Raat Akeli Hai (A lonely night, Hindi; 2020)
Netflix
Everyone enjoys a delightful whodunnit every once in a while. The problem with most Indian movies is that the said story eventually becomes too outlandish as the movie drags on for over two hours and the screenwriters rushing to tie all loose end into a jumble. But not this one. It has Agatha Christie's trademark storyline written all over it. It goes on round and round, shifting the suspicion from one character to another. In the midst of all these, some subplots give the story more punch.
A dead body starts the narration. No one is beyond suspicion, and everyone has something hidden in their proverbial closet. Everyone has a valid reason to be the murderer but an alibi as well. Good old detective work solves the case at the end.
A wealthy tycoon is found dead on his bed on the night of his second wedding to a girl younger than his daughter. The tycoon is a nasty chap who had lost his wife to a highway robbery cum murder five years earlier. His family which includes his adult son, daughter, sister and first wife's brother are all unhappy with the old man's marriage to his young bride, a lady of questionable reputations who came into the house as his mistress. With every member of this patriarchal clan having a perfect reason to commit the murder, in walks an inspector. Of course, the maids know more than they are willing to talk.
After watching the movie, only then you realise that you have seen it all before. Yes, it is a remake of 'Knives Out' starring Daniel Craig as the inspector. If 'Knives Out' was more of a light-hearted comedy, 'Raat Akeli Hai' is a dark drama that deals with the unsavoury truths of society where wealth and power bring with it evil intentions and ability to get away with murder. On the other hand, being stuck in the lower rung of society also pushes one to commit heinous crimes of desperation and helplessness.
Netflix
Everyone enjoys a delightful whodunnit every once in a while. The problem with most Indian movies is that the said story eventually becomes too outlandish as the movie drags on for over two hours and the screenwriters rushing to tie all loose end into a jumble. But not this one. It has Agatha Christie's trademark storyline written all over it. It goes on round and round, shifting the suspicion from one character to another. In the midst of all these, some subplots give the story more punch. A dead body starts the narration. No one is beyond suspicion, and everyone has something hidden in their proverbial closet. Everyone has a valid reason to be the murderer but an alibi as well. Good old detective work solves the case at the end.
A wealthy tycoon is found dead on his bed on the night of his second wedding to a girl younger than his daughter. The tycoon is a nasty chap who had lost his wife to a highway robbery cum murder five years earlier. His family which includes his adult son, daughter, sister and first wife's brother are all unhappy with the old man's marriage to his young bride, a lady of questionable reputations who came into the house as his mistress. With every member of this patriarchal clan having a perfect reason to commit the murder, in walks an inspector. Of course, the maids know more than they are willing to talk.
After watching the movie, only then you realise that you have seen it all before. Yes, it is a remake of 'Knives Out' starring Daniel Craig as the inspector. If 'Knives Out' was more of a light-hearted comedy, 'Raat Akeli Hai' is a dark drama that deals with the unsavoury truths of society where wealth and power bring with it evil intentions and ability to get away with murder. On the other hand, being stuck in the lower rung of society also pushes one to commit heinous crimes of desperation and helplessness.
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