Set in 1980s Bombay, “Merry Christmas” revolves around Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) and Maria (Katrina Kaif), two strangers. They’re both haunted and united by past circumstances, crossing paths like two ships passing in the night. One is a kindly baker who spreads smiles on Christmas Eve with fresh-baked goods and a mum to a mute daughter. The other’s an architect returning home, instantly smitten by his enigmatic confidante. However, love makes one view the world through a rose-tinted lens. While it’s all sherry and dancing initially, what goes up must come down and their brief honeymoon period comes to and end. An unwelcome surprise awaits the pair as they arrive to a cold corpse propped up in an armchair at Maria’s apartment. But the next minute, the corpse disappears. Was it an optical illusion or a Christmas miracle? Or is it a sign of discomforting secrets that will eventually tumble out?
“Merry Christmas” is an adaptation of the French novel “Bird in a Cage” by Frédéric Dard. Here, filmmaker Sriram Raghavan—known for his taut thrillers such as “Andhadhun,” “EK Hasina Thi,” and “Johnny Gaddaar”—weaves a tale of betrayal, infatuation, and sacrifice. Raghavan incorporates motifs that fit the inviting holiday aesthetic while simultaneously serving as hints at the twists ahead. These range from a photo carousel of smiling faces at Maria’s apartment that’s a façade for an unhappy home-life, and an amateur erotica novella penned by Albert under a pseudonym, suggesting he, too, is not the man he claims to be. Later, the disarmingly charming Albert indulges in fisticuffs with a drunkard who bumps into him, shattering the illusion of the quintessential nice guy. Gradually, more character traits are revealed; it’s not long before the colourful fairy lights and peppy music give way to sinister grey shades.
Like Raghavan’s previous outings, “Merry Christmas” deserves praise for subverting the tropes associated with pulpy noirs, such as femme fatales who are well-fleshed out and sympathetic rather than one-dimensional. With regards to Maria’s characterisation, she is vulnerable to the unwanted advances of sly men who hide their wedding rings in her presence and are compulsive cheaters. Trapped in a bird cage, she wishes to fly away like a free bird or one of the many origami swans that adorn her apartment.
The score by Pritam adds to the aura and charm of the movie, with ballads and a catchy title track complementing its seasonal vibe, and the escalating crescendos further heightening the suspense. It also features a few retro Hindi songs with lyrics that serve as clever foreshadowing.
Katrina Kaif is a Surprise Package
“Merry Christmas” does suffer from a final act that drags, which is not entirely a new issue in a Sriram Raghavan directorial. The aforementioned “Andhadhun” also felt never-ending in its conclusion and as a result, nearly lost its steam.
Katrina Kaif is a surprise package as the scheming and poised, occasionally mischievous Maria and this sublime performance, which harkens to her work in “New York.” The character of Maria is polished and one of her finest yet. Raghavan utilises the actress’s beauty and arresting screen presence to the fullest here, almost as if Maria was tailor-made for Kaif.
A Warped, Neo-Noir Whodunit
Co-star Vijay Sethupathi doesn’t play second fiddle either, complementing Kaif with his own charm and charisma. He is believable as the delightful, sophisticated, yet simultaneously intimidating anti-hero. The movie offers a glimpse of the actor’s comedic side too, especially in scenes of Albert narrating bedtime stories to Maria’s daughter and miming through exaggerated hand movements. Kaif and Sethupathi’s immaculate chemistry is yet another highlight. Vinay Pathak is deserving of a mention as investigating inspector Paresh, although his character required more screen-time and development. The movie also features cameos from familiar faces from Raghavan’s earlier works, and I don’t just mean the piano keys from “Andhadhun.”
Overall, “Merry Christmas” is a warped neo noir whodunit neatly wrapped in a bow for fans of the genre. Due to the keen attention to detail and various bread crumbs sprinkled around, it also beckons viewers to return to the scene of the crime once more, thus meriting a rewatch.
“Merry Christmas” is currently available globally on Netflix.
