The film “Darlings,” starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, and Vijay Varma, explores the serious issue of domestic violence with an unexpected dark comedy twist. Directed by newcomer Jasmeet K Reen, the movie cleverly addresses how abuse against both women and men is often normalized in many Indian households. The story revolves around Badrunissa Shaikh, or Badru (played by Bhatt), who is deeply in love with Hamza Shaikh (played by Varma). She marries him as soon as he gets a government job, but soon finds herself facing nightly assaults for trivial reasons.

Three years into their marriage, Badru suffers continuous abuse—from complaints about her cooking to accusations of infidelity. The abuse worsens until Badru finally decides to take a stand. The film then follows Badru and her mother (played by Shah) as they face their difficult situation and find the strength to survive in Mumbai.

With a runtime of two hours and 14 minutes, “Darlings” is well-paced and full of surprises that keep the audience interested. Reen’s story, co-written with Parveez Sheikh, brings out strong emotions like anger, helplessness, and empathy. The dialogues, written by Vijay Maurya along with Sheikh and Reen, are particularly impressive, fitting well into the dark comedy genre. The film’s subtle humor requires close attention to fully appreciate, with some lines and comic moments standing out.

However, the film does raise concerns about using domestic violence for comedy. The portrayal of a woman staying with her abusive husband, a man showing no remorse, and passive spectators can be troubling. In a time when more progressive and empowering stories are popular, “Darlings” makes us question if such a film is necessary to convey its message. The film sometimes only touches on understanding the mindset of men who normalize domestic violence, often blaming it on alcohol.

The film also includes stereotypical characters, such as a salon owner who prefers gossip over action and a trusted uncle who covers up for the family’s wrongdoings. There’s also Hamza’s boss, who makes Hamza’s life worse and likes to meddle in others’ affairs.

Despite these issues, the performances in “Darlings” are outstanding. Bhatt’s portrayal of Badru is engaging, with her quirky lines, emotional depth, and vulnerability making her character relatable. Shefali Shah, playing Badru’s mother, gives a powerful performance, providing strong support to Bhatt’s character. Varma is convincingly despicable as Hamza, and his character is realistically cruel. Roshan Mathew as Zulfi also makes an impact, although his role could have been bigger.

The dynamic between Bhatt and Shah is one of the film’s strongest points. The focus on their mother-daughter relationship, rather than just the domestic violence, adds depth to the story. However, when Hamza becomes the victim, the portrayal of violence against men is presented with a hint of irony that might seem problematic. Badru’s actions, driven by revenge, complicate the narrative and might be seen as anti-men, sparking debate among viewers.

Overall, “Darlings” is a thought-provoking film that, despite its flaws, manages to address serious issues with a mix of dark humor and emotional depth.