Merry Christmas (2024) User Reviews

The movie has a surprise reveal, rather than some mind-blowing and wtf twist.

[Fella_shibby · 8/10 · 10 February 2024]

I saw this third day last show with my family in Gaiety theater, Bandra West.

The sad part was that the theatre was almost empty but i enjoyed the movie n was looking forward to it cos of the director Raghavan. While the misogynist n regressive film like Animal was theatre packed.

Coming back to this film, this one truly transports the viewers to the 80s Bombay. The Regal theatre, Colaba's lanes n empty streets all added an extra nostalgic charm.

There are no twists n turns n the movie moves at a deliberate slow pace showcasing the laid back attitude of the 80s.

Haven't read the book n haven't seen the short movie.

Katrina Kaif was a very wrong choice to potray a woman from the 80s.

Vijay was perfect n gave a good restrained performance.

The movie has a surprise reveal, rather than some mind-blowing and wtf twist.

Slow slow burn....

[ssr2000 · 6/10 · 12 January 2024]

A very slow burn ..by a exceptional director who thrives in movies of this genre. He has had made most of his material hit the spot...and usally word of mouth gets his movies to go up in viewership But in this one ..the buildup takes an entire first half that could have been easily chopped by 30 percent minimum.. but in the hindsight the buildup was needed for the so called surprise ending But a watchful viewer would have guessed it as we get into the last course It's a very decent story ...but it doesn't bangs like his previous work.

Actors are very honest to their art. Katrina does exceptionally well. Vijay is such a charm you ...just love watching him on the screen.

Only if there was more meat on the soup the celebration would have made it perfect merry cristmas.

Only for those who like this kind of cinema....

[shaikhirshad-41223 · 7/10 · 12 January 2024]

A Pure Sriram Raghavan style murder mystery but not yet upto the mark.

Movie starts off with slow pace screenplay with good character development and storyline.

Music is good in the 1st half and well suited with the characters but screenplay could've been much better and can easily trimmed few scenes to make it more engaging.

2nd half is the main highlight of this film where the film gets interesting and the plot demands your attention. Though I'm little surprised in the climax the way director has shown in the different style of his movie making is good but still to be considered as an open ending from my view.

Acting Performances of VIJAY & KATRINA carries the whole film from start till end though the story doesn't demand much characters and supporting cast did a good job too.

Cinematography & Bgm is well good in some scenes and specially in climax music is on another level From storywise yes it has some unique way to present murder mystery with a few twist but still it is average as compared to director old filmography.

It's definitely a one time watch for cinema fans and those who love watching Sriram Raghavan's film......

Director SriramRaghavan delivers an out-of-the-box, absorbing tale that teases your mind, besides keeping you engaged and entertained.

[finnalex · 7/10 · 12 January 2024]

Serpentine twists and turns. Nail-biting suspense and tension-filled moments that keep you on edge. A masterstroke finale... Director SriramRaghavan delivers an out-of-the-box, absorbing tale that teases your mind, besides keeping you engaged and entertained. MerryChristmas could've done with faster pacing and slight trimming for an enhanced impact... Also, this film depends entirely on a strong word of mouth, so don't expect fireworks at the BO on arrival.

In the coming days, one word that's sure to be associated with Merry Christmas is 'slow burn'. In the past few years, we, as an audience, have become so accustomed to a fast-paced narrative that anything remotely unhurried feels like it's demanding a lot from us. In Merry Christmas, Sriram Raghavan takes his own sweet time to tell the tale of a woman in an unhappy marriage and a man with a mysterious past while also making sure that his characters have abundant time to breathe, talk, and even go for a walk around town.

On the whole, MERRY CHRISTMAS is a well-made thriller and is laced with a fine performance by Vijay Sethupathi. At the box office, it'll need a strong word of mouth to succeed as it appeals only to the multiplex audience in the urban areas.

Slow Thriller

[best-review · 12 January 2024]

"Merry Christmas" unfolds a tantalizing whodunnit starring Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif, skillfully crafted by director Sriram Raghavan. Renowned for his top-notch technique, Raghavan delivers a thriller that diverges from the ordinary.

The plot follows strangers Albert and Maria, portrayed by Sethupathi and Kaif, navigating a web of unforeseen events. Raghavan's deliberate pacing, reminiscent of Bombay in the 80s, may challenge some viewers, yet the second half captivates with a seductive dance of intrigue.

Sethupathi shines with his charismatic one-liners, while Kaif impressively surrenders to Raghavan's vision. Supported by a stellar cast, including a standout cameo by Sanjay Kapoor, and enriched by seamless cinematography and a compelling score, the film's climax and post-credit scenes reward patience.

"Merry Christmas" marks a stellar beginning to 2024, offering a refreshing departure from formulaic cinema, with Sethupathi and Kaif's pairing as the winning card.

Not a Sriram Raghawan signature movie, disappointed

[brijeshcs-18820 · 6/10 · 18 January 2024]

Negative: Toooo slow, but only watched till end hoping that direction will surprise, but unfortunately total disappointed, Predictable at most of the parts Katrina was totally wrong choice for this role, she can't act at all.

Vinay pathak is over acted.

Leems like only Sriram Raghawan name used but actually he did not work and taken care only last 25 minutes

Positive: Vijay: effortless acting, always like to see his acting and he never disappoints.

Best part of the movie was last 20-25 minutes, which is the saviour and only part which viewers will take back from theater.

Sanjay Kapoor is best suited for unpredictable charecter roles but some how industry has not much offered such roles to him.

Watch only if you don't expect anything from Sriram Raghawan.

"A Slow Poison"

[yazooshrestha · 10/10 · 14 January 2024]

One word that sums up this whole film is "Magnificent".

This was Kaif's one of the best performance I've seen. And, no doubt in Sethupati sir's act as well. The whole cast did an amazing work. Stellar performance from every actors who were seen on the screen.

I have always been an enthusiast of crime thriller noir cinema and this is a film which I will add up to my list.

The first half of the films was just 2 characters having conversation and some might feel tedious, but that part of the film did okay for me. It was kind of like Before Sunrise. I knew that it was creating an unhurried build-up for the second half. It really tests your ability to stay patience. As it was sir Raghavan's sir film I was pretty sure that the characters were hiding something which we are going to experience with some massive twists and turns in the second half.

And when the second half hit the show not even a single person that were watching the film in theater got distracted, they were wholly into the film.

The cinematography and the direction of the whole film was top notch. It really was offering a beautiful shots with momentous secrets of the characters.

I was expecting more people to be on theater for this film. But, sadly there were only few. And If I am not wrong people will talk more about this film after it comes on OTT.

Good premise

[JPEI64 · 6/10 · 13 March 2024]

Started off quite well and looked promising. Kind of fell apart halfway.

The whole initial set up though of the two lead characters first meeting seemed quite trite and unnatural. Actually it looked forced as if the director wanted to start off the narrative in a hurry and couldn't bother to build upon characterisation.

First half is intriguing and definitely watchable. Shame that in the second half everything went for a toss.

Vijay is a very good actor there's no doubt, but this is not for him. He looked totally uncomfortable and particularly so in the intimate scenes with Katrina.

Katrina does decent work - nothing amazing. She does try hard but the efforts show. I think if the dialogues were in English, she would be much better placed.

The narrative itself is weak in the second half and by the final scenes, you lose interest. Anyway still a better watch than what's coming out of B/wood these days, in the name of cinema.

Merry Christmas: Unwrap a Tangled Web of Mystery, Morals, and Mumbai Magic

[magadalwarmayur · 9/10 · 12 January 2024]

Forget the fruitcake and spiked eggnog, "Merry Christmas" is the real holiday treat you deserve. This isn't your grandma's feel-good Christmas movie; it's a suspenseful, stylish, and morally ambiguous masterpiece from Sriram Raghavan. Picture "Inception" meets "Casablanca" with a dash of Mumbai masala chai, and you're getting close.

Imagine a forbidden romance between a lonely housewife and a mysterious stranger, set against the twinkling lights and bustling chaos of Christmas Eve Mumbai. Pari Maheshwari Sharma smolders as the housewife, trapped in a gilded cage, while the enigmatic Vijay Varma saunters in with secrets simmering in his eyes. Raghavan paints every frame like a visual poem, using light, shadow, and even the way a sari swirls to hint at the tangled web of desires and betrayals to come.

Get ready for Hitchcockian twists that'll leave you gasping, like unwrapping a perfectly-shaped present only to find a ticking bomb inside. But Raghavan isn't just playing games; he's using this suspense to dig deep into the messy heart of human relationships. Is love a refuge or a prison? Where does loyalty lie when faced with temptation? And can you ever truly escape your past?

The music in this film is like a monsoon rainstorm on a Mumbai rooftop, swirling with sitar twangs and melancholic cello cries. It seeps into your bones and adds another layer to the film's intoxicating atmosphere. You'll be humming these tunes long after the credits roll.

Raghavan isn't afraid to borrow from the best, weaving the suspenseful chills of Hitchcock with the philosophical musings of Eric Rohmer. It's a genre-bending cocktail that's both familiar and refreshingly unique. He throws in unexpected pop culture references and Bollywood winks that'll have you grinning between gasps.

"Merry Christmas" isn't a film to passively watch; it's an invitation to participate, to puzzle over clues, question characters, and grapple with the moral tightrope they walk. It's a slow burn that explodes into a finale that will leave you shaken, stirred, and maybe a little bit hungover on existential questions.

So, ditch the fruitcake and dive into "Merry Christmas." It's a cinematic feast that will linger long after the last bite, leaving you questioning everything you thought you knew about love, loyalty, and the magic (and mayhem) of the holiday season.

P. S. Don't forget to pay attention to the little details in this film. Raghavan loves hiding clues and symbolism in every frame, from the color of someone's shirt to the stray object on a table. It's like a treasure hunt for the observant viewer!

Slow but good

[Chandru2206J · 7/10 · 12 March 2024]

This movie starts as a romance and ends as a thriller. The story was good and the scenes too. The movie gets into the actual story after 45 minutes. The interaction between Albert and Maria was good, but it could have been shorter.

The movie was slow-paced but intriguing most of the time but tested me at some points. It would be wise to trim some scenes and make it 2 hrs film or build some suspense and story around the murder.

Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif did a great job on this film. I watched the Tamil version of the movie, Tamil casting was good too. The dubbing and dialogues are also impressive.

At some point, I think there was no clear explanation of Maria's reason of her action.

The ending of the movie was good too.

The Raghavan's Style.

[kapoor_piyush_ · 4/10 · 3 February 2024]

Merry Christmas comes with ups and downs yet drastic emotions by all the actors in the film. Actors like Tinnu Anand, Sanjay Kapoor and Ashwini kalsekar has performed their parts really well. They have all been backbone while Katrina Kaif and Vijay sethupari was playing their character pretty well. The problem with Vijay sethupati is his dialogue delivery which creates problems for audiences to understand and then relate to the character. The flow of the film is pretty unique but Raghavan's style. Raghavan's style films mostly motivate audiences to expect from the unexpected. Katrina Kaif has played her part in magical way and after a very long time audience can witness such wonderful performance by Kaif. Vijay sethupati was elegant in his way apart from the dialogues. There was something new from his body language which he introduced through merry Christmas. Bgm was always carry forwarding the film in its own way. Cinematography was wonderful and director and DOP Team has explained the time frames through camera frames which was beautiful. First half of the film is pretty average with not so engaging story telling but second part helps people to engage and enjoy the film. Raghavan's trial Merry Christmas was successful in its way but couldn't come on expectations.

Sriram Raghavan delivers a gripping, dark tale of love.

[vinayaksrivastava-20682 · 8/10 · 22 March 2024]

With Merry Christmas, Sriram Raghavan both satisfies and subverts expectations, crafting another dark comedy thriller flaunting his signature direction style while opting for a more deliberate pace with fewer "twists", contrary to the frantic nature of his most recent work - Andhadhun.

Merry Christmas plays out more like a love story than a mystery. The peculiar pairing of Vijay Sethupati and Katrina Kaif was a casting choice bound to be met with skepticism. But the duo deliver mesmerising performances, with Kaif (as Maria) giving one of the finest performances of her long and illustrious career. She perfectly understands the mental torment that Maria is undergoing and depicts it with impeccable elegance. Vijay Sethupati plays Albert, a man on a quest for redemption, perfectly.

Sriram Raghavan, once again, is in complete command of his craft, establishing a sense of tension and mystery with the very opening scene. However, he opts for a more methodical pace, which becomes evident as the film unfolds. The major focus of the first half are the character development of the protagonists and the growth of their relationship. While certain phases of the film may seem drawn-out, there is a legitimate purpose for every scene that is included in the film.

Raghavan's use of music is, once again, on point. A plethora of vintage songs are peppered throughout the film, and play out during fitting moments, heightening the impact of the scenes. This is especially demonstrated in the film's final scene, which masterfully uses Vivaldi's "Winter" to elevate tension and emotional resonance of the scene.

Merry Christmas is haunting yet fun love story from Sriram Raghavan. It successfully differentiates itself from the director's prior works, while still bearing his distinctive style.

A complete wow

[rehmankhilji · 7/10 · 9 March 2024]

Firstly, unlike other reviewers, I will not even mention what the movie is all about. Even saying this might be considered a spoiler.

I recently watched this beautiful Netflix movie, and it was a complete weekend treat. Everything about the movie was exciting, and there was simply no dull moment in it.

Katrina Kaif was at her best; she showcased her acting skills to the max, and it was just too good.

Vijay Sethupathi, whom I first saw in "Farzi," was good, and now pairing opposite Katrina Kaif-though it may sound like some parallel universe-the actor has pulled it off magnificently.

In conclusion, don't read any reviews; they might spoil it for you. Just watch it, and you will find it much more entertaining.

Disappointing and Forgettable

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 3/10 · 8 March 2024]

For a movie directed and co-written by none other than Sriram Raghavan, it indeed came off as a disappointing affair.

Had it been any other novice in this field, I could have been more forgiving and passed it off as an average, serviceable attempt, but I just can't do the same for a veteran like Mr. Raghavan, someone who has already made his name in the industry.

Someone whose stature merits work that should be, at the very least, above the median. Unfortunately, "Merry Christmas" does not even belong in that category. This was sloppy, incoherent, badly edited, and above all, the end revelation failed to leave the desired impact.

Now when you take Raghavan's previous endeavours into consideration, likes of Badlapur and Andhadhun; his newest venture stands nowhere near the brilliance his prior two films exhibited, and that is a bummer if you ask me.

Nevertheless, Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi did well; at least there are some positives to take away from this forgettable mess.

An enjoyably merry comedy of errors

[isaacsundaralingam · 7/10 · 12 January 2024]

Sriram Raghavan's 'Merry Christmas' is the type of movie you'll want to watch without knowing too much about it beforehand. Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif star as a couple of strangers who strike up a conversation on Christmas Eve, which eventually evolves into something a lot more complicated, but not in the way one might expect.

It's a simple movie with a charming start, but it takes an unexpected twist that somewhat jarringly shifts the tone early on and takes the movie in a completely different direction, without giving up much of its established light-heartedness and charm. Revealing anything more than that would just take away from the surprise, as the movie continues to double down on its absurdity to compose an entertainingly fresh comedy of errors.

It's a fun and engaging movie that makes us care about the characters enough to have our fingers crossed with each decision they make. While it's entertaining, it's not without its flaws; the most noticeable being the chemistry between actors Sethupathi and Kaif, which just doesn't feel completely there. Vijay Sethupathi does a fantastic job with his character, while Katrina Kaif's doesn't really stand out. She's more eye-candy than a character study, which conveniently is also a plot point, so I guess it all worked out somehow.

Nonetheless, I'm scoring this movie on the positive side, as it did achieve what it likely set out to achieve - keeping us entertained, charmed, and guessing. It's not a bad movie to check out in cinemas if you do have the time.

VERY POOR CASTING!

[sunildaswaney-63642 · 6/10 · 19 January 2024]

MERRY CHRISTMAS had a very interesting storyline,but the casting of the main leads was extremely poor. Katrina Kaif at best is a below average actress and yet again she was very ordinary in a very demanding role. Vijay Setupathi might be a very big star in South India,but besides his witty dialogues(which have to be attributed to the writer or whomever and not him)I find him to be very very ordinary in every way with no exception. If the filmmaker had taken Tabu/Vidya Balan and Pankaj Tripathi/Nawazuddin Siddiqui instead of the present two and trimmed the movie by about 20 minutes,it would have been brilliant as these actors and actresses would have lifted the film to greater heights with their superb acting.

Alas,the 2hrs 24minutes running time and very poor casting of the main leads diluted the very good story line of this film 6/10.

Grey waala shade

[cinish · 9/10 · 13 March 2024]

Excellent movie. A very detailed and intimate sequence starts the movie. Soft and nice and charming. It is all good. And you start wondering when the plot is going to start.

And just as you wonder, the movie starts talking. Plot thickens. Craft does stand out. Details come out in a very nonchalant manner.

The plot has a certain made-upness to it that can throw a viewer off. But at the same time, there are some very interesting nuances. I really loved the way the movie ended.

It was a can't put down for me. There are moments that movies present that just bring you joy. Spectacular shots that just bring elation to you out of the blue. There were multiple such moments in this movie.

There is a very fine emotional thread that stays intact through all the drama and that thread had a grey shade to it.

A bland thriller

[alphadude007 · 6/10 · 10 March 2024]

Merry Christmas is an okay watch, but is a bit too slow for its own good. The build up takes a hell of a lot of time and during that you do suspect that something is fishy. However, the time spent on the build up doesn't connect us with the characters at all. I can't put my finger on what is it that's wrong, but my guess is the casting. Katrina is okay, but I am not sure why they cast Vijay Sethupathi in these roles. His Hindi accent is really hard to digest and he is not able to pull off the urban roles well. Anyways, the long build up is followed by a weak ending where the twist is revealed and the climax happens. But, the pay off is quite poor. For somebody who invested a good hour seeing terrible chemistry between Katrina and Vijay Sethupathi, the ending did not deliver. All in all an okay OTT watch, but nothing more.

Slow paced..yet captivating!! Sethupathi is brilliant

[sanjubhat · 8/10 · 14 January 2024]

Film Review: Merry Christmas now screening in theatres Synopsis - The paths of 2 lonely souls (Albert) Vijay Sethupathi & (Maria) Katrina Kaif cross on a Christmas Eve somewhere in the 1990's when Mumbai was still called Bombay. They get drawn towards each other before a chain of horrific events threaten to derail their lives forever!!

All events depicted on the film happen in the course of one night ... Sirf Ek raat ki kahani hai boss🙂 !!

Shreeram Raghavan who has given us pathbreaking films like Johnny Gaddar, Badlapur & Andhadhun has again tried to do something different!! But if u r expecting a fast paced film like Andhadhun or Johnny Gaddar u will be sorely disappointed!!

Most of the film, especially the first half trudges along with the pace of a tortoise which might seem boring to many . However each scene in the first half sets the tone for an interesting 2nd half where most of the action happens . Re-creation of the old world charm of Bombay in the 90s with tunes of old songs playing in the background, the iconic Regal cinema in SoBo , old BEST buses etc speaks volumes of the effort that the makers have put in!!

Sethupathi is just brilliant, cracking funny jokes that leave u in splits in the most serious moments. Katrina too has given a restrained performance. Others in the cast - Vinay Pathak as the cute inspector, Sanjay Kapoor, Ashwini Kalsekar, Tinnu Anand & Radhika Apte in a cameo have played their parts well .

This is a film which will be considered a masterpiece by some while being panned by others at the same time!! Not for people who r fond of usual masala Hindi films .

I loved the film , even with its slow pace . It will be well worth the wait of u hang on till the end !! Not as exciting as Andhadhun but not bad either . Worth a watch guys .. go for it !!

Going with 3.5/5 for this one ... Adios 🙂!!

#sanjuzzreviews #merrychristmas #vijaysethupathi #katrinakaif #merrychristmasfilm.

Slow Burn Murder Mystery which eventually delivers the goods

[spjek · 7/10 · 8 March 2024]

Merry Christmas was a nice suspense thriller which takes its own sweet time to get to the actual mystery of the movie but when it gets there it becomes difficult to guess what is going to happen next. The slow and somewhat creative revealing of the mystery and the final act of the movie are really well written and executed by our very own modern master of suspense. The movie doesn't have the same level of charm, intrigue, engagement, pace and suspense as Sriram Raghavan's masterpiece Andhadhun or even his earlier thrillers Badlapur and Johnny Gaddar but it is still a worthy entry in his stellar filmography.

Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi are pretty good in the movie despite their accents and lukewarm chemistry. However it is the story that does bulk of the heavy lifting and not the acting which is good but nothing to rave about like Tabu, Ayushmann, Varun and Nawaaz's performances in the last 2 Raghavan outings. Their perfomances lifted Andhadhun and Badlapur to a completely different level. That extra kick and spark is found lacking this time. The supporting cast of Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Tinnu Anand and Pratima Kazmi do a good job also but for some reason all the actors felt a bit subdued in their performances which makes this slightly long and slow movie feel a bit longer and slower.

The movie is slow but worth watching if you like slow burn suspense dramas. Anyone expecting thrills and chills like they got from Andhadun will feel a bit disappointed. Hence it is important to temper one's expectations if one has to enjoy Merry Christmas. I wanted to watch Merry Christmas in theater but the local theaters in our part of the woods in the US didnt even screen the movie. Now after finally watching it on OTT, I can understand why it didnt get a wide release in the US and only managed a dismal box office in India. The movie took a little too long (Exactly 54 mins) to evolve from a light drama with some romantic undertones to Oh! It's a murder mystery. The 2nd half of the movie is much superior than its first half but it still lacks the punch we expected which I believe was because of its two lead actors...good but not great. The finale is also good but not great. Unfortunately for Raghavan and Sethupathi, Sujoy Ghosh and Jaideep Ahlawat already gave us a power packed climax with a similar vibe in his role as teacher in last year's Jaane Jaan.

I would still recommend the movie with a simple caution as indicated above.... Dont expect an Andhadhun.... Dont even expect a Jaane Jaan.... Expect a slow burn murder mystery and I mean SLOW. If the movie was 15-20 mins shorter with a less restrained Sethupathi and slightly wilder Katrina, we could have got something closer to Andhadhun. Good but not great. 7.5/10.

Total waste of Time

[stylishsaad · 1/10 · 13 March 2024]

This is an abysmal attempt at filmmaking, epitomizing everything wrong with unoriginality in cinema. From the very start, it's evident that the filmmakers lacked any semblance of creativity, shamelessly copying concepts and details from better works without adding anything new or meaningful.

The movie shamelessly plagiarizes plotlines and character arcs from renowned classics, offering nothing but a watered-down version of stories audiences have seen countless times before. Every scene feels like a cheap imitation, devoid of the passion and depth that makes a film memorable.

Moreover, the execution is amateurish at best, with sloppy editing, uninspired cinematography, and performances that range from wooden to cringe-worthy. It's evident that the production was rushed, resulting in a final product that feels unfinished and unpolished.

Even worse is the film's mishandling of what could have been a compelling story. Despite having a strong plot foundation to work with, the filmmakers fail to capitalize on its potential, delivering a disjointed and unsatisfying narrative that leaves audiences feeling underwhelmed and frustrated.

In conclusion, Merry Christmas is a prime example of everything that can go wrong in filmmaking. With its copied concept, copied details, unprofessional execution, and disastrous response to a promising story plot, it's a movie that should be avoided at all costs. Save your time and money for something truly original and worthwhile.

Irony. Coincidence.

[mumbhaaai · 8/10 · 8 March 2024]

Raghavan has a signature style yet doesn't. His movies have a remarkable way of paying homage to retro cinema while keeping the story telling intact. The opening scene, in fact, is two different timelines.

Irony: Albert, who has served a 7 year sentence for murdering his girlfriend, coincidentally meets a lady, Maria who is planning to murder her husband.

Irony: For Albert to tell Maria "Sometimes, Violence is better than Sacrifice. Only sometimes." And at the end Sacrificing himself for the murder she committed, while she chose Violence.

Irony: Albert going to jail for the second time, only this time around he is trying to save his newfound girlfriend, Maria, while previously, he went to jail for murdering his girlfriend, Rosie.

Irony: Giving his ring to Maria, to protect her, also signifying he has perhaps gotten over her prior girlfriend.

Irony: Gifting the bird in a cage on a Christmas eve to Maria's daughter, Annie, and perhaps being the bird in the cage himself.

While the execution looks a bit outdated, this may be a deliberate attempt on Raghavan's part to somehow make the story telling retro. Or perhaps this was a miss due to the bilingual efforts and resources were working on a different priority, I don't know. While the twist in the movie is not a moment, the goal of the movie is not the twist, rather a tale of coincidences and irony.

We often judge people by their acts, not by their circumstances. Albert has the capacity for Violence and the capacity for Sacrifice, depending upon the circumstances and his emotions at that point in time. We do notice this in Badlapur as well, another movie by Raghavan, that shows two characters going through change over a course of time. Just like Badlapur was not about Revenge, it was about change, Merry Christmas is not about the twist, rather it's perhaps also about change.

If you like reading books, have an eye for detail and enjoy studying human behavior, you will be intrigued by the story telling of this movie.

Underwhelming but still worth a watch

[cableanna · 7/10 · 17 January 2024]

It was good and deserves a watch but didn't have that Sriram Raghavan wow factor. Plus, is that how the French novel ends? I didn't see it as an open-ended climax. I saw it as an incomplete ending. Was Albert in love with Maria? I didn't get that feeling. I assumed that he was helping her out of his own goodness. I thought he didn't want to burn the teddy bear and someone's wallet because he is a good person who had killed someone in a fit of rage. Also, when the police inspects the gun in the husband's hand, it contains all the bullets. There should be one missing, right? The one that was fired. Am I missing something? Still a good slow burn movie. The film looks good, it is slow in the beginning but keeps you engaged until the end once the actual plot starts but it is less thrilling and than his previous films. Nothing too edge-of-your-seat, clever or mindblowing stuff or anything which makes you think hard or leaves you guessing. Katrina Kaif, Vijay Sethupathi are charming and everyone plays their parts well. The background score is fantastic and does the job of making it seem like something important is happening or being revealed but the crescendo itself leaves you underwhelmed because you expect something mindblowing to have happened or to have been revealed. Honestly, the film somewhat underwhelmed me.

That ending deserved a better film.

[chand-suhas · 4/10 · 8 March 2024]

Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) is out on parole, after spending 7 years in prison. He returns to his home, where his uncle informs him about the death of his mother couple of years ago. It's Christmas eve and Albert tries to roam around the city by himself and at a restaurant he meets Maria (Katrina Kaif) and her mute child. After leaving, he once again meets them at a movie theater and Albert offers to walk her back home. As they get to know each other, they are shocked to find Maria's dead husband Jerome. Albert doesn't want to get involved in this mess and leaves. Next day, he finds Maria again with Ronnie (Sanjay Kapoor). Surprised at her demeanour, he joins them to drop her off at her apartment, only to find no traces of her dead husband. What happened to Jerome and what is Maria's endgame here forms rest of the story.

Merry Christmas definitely starts off on a decent note and I warmed up to Vijay Sethupathi's Hindi accent too. But the narrative though slow, failed to build the intrigue and that directly affected the film's flow. The performances are decent with Katrina Kaif standing out as Maria but the writing was not upto the mark. The cops arrive late and try to bring in some humor and that climax at the police station is not only well set up but well executed. If the narrative was not so bland, especially in the second act, Merry Christmas definitely would've turned out to be a lot better.

Darkly comic noir with romance all over it

[Jithindurden · 7/10 · 15 January 2024]

As the only theatre playing the Hindi version didn't have any more screenings since Sunday because not even five people were showing up for the screenings, I finally chose to watch it in Tamil. Even though the film is totally reshot in Tamil with a completely new caste except for the main leads, so many of Katrina's close-ups clearly show her inability to lipsync her dubbing properly was really distracting. Otherwise, her performance was really good and probably one of the best she'd done yet.

The movie is a darkly comic noir with romance all over it, in a style that is uniquely Sriram Raghavan's. Even though, for some the movie may start slow, from the very beginning it gives us bits and pieces of information. By the time the two leads properly meet, we can sense there's some mystery, something amiss about both of them. There were so many tidbits of information spread over the course of the first half that were very obviously some clues for the viewers that I made sure to take note of to remember. It all made sense afterwards but I think for someone with a real detective mind, the mystery would have been easier to solve.

I enjoyed the whole movie but I had some trouble with the characters and their choices, then the ending happened and it made total sense at that moment and the experience became more satisfactory. Without that ending, the movie wouldn't have been the same for me.

I do have some curiosity on what's the small differences in the Hindi version. The scenes with police must be where it differs more because this had Radhika Sarathkumar and Hindi had Vinay Pathak in similar roles.

There were also many Tamil classic movie and song references here and some of them I could recognise that it must be a reference but don't know exactly what it is. So, the Hindi version must have Hindi movie references, I guess. The love for old Bombay is also very apparent. I wish I was more familiar with those aspects.