Esha Murder: Karmaphal (2025) [Movie Review] – A Dark Thriller Elevated by Azmeri Haque Badhan

Esha Murder: Karmaphal is a noir-tinged, true-inspired psychological thriller from director Sunny Sanwar that seeks to marry a procedural murder hunt with a broader critique of sexual violence and institutional failure. Released theatrically during Eid-ul-Adha and landing on OTT (Binge) on July 31 after a brief postponement, the film positions itself as both a gripping whodunit and a moral interrogation of complicity.

Premise & Plot

Valentine’s Day killchain and a city’s buried secrets

The story opens with a body found on February 14 — the day after Valentine’s Day — and slowly exposes a string of murders linked by prior sexual assault or abuse. The narrative’s central mystery — revenge, a deterrent, or a serial killer’s crusade — gives the film an urgent, topical backbone. Sunny Sanwar prefers restraint over melodrama, letting investigative beats and social context do the heavy lifting rather than leaning on spectacle.

Performance Highlights

Azmeri Haque Badhan delivers a layered turn

Azmeri Haque Badhan is the film’s strongest asset. As Officer Lina, she balances vulnerability and steely resolve, crafting a performance that resists cliché and feels earned — a portrayal that female viewers and practitioners in law enforcement have especially praised. The supporting ensemble (Puja Agnes Cruze, Misha Sawdagor, Sushama Sarker, Shatabdi Wadud, Faruque Ahmed and others) offers solid contributions; Misha and Faruque add texture where the script allows. That said, several secondary characters feel underwritten and could have been used more effectively to complicate the investigation.

Direction & Writing

Ambitious ideas, uneven execution

Sunny Sanwar’s shift from broad action to psychological terrain is commendable; he treats sensitive subject matter with care and avoids sensationalism. The film’s interrogation of systemic indifference and survivor trauma is its moral core. Yet the screenplay occasionally sacrifices narrative clarity for thematic weight. Pacing lags in stretches, and procedural details are sometimes sketched rather than explored, which reduces the mystery’s payoff. The restraint that benefits the film’s tone also limits its dramatic surprises — moments that should land with emotional force instead feel muted.

If you want to watch Bangladeshi movies for free, click on HDMovie365 now

Technicals & Atmosphere

Noir visuals and taut soundscape keep tension alive

Cinematography, editing, and score largely support the film’s grim mood: tight frames, dim urban palettes, and well-placed silences amplify the sense of dread. Key murder sequences and interrogations sustain tension, and the film’s production design convincingly evokes the city’s shadowy corners. On a few occasions, however, the editing choices blunt momentum, stretching scenes longer than necessary.

Themes & Social Resonance

A film about accountability more than closure

Esha Murder’s strongest impulse is moral: it interrogates complicity, questions the mechanisms of justice, and centres survivors rather than sensationalising violence. That ethical focus makes the film relevant and necessary, even if it sometimes shortchanges a more satisfying procedural resolution. The postponement of its OTT premiere out of respect after a national tragedy is a reminder of the film’s real-world sensitivity.

Verdict

A thoughtful, imperfect thriller worth watching for the lead performance

Esha Murder: Karmaphal is an important entry in contemporary Bangladeshi crime cinema — anchored by Azmeri Haque Badhan’s rarely starker turn and driven by a socially conscious framework. While its restraint and moral ambition are commendable, the script’s uneven pacing, underused supporting roles, and occasional narrative ambiguity keep it from being fully satisfying as a thriller. Recommended for viewers who value character and theme over pure puzzle-solving.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Where to watch

Now streaming Esha Murder: Karmaphal on HDMovie365.com