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JIGRA kicks off with an engaging setup but soon stumbles in pacing, particularly after Alia Bhatt's character meets Vedang Raina's. Despite this, Bhatt delivers one of her career-best performances, truly shining in the role of Satya. The film's technical aspects, from the background score to the cinematography, are top-notch, yet the screenplay doesn't keep up, making the runtime feel excessive. While it has its gripping moments, especially the pre-climax, JIGRA could have been a taut thriller but ends up as a stretched drama. A decent watch for the performances, but it could've been so much more with tighter editing.

"The Instigators" is a film that misses the mark in its execution. While it pretends to offer a fresh take on the heist genre with its comedic elements and Bostonian flavour, it fails to deliver a well-structured, engaging story. The plot is convoluted, the pacing is uneven, and the supporting characters are underdeveloped. Despite the best efforts of its stars, "The Instigators" fails to live up to its potential.

🌟 Summary

Positive Points:

1. Matt Damon and Casey Affleck's chemistry shines through, making their banter the highlight of the film.

2. The film offers a fun, if flawed, heist comedy experience.

3. The all-star cast adds to the film's appeal.

Negative Points:

1. The plot is convoluted and lacks intrigue.

2. The film suffers from inconsistent entertainment and a lack of better tonal control.

3. Supporting characters are underdeveloped, and the script fails to capitalise on the potential of its premise.

"The Watchers," directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, attempts to create a mysterious and chilling atmosphere reminiscent of Netflix's "Lore" and the acclaimed anthology series "Black Mirror." However, the film falls short of its aspirations, failing to maintain the intrigue and suspense established in its first half.

The premise is intriguing: a group of strangers, including protagonist Mina (Dakota Fanning), find themselves trapped in a mysterious forest, observed by nocturnal creatures known as the Watchers. The unknown nature of these creatures creates a sense of fear and tension, as both the characters and the audience know very little about them.

The first half of the film effectively utilizes this unknown factor, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the mystery surrounding the Watchers. The cinematography and sound design contribute to the eerie atmosphere, enhancing the sense of dread and unease.

However, as the film progresses, the narrative takes a turn for the worse. The second half fails to capitalize on the initial suspense, opting instead for a more conventional and less effective approach to storytelling. The Watchers are revealed to be less mysterious and more mundane, and the film loses its grip on the audience's attention.

The film's tone and narrative style, reminiscent of "Black Mirror" and "Lore," are not consistently maintained throughout the film. While the first half shows promise with its mysterious atmosphere and thought-provoking themes, the second half falls flat, leaving the audience with a sense of disappointment.

The characters, with the exception of the old lady Madeline (played by Olwen Fouéré), are underdeveloped and lack depth. Their one-dimensional backstories and bland performances do little to engage the audience, especially in a film that should be centered around survival against all odds.

Overall, "The Watchers" had the potential to be a great thriller but ultimately falls flat due to its inability to maintain the mystery and suspense established in the first half. The film's failure to maintain the tone and narrative style of "Black Mirror" and "Lore" is a stark reminder that even the most intriguing ideas can crumble under the weight of poor execution. As a result, "The Watchers" earns a disappointing 2-star rating.