Especially if we’re talking about a mystery or thriller where there could be plot twists and character reveals and dun dun DUN type of moments, the less I know the happier I am. This runs counter to Hollywood marketers making a habit of showing us the most shocking moments in trailers, naturally. And then there’s the online Discourse, which I’m about to Diss of Course because that, too, takes away some of the joys of discovery.
However! I have a solution. If I watch a movie that is not in English and not even made in the US, the odds of it being spoiled in any way before I see it are greatly reduced. And this, my friends, is how I stumbled across Badla, a Hindi remake of a Spanish language film. I saw that it appeared to be something of a murder mystery/legal thriller and that’s all I needed to know. I hit play on Netflix and strapped in for the ride. Hypocritically, I’m writing a column about this movie so you will end up knowing more than I did when you watch it. Nonetheless, I promise not to spoil your good time by giving away its secrets. I’ll just tantalize you with some details that hopefully help you decide if this should be your next watch.
Selling point number one: If you love Al Pacino, the lead character in this movie is going to make you very happy. Pacino is not in this movie but I swear this feels like a role he could and would play if there ever is a Hollywood remake. Not Al is played by Amitabh Bachchan, who has starred in hundreds of Bollywood films and impressed the likes of Francois Truffaut back in the day. I will confess this is the first movie I’ve seen him in but I can see what the hype is about already, and I’ll definitely check out others.
Selling point number two: It’s a locked room mystery. Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie both popularized this whodonit on hard mode, and Rian Johnson had some fun with it as well in his latest installment of the Knives Out franchise. This one takes place in a hotel room, and as a selling point to the selling point, I personally think movies set at hotels have lots of potential for greatness. See also: The Shining; The Grand Budapest Hotel. This is not as good as either of those, but you get my point.
Selling point number three: This movie is not trying to be super gritty and realistic and grounded; think more Frieda McFadden and less Anatomy of a Fall. It’s 2026. You don’t want realism in your entertainment, the world is a doomscrolling vampire. What you want is unhinged behavior by characters who know better, or should.
Selling point number four: Amrita Singh. She plays a supporting character in this movie and was nominated for multiple awards for the performance by critics groups. Once you see it you will understand why. I have decided my Hindi film education must continue by watching more of her filmography because she’s great.
If my powers of persuasion have been successful, you have now been sold on watching this movie. Caveat emptor and all that; if you are expecting this to be Prestige Cinema it will probably not deliver. If you just want the type of movie that a mid-'90s Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin would have starred in based on a script by Wesley Strick, this might be the ticket for you. It’s not an erotic thriller but there is an affair, if that helps seal the deal. Parts of the plot could be described as “highly illogical” and “what is wrong with you” but so could parts of the average Tuesday, so why the hell not?
Since watching this, I’ve learned that there have actually been six different remakes in various languages. I’m not sure I will seek any of them out, but if you decide to please let me know! Badla is available on Netflix in the US; you can also rent it on Apple TV or YouTube.
However! I have a solution. If I watch a movie that is not in English and not even made in the US, the odds of it being spoiled in any way before I see it are greatly reduced. And this, my friends, is how I stumbled across Badla, a Hindi remake of a Spanish language film. I saw that it appeared to be something of a murder mystery/legal thriller and that’s all I needed to know. I hit play on Netflix and strapped in for the ride. Hypocritically, I’m writing a column about this movie so you will end up knowing more than I did when you watch it. Nonetheless, I promise not to spoil your good time by giving away its secrets. I’ll just tantalize you with some details that hopefully help you decide if this should be your next watch.
Selling point number two: It’s a locked room mystery. Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie both popularized this whodonit on hard mode, and Rian Johnson had some fun with it as well in his latest installment of the Knives Out franchise. This one takes place in a hotel room, and as a selling point to the selling point, I personally think movies set at hotels have lots of potential for greatness. See also: The Shining; The Grand Budapest Hotel. This is not as good as either of those, but you get my point.
Selling point number three: This movie is not trying to be super gritty and realistic and grounded; think more Frieda McFadden and less Anatomy of a Fall. It’s 2026. You don’t want realism in your entertainment, the world is a doomscrolling vampire. What you want is unhinged behavior by characters who know better, or should.
Selling point number four: Amrita Singh. She plays a supporting character in this movie and was nominated for multiple awards for the performance by critics groups. Once you see it you will understand why. I have decided my Hindi film education must continue by watching more of her filmography because she’s great.
Since watching this, I’ve learned that there have actually been six different remakes in various languages. I’m not sure I will seek any of them out, but if you decide to please let me know! Badla is available on Netflix in the US; you can also rent it on Apple TV or YouTube.
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