does have some violent scenes shown indirectly, a particular scene that will surely send chills down your spine is one where Prem (Vikrant) is narrating his crime(s). With pride on his face and the Haryanavi accent, Prem begins to narrate a barbaric sexual assault crime, without batting an eyelid. Even though there are no visuals of the crime shown, the way he narrates it, itself is good enough to instil fear in the viewer. It’s possibly one of the most powerful scenes of ‘Sector 36’ that has been written, performed, and directed with so much conviction.

Aditya’s maiden venture sets a new standard for crime thrillers:

‘Sector 36’ marks the directorial debut of Aditya, who has previously worked as an assistant director on films such as ‘Haider,’ ‘Kaminey,’ ‘Nishabd,’ and ‘Talvar.’ Having worked with acclaimed directors like Vishal Bhardwaj and Meghna Gulzar, Aditya’s ‘Sector 36’ proves that he has learned the art of direction from some of the best in the business. With his maiden venture, Aditya has shown his storytelling prowess and how he is skilled to masterfully keep a track of the narrative.

It’s a win-win at the technical front too:

Kudos to the film’s cinematographer Sourabh Goswami. The introduction scene of Prem where he is lying upside down on the couch while watching a quiz show on television is shot to brilliance. Several other scenes where crime takes place have been shot in such a way that no visuals of the direct crime are shown, yet it leaves a strong impact on the minds of the viewers.

Additionally, ‘Sector 36’s background music and songs are equally good. The songs, ‘Dumroo’ sung by Mohit Chouhan and Anupam Amod, and ‘Saaya’ by Kanishk Seth, are beautiful creations. However, the track that has names of abducted kids and plays on the screen at least twice, once during Prem's confession of crimes, is a complete standout.

Watch it or skip it?

Although ‘Sector 36’ has mostly hit a home run in most parameters, it also turned a tad bit predictable towards the end. The predictability is possibly the only factor that scores a little low. Despite that, ‘Sector 36’ comes across as one of the best crime thrillers that Bollywood has made in recent times. And thus, it sure deserves to be on your watchlist.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars