Stolen 2024 Movie Review – Netflix

Watching a film that steadily escalates before your eyes is always a treat. Karan Tejpal’s debut, “Stolen” (2023), executes this with precision, seamlessly transitioning from a tense whodunit to a full-throttle thriller, hitting the accelerator at just the right moment.

Dark, exhilarating, and unapologetically critical of a society plagued by stark socioeconomic disparities and misinformation, “Stolen” paints a damning picture where both the working class and the elite are vulnerable to the same dangers.

The opening sets the stage perfectly, juxtaposing two worlds: Jhumpa (Mia Maelzer) cradling her baby at a railway station, and Gautam (Abhishek Banerjee), the affluent yuppie, reclining in his car awaiting his brother’s arrival for a wedding.

Gautam, embodying a Michael Douglas-esque indifference to the struggles of the working class, finds himself embroiled in a complex web of child abduction rings and corrupt institutions when Jhumpa falsely accuses his brother Raman (Shubham) of stealing her baby.

As the plot unfolds, revealing intricate backstories and Jhumpa’s troubled past, “Stolen” thrives on its unexpected twists, surprises, and moments of visceral violence. Tejpal’s adept direction, honed through his experience as a second-unit director in Bollywood, shines through, particularly in crafting intricate crowd sequences that pulse with tension and danger.

The film masterfully portrays the darker side of mob mentality, fueled by misinformation rampant on platforms like WhatsApp, leading to panic, violence, and rampant Islamophobia. Isshaan Ghosh’s documentary-style cinematography adds to the film’s palpable sense of urgency, seamlessly blending handheld shots with breathtaking tracking and crane shots.

While “Stolen” may not boast a lavish budget, its clever use of resources ensures that every penny is well-spent, delivering captivating visuals and pulse-pounding action sequences. Far from its generic streaming title, “Stolen” transcends expectations, offering a gripping thriller intertwined with profound social commentary on modern-day India’s pressing issues.