Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Baramulla: Netflix Film Merges Horror, Trauma, and Political Grief in Kashmir
Imagine a police officer named Ridwan who moves to the beautiful but sometimes scary place of Kashmir with his family.
He has to find six missing boys, and as he investigates, strange and spooky things start happening in his new house.
The movie is like a ghost story mixed with a detective mystery, but it also talks about sad things from the past, like when many people had to leave their homes in Kashmir.
The police officer's own family has problems too, especially with his daughter, and these problems become part of the scary events.
The movie uses a lot of white colors, like snowy landscapes and white flowers, not to show happiness, but to remind us of emptiness and loss.
It shows that sometimes the scariest things are not just ghosts, but also the deep sadness and fears people carry.
The film 'Baramulla' on Netflix is a Hindi-language supernatural horror and psychological thriller set in Kashmir.
Manav Kaul stars as DSP Ridwaan Sayyed, investigating the mysterious disappearance of six school children.
The film uses a haunting atmosphere, characterized by specific visual elements like whiteness and grey hues, to symbolize loss and dread.
It intertwines the investigation with the personal struggles of Ridwaan's family and touches upon historical trauma, including the 1991 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.
Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, the movie explores themes of grief, displacement, and the unseen forces that affect both individuals and nations.
- Who
- DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul), his wife Gulnaar (Bhasha Sumbli), their children Ayaan and Noorie, and six missing school children.
- What
- A supernatural horror and psychological thriller film exploring the investigation into missing children amidst personal family struggles and historical/political trauma.
- When
- The film depicts an ongoing investigation and the unfolding of supernatural and personal horrors.
- Where
- Baramulla, Kashmir.
- Why
- DSP Ridwaan Sayyed is investigating the mysterious disappearance of children, which leads him and his family into a web of terror, confronting external evils and his own personal demons and past traumas.
Strengths
Potential Criticisms
Atmosphere and Themes
Strengths
The film excels at creating a haunting atmosphere through its cinematography, using visual cues like whiteness and grey hues to symbolize loss and emptiness, effectively blending supernatural horror with psychological tension and political commentary.
Potential Criticisms
The inclusion of complex themes such as the 1991 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and political unrest might be perceived by some viewers as difficult to ignore or potentially overwhelming within the supernatural horror narrative.
Narrative Complexity
Strengths
The screenplay skillfully juggles multiple subplots, including folklore, politics, and horror, maintaining narrative cohesion and deliberate pacing that allows tension to build effectively.
Potential Criticisms
Despite the deliberate pacing, the density of information and the integration of various complex themes, particularly towards the climax, could potentially lead to a convoluted viewing experience for some.
Performances
Strengths
Manav Kaul delivers a quietly powerful and emotionally layered performance as DSP Ridwaan Sayyed, capturing his anguish and struggle. Bhasha Sumbli as Gulnaar provides a strong emotional anchor, contrasting with the surrounding chaos.
Potential Criticisms
The film's deep dive into the psychological landscape of fear and loss, while effective for many, might be too intense or unsettling for certain audience members.
- Title
- Baramulla
- Director
- Aditya Suhas Jambhale
- Writers
- Aditya Dhar, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Monal Thaakar
- Lead Actor
- Manav Kaul as DSP Ridwaan Sayyed
- Supporting Actor
- Bhasha Sumbli as Gulnaar
- Genre
- Supernatural Horror, Psychological Thriller, Political Drama
- Setting
- Baramulla, Kashmir
- Streaming Platform
- Netflix
Sources
Baramulla Review: Unique Film!
Netflix’s ‘Baramulla’ Movie Review: Manav Kaul gives his best in a film which is just not good enough!
‘Baramulla’ review: A tale of horror, involving humans
Baramulla Review: Manav Kaul & Bhasha Sumbli 'Successfully' Become First Torchbearers Of First Ever Kashmir Based Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s Edge Of The Seat Spooky Thriller!
Baramulla movie review: Manav Kaul leads a riveting story rooted in Kashmir’s tragic past
Baramulla movie review: A gripping thriller that falters under its own weight
Baramulla movie: All you should know about Manav Kaul’s chilling Kashmir thriller
Baramulla Review: Tulips, Trauma, And Terror Tie This Netflix Film Together