For every actor, there’s a role that unleashes their untapped talents and changes their career. That might be the case with Vikrant Massey’s latest psychopathic killer in Netflix’s “Section 36.” While Messi has played his fair share of negative roles in the past, this time his on-screen role is enough to send shivers down your spine. In this Netflix original, which tells a fictional story based on the true events of the 2006 Noida serial murders, the actor plays Prem Singh, a predator who is behind the mysterious disappearance of several children in the titular Sector 36 slum.
With a disturbing sense of pride and fascination, he preyed on his victims, skillfully dismembering them, engaging in necrophilia, and sometimes feasting on their remains without flinching. If anything, these carnal acts brought him catharsis, prompting the psychopath into a celebratory trance. In one scene we see him lying on a couch, reveling in the satisfaction of successfully massacring a woman after she failed to reciprocate his romantic feelings.
Deepak Dobiryal plays a corrupt cop who later changes his mind and becomes involved in the case
Macy’s portrayal of a pedophile cannibal is one of the most brilliant and disturbing performances you’ll see in recent years. The veteran actor captures the most subtle twitches and muscle movements of a pathological killer with disturbing flair. Even his most horrific actions are punctuated by moments of immense satisfaction and disturbing indifference. Massey University’s Prem Singh works as a helper in a businessman’s house. If you know anything about the real-life Nitali case, you won’t be surprised that the movie implicated the homeowner in the heinous crime. Precinct 36 characterized the murders as part of a larger organ trafficking ring. But for Messi’s character, these actions are not just him following the orders of his boss, but a crime of passion that keeps him sane: and Messi plays the role of this sick bastard perfectly.
The film is inspired by the infamous and gruesome Nitali case, which shocked the entire country and pushed India to a dark point internationally. More than 16 children and women were sexually abused, murdered, served on plates or thrown into sewers.
The Netflix version wastes no time in providing detailed context and building suspense. Within the first ten minutes we witness necrophilia, the bloody mutilation of body parts, and bags of meat floating down the drain. We know Messi is the culprit and he is destined to be caught. The title sequence appears as a stream of blood flows down a rotting toilet bowl, setting the tone for the next few gory scenes. We see organs being packed and sent like packages, with rows of rotting skulls on display, femurs floating in gutters and more.
The cinematography of Area 36 is pretty impressive
Deepak Dobriyal stars as a corrupt police officer who becomes serious about the mysterious disappearance of children from a slum after a tragedy strikes his family. Thus begins his journey to uncover the truth and bring the culprits to justice, although the police department remains reluctant to do more.
However, the film does not cover the exhaustive investigation behind the case, nor the extensive organ trafficking network associated with it. Dobrial’s shallow dig into the truth is that the trafficking part is contained in no more than three scenes in a seedy clinic that is the center of the organ trade. The film also cleverly avoids the judicial aspects of the case, possibly because even after 17 years of lengthy court proceedings, the criminals remain at large.
Aditya Nimbalkar’s film attempts to keep the focus primarily on the killer’s twisted psyche without delving into other aspects. While it is understandable that Nimbalka would want to pick a single aspect, a brief concluding narrative of the court’s final decision might have been better. Perhaps the debut director wanted to avoid a disappointing ending to his film with a hopeful ending.
Akash Khurana’s character is based on Moninder Singh Pandher, one of the suspects in the Nitali case
Not for nothing the film depicts heinous acts such as necrophilia, pedophilia and cannibalism. Beyond the gory visuals and suggestive background score, Macy’s masterful delivery and body language prove powerful storytelling tools, making the film even more impactful. The sparkle in his eyes where a body lies, or the way he looks over a bound toddler, captures the horror of the act he’s about to commit. Bodhayan Roychaudhury’s deft writing and fiery dialogues add further nuance to the story. The subject is handled with the care and sensitivity these events deserve, avoiding tasteless and sensationalistic exploitation while still conveying their inhumanity.
The film also features Saurabh Goswami’s impressive cinematography, which incorporates a wealth of visual metaphors and symmetrical frame compositions that add depth to the story. There is a particularly amusing scene in which Messi confesses his crime to a policeman who is an equal distance from him on camera. It’s hard to ignore the depth the frame brings to the table, aside from, of course, the chilling performances from Messi and Dobrial.
Were it not for the dark subject matter, you’d be forgiven for comparing the framing in Area 36 to Wes Anderson’s signature symmetry. While footage from Anderson’s quirky films conveys a playful storybook aesthetic, here it works to off-putting effect.
Sector 36 offers a plethora of visually stunning frames
Lighting and visual metaphors also function as storytelling elements. Different emotions are depicted in different tones that are sure to grab the attention of avid movie buffs. Rotating shots of circular staircases are accompanied by moments of mind-bending mystery, masked exhibits provide a backdrop for hateful criminals masquerading as respectable members of society, and the abduction of Goddess Sita by Ravana at Ramlila Bazaar comes shortly after the abduction of slum children. Even The Slaughterhouse has a soundtrack in the form of Lata Mangeshkar’s “Man Kyoon Behka Re Behka Aadhi Raat Ko”, which translates to wandering mind in the middle of the night.
Nimbalkar’s masterful portrayal of Nitali’s case strikes a perfect balance between fact and fiction, avoiding the pitfalls of a dry documentary style. The film maintains the charm of the film while staying true to real events, evoking a sense of horror and unease that will leave you shaken. It successfully combines the power of a great script, thoughtful cinematography and chilling performances to create a compelling narrative that will stick with you. Messi’s outstanding performance is particularly eye-catching and is expected to push his career to new heights. By deftly weaving these elements together, Nimbarka has crafted a film that leaves a lasting and disturbing impact on the viewer.
Rating: 7.5/10
