Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders (2025) [Movie Review] — A Measured, Morally Charged Whodunit

Five years after the original, Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders opens on a chilling scene: the influential Bansal family is wiped out in their home. Inspector Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is called in to re-examine what most want closed quickly. The film unfolds less as a classic “whodunit” than an excavation of motives, privilege, and the corrosive effects of power—a procedural that asks not only who committed the crime, but why a community tolerated the rot beneath its surface.

Direction & Screenplay: Ambition tempered by restraint

Honey Trehan aims for breadth; Smita Singh supplies layered motives

Director Honey Trehan expands the canvas from the intimate tension of the first film to a multi-layered investigation. The screenplay by Smita Singh intelligently flips a familiar device: we’re often clued into facts early, so the drama becomes psychological and moral rather than purely revelatory. This choice is bold and, largely, rewarding—yet the film’s pacing and occasional narrative indulgence blunt the urgency that a story of this scale needs to consistently deliver.

Performances: Siddiqui’s quiet gravity anchors the film

A masterclass in underplayed intensity

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is the film’s beating heart. He makes Jatil an observant, inward force—measured, weary, and morally resolute—bringing nuance to a character who could easily have become archetypal. Radhika Apte’s Radha offers emotional ballast, and veterans like Deepti Naval, Ila Arun, and Rajat Kapoor add texture and authority. Chitrangada Singh’s Meera and other supporting players are compelling, though a handful of secondary roles feel under-explored, which is more a screenplay limitation than a casting one.

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Technical Craft: Atmosphere over spectacle

Gritty visuals and steady sound design suit a muted thriller

Technically, the film favors a naturalistic palette—dusty interiors, dim corridors, and tight framing accentuate suspicion and claustrophobia. The score and sound design steer clear of melodrama, letting silence and small noises become instruments of tension. For a film rooted in mood, these choices mostly work; they build an immersive environment even when plot momentum ebbs.

Pacing & Tension: Thoughtful but occasionally languid

Intriguing revelations, but the thermostat rarely spikes

Where the movie earns points for intelligence, it loses some for momentum. At 136 minutes, the narrative often sifts through details with meticulous care, but suspense seldom reaches a sustained fever pitch. Key turns and character revelations land, yet the film’s restraint sometimes reads as muted energy: an investigative tone that’s contemplative rather than edge-of-your-seat.

Themes & Impact: Power, class, and truth-seeking

A social thriller that probes who gets protected, and why

Beyond the procedural, The Bansal Murders is interested in systems—how wealth shields, how reputations are manufactured, and how truth becomes collateral damage. The film’s moral focus elevates it above many formulaic thrillers; it wants the viewer to think about accountability, not just clues.

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Final Verdict: 6.5/10 — A sincere, imperfect sequel

Strong performances and thematic weight, tempered by uneven pacing

Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders is a respectful, ambitious follow-up that benefits immensely from Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s disciplined lead and a screenplay that favors motive over mere surprise. While it may lack the unrelenting tension of the best thrillers, its moral seriousness and solid craftsmanship make it a worthwhile watch—especially for those who appreciate a crime film that trades spectacle for reflection.