Netflix’s Ctrl takes viewers on a wild ride through the intersection of social media fame, AI, and the darker side of influencer culture. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwani, the film stars Ananya Panday and Vihan Samat as Nella and Joe, a couple whose lives take a drastic turn after years of success in the content creation world.
A Promising Start
The film begins with a fast-paced introduction, immersing us in the couple’s digital world. Nella and Joe are thriving as social media influencers, raking in millions of subscribers and brand deals. In the first nine minutes, we are shown the highs of their digital fame, followed by the sudden crash when Nella becomes a meme and the trolls swoop in. This early momentum is a highlight of the movie, and the performances of Ananya Panday and Vihan Samat set the tone for what feels like an engaging, modern-day tale of life in the spotlight.
Performances: Standout Acting by Ananya Panday and Vihan Samat
Ananya Panday delivers a standout performance as Nella, bringing depth and emotion to her character. This is not her first strong showing—she was equally impressive in Kah—and here, she embodies the Gen Z mindset with ease. Vihan Samat complements her well, with his monologue towards the end being particularly moving. His shift in tone and body language during this scene elevates the film’s emotional weight.
A Cautionary Tale About AI and Social Media
At its core, Ctrl explores a future where AI can manipulate our digital personas, blurring the lines between reality and technology. The film delves into themes that are becoming increasingly relevant as our reliance on social media grows. With AI evolving and our data more accessible than ever, Ctrl acts as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers lurking in our digital footprints.
Where the Film Falls Short
While the first half of Ctrl is well-paced and engaging, the second half falters. Much of the story unfolds through screens—phones, laptops, and cameras—and this over-reliance on the digital interface detracts from the emotional gravity of the narrative. Movies like Searching have handled the “told through screens” concept more effectively, balancing screen time with real-world action. Here, the lack of balance diminishes the impact of the conspiracy at the heart of the story.
The central conspiracy, while intriguing, feels underwhelming. It’s something that many viewers may already be aware of in the back of their minds—AI, deepfakes, and the potential misuse of data aren’t exactly groundbreaking revelations anymore. This familiarity makes the conspiracy feel less impactful, and by the time Nella realizes what’s happening, the audience may already feel disconnected.
Writing and Direction: A Mixed Bag
The writing and editing in Ctrl are slick, especially in the early stages, with the filmmakers doing an excellent job of setting the stage for Nella and Joe’s world in a short amount of time. However, the second half loses steam, with the narrative dragging as the story leans too heavily on the digital format.
Sumukhi Suresh’s dialogues are a bright spot, capturing Gen Z slang and tone perfectly. The casual yet poignant writing reflects the characters’ realities, adding authenticity to their interactions.
Final Thoughts: Is Ctrl Worth Watching?
Despite its flaws, Ctrl is still an engaging watch, especially if you’re interested in tech thrillers and the intersection of AI and social media. The film doesn’t leave a lasting impact, but not every movie needs to. If you enjoyed Ctrl, you might also want to check out the short film Influencer Life on Amazon Prime’s Mini TV, which shares similar themes and may have inspired elements of Ctrl.
Overall, Ctrl is a cautionary tale that explores timely topics with strong performances, but it struggles to maintain momentum in its second half. Nevertheless, it’s worth watching for its reflection on our digital age.
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p.s. The above post is written with the help of AI using the transcript of my video review above.