Set in the quaint but chilly town of Buckinghamshire, The Buckingham Murders follows Jasmeet Bhamra (Kareena Kapoor Khan), a grieving mother and a detective, who is on a mission to solve the disappearance of a local child (Ishpreet), who is later found dead, eventually the case becoming a murder mystery. Having recently lost her son, Jasmeet’s loss weighs heavily on her as she delves into the unsettling investigation in Buckinghamshire.
What sets this film apart from a typical whodunit is its exploration of Jasmeet’s internal struggle. This isn’t just about solving a crime—it’s about dealing with grief, guilt, and the emotional toll of loss. The mystery of the missing child almost feels secondary to Jasmeet’s journey, which gives the film a depth you don’t often see in traditional thrillers.
Kareena Kapoor Khan: In Her Element
Bollywood’s Bebo has acting chops, but in The Buckingham Murders, she steps into a role that’s far more subdued and nuanced than her usual glamorous characters. Her portrayal of Jasmeet feels raw, real, and restrained. There’s no over-the-top drama here—just quiet, simmering emotion that pulls you into her world of pain and determination.
She carries the weight of the movie on her shoulders, and boy, does she carry it well. It’s almost like watching her in a Kate Winslet mode, especially reminiscent of Winslet’s performance in Mare of Easttown. Kareena nails that brutality straightforward detective vibe but also lets you see the vulnerability hiding beneath the tough exterior.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s restrained yet impactful performance is undoubtedly one of the film’s highlights. She doesn’t rely on melodrama to communicate her pain. Instead, it’s in her quiet moments—her expressions, her body language—that you truly feel the depth of her sorrow. This subdued approach is a refreshing change from the often exaggerated portrayals we see in Bollywood thrillers. Honestly, it’s one of her most mature performances to date.
Hansal Mehta’s Masterstroke
Hansal Mehta is known for giving us hard-hitting, realistic dramas, and The Buckingham Murders is no different. The atmosphere is heavy, drenched in melancholy, with a slow-burn pace that gives you time to soak in the emotional layers of the story.
What I loved about Mehta’s direction is how he uses the gloomy backdrop of Buckinghamshire to reflect Jasmeet’s inner turmoil. The grey skies, the rain-soaked streets, and the chilling winds all mirror her state of mind. The film’s cinematography is subtle but effective, never distracting from the story but enhancing the overall mood of despair and isolation.
The emotional complexity of the film is its biggest strength. It’s not just a murder mystery; it’s a character study of a woman battling her demons while trying to find justice for a missing child. Jasmeet is far from a superhero cop—she’s flawed, vulnerable, and deeply human. That makes her so much more relatable, and her emotional journey is something you can’t help but feel invested in.
The director has always had a knack for weaving realism into his films, and The Buckingham Murders is no exception. The dialogues are natural, the characters feel grounded, and the story unfolds in a way that feels genuine. There’s no forced happy ending, no unnecessary romantic angle—it’s a straightforward yet deeply layered narrative.
The Mystery Element
While I personally enjoy slow-burn thrillers, the pacing of The Buckingham Murders was a bit too sluggish for me. The film takes its time setting up the atmosphere and delving into Jasmeet’s psyche, but in doing so, it sometimes drags, especially in the middle sections.
Don’t get me wrong—the mystery at the heart of the story is engaging, but it sometimes takes a backseat to Jasmeet’s journey. While this worked for me, if you are coming and expecting a full-blown detective thriller might feel slightly underwhelmed by the lack of constant twists and turns. The film is more of a psychological exploration than a pulse-pounding murder mystery, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re in the mood for a dark, introspective thriller that dives deep into grief and personal loss, then The Buckingham Murders is worthy enough for you to go and spend some time. Kareena Kapoor Khan’s stellar performance and Hansal Mehta’s grounded direction make this film stand out from typical Bollywood mysteries.
While it may not have the fast-paced thrills some might expect, it more than makes up for it with its emotional depth and atmospheric storytelling. The Buckingham Murders isn’t just a murder mystery—it’s a haunting, thought-provoking film that lingers with you long after the credits roll.
