CTRL (2024) Review!!

Synopsis – Nella Awasthi, a young woman who, after discovering her boyfriend has been unfaithful, turns to a mysterious app designed to “take control” of her life and happiness. What starts as an innocent decision soon spirals into chaos.

My Take – Though Screenlife, a form of visual storytelling in which events are shown entirely on a computer, tablet or smartphone screen, has become quite popular following the release of Unfriended (2014), and further cemented its status with the success of Searching (2018), and it’s standalone sequel, Missing (2023), Indian cinema has not been so forthcoming with the format, despite widely embracing the digital age over the past decade.

With the 2020 Malayalam language mystery thriller, C U Soon, starring Fahadh Faasil, as the only one to wholly embrace it to excellent results, since the style was introduced.

Marking the first Hindi screenlife film is this latest Netflix release from acclaimed producer- writer-director Vikramaditya Motwane, his first feature since AK vs AK (2020), who presents a chillingly relevant exploration of our digital lives and tells a cautionary tale about the world’s obsession and our near-total dependence on online apps, prompting viewers to reflect on their own relationship with technology.

Exposing the unsettling consequences of letting AI into our personal space, primarily since it’s controlled by humans. The film explores the dark side of our digital dependence when we give machines control of our happiness and life.

Sure, it is gentler in its explorations and some idea don’t land. But each, in its own way, contributes to the chaotic, experiential and unlike-anything-we-have-seen-before composite canvas that the film creates. It helps that Ananya Panday, coming off the success of Prime Video series, Call Me Bae, takes to the lead role like fish to water.

The story follows Nalini aka Nella Awasthi (Ananya Panday), a Delhi girl, who lives in Mumbai with her boyfriend, Joe Mascarenhas (Vihaan Samat). Known as the perfect influencer couple due to their online channel called NJOY, on which they post about everything they do together, vlog every minute of their lives and enjoy brand deals that come with it.

However, when Nella catches Joe cheating on her while live-streaming an anniversary surprise, she breaks up with him, and becomes the subject of trolling due to her erratic reaction. Desperate for a fresh start, Nella takes up a suggestion and signs up for an AI assistant app called CTRL.

Creating an AI avatar named Allen (voiced by Aparshakti Khurana), Nella forms a bond as the latter begins to digitally remove Joe from her pictures and videos, all the while setting her up as an individual brand.

However, Nella soon uncovers a conspiracy within the parent company Mantra, particularly when Joe, who along with his associates was dedicated to exposing the crimes of a Meta-esque conglomerate, goes missing.

Co-written by Avinash Sampath & Vikramaditya Motwane, the film offers a very intriguing insight into the worlds of Gen Z and Alpha generation. The film accurately portrays the world of viral content, cyberbullying, and social media’s all-consuming nature for Gen Z. It highlights the ultimate validation sought through likes, shares, and followers. Motwane‘s direction masterfully captures the blurred lines between reality and online personas.

In the film, when the A.I. starts taking control of Nella’s life, one can feel the choke in the throat. Coming at a time when social media influencers are being cast to sell films and series and OTT platforms have the phone numbers and email accounts of the audience to keep a tab on their taste, the film does generate an eerie feeling about the impending dangers of losing control over our lives.

What really struck me was how the film draws home the fact how the absence of social media instils a sense of loneliness. Here, what director Motwane has done exceptionally well is use the screenlife format organically. Whenever Nella is on a video call with her best-friend Bina (Devika Vatsa), it feels completely natural. There are no extra lights to brighten the calls; they have been shot in natural light, which adds to the authenticity.

Even the apps created for the film have an aesthetic quality. Where the film struggles is to sell the conspiracy behind Mantra, which boils down to a familiar capitalistic ploy to literally own their consumers.

Taking up space in the third act onwards, I found the explanation to be a bit half backed in an otherwise fast-paced and sturdy story. However, the film, in its 98 minutes, never leaves a dull moment behind.

As mentioned earlier, it helps that Ananya Panday delivers a commendable performance as the lead, navigating the complexities of her character’s predicament with conviction. Call it the backing of a strong story or the mood of the film, Ananya shines in a film that she effortlessly shoulders single-handedly.

Vihaan Samat has limited screen time but makes up for it with his able performance. Particularly a monologue which he wholeheartedly sells. Aparshakti Khurana too is excellent as the voice of Allen.

In other roles, Devika Vatsa, Kamakshi Bhat, Aryan K, and Suchiita Niigam Patel provide good support. On the whole, ‘CTRL’ is a gripping screenlife thriller bolstered by its thought-provoking premise and Ananya Panday‘s compelling performance.