‘Baramulla’ Review: Manav Kaul Delivers a Haunting Thriller Steeped in History and Unresolved Grief
Beyond the Jump Scare: Kashmir’s Traumatic Past Becomes the Real Monster
Netflix’s latest Hindi original, ‘Baramulla’, is far more than the supernatural thriller its trailers suggest. Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale (known for Article 370), the film uses the chilling mystery of missing children in the snow-clad Kashmir Valley to open up a deeply-felt, historical wound—the trauma of the Kashmiri Pandit exodus. Starring a masterful Manav Kaul as a conflicted police officer, the movie is an atmospheric, slow-burn psychological journey that favors historical dread over cheap thrills.
‘Baramulla’ premiered on Netflix on November 7, 2025, and has quickly generated discussion for its ambitious blend of horror, police procedural, and socio-political commentary.
The Plot and Pacing: A Tense Investigation
The film introduces us to DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul), a newly transferred officer in Baramulla still carrying the guilt and emotional scars of a previous failed operation. He is immediately plunged into a perplexing case: children are disappearing without a trace, leaving behind only an unsettling lock of scissor-cut hair.
Simultaneously, Ridwaan’s family—his wife, Gulnaar (Bhasha Sumbli), and their children—begin experiencing inexplicable, eerie phenomena in their new, dilapidated colonial-era house. The atmosphere is thick with dread, with the beautiful, desolate landscape of Kashmir acting as an unnerving silent character.
The Ghosts of the Past
The true strength of ‘Baramulla’ lies in its deliberate, patient construction of two parallel narratives: Ridwaan’s grounded, police-centric investigation and his family’s terrifying encounters with the supernatural. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the entities haunting his home are not random spirits, but echoes of a profound tragedy. The narrative deftly ties the present-day disappearances to a decades-old massacre and the painful, forced displacement of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the 1990s.
The supernatural elements are used as a potent metaphor for unresolved collective guilt and historical anguish. The horror is rooted not in special effects, but in the recognition of real-world suffering and the idea that some memories are too painful to stay buried.
Performance and Direction: Kaul’s Quiet Brilliance
Manav Kaul is the emotional bedrock of the film. His portrayal of DSP Ridwaan is a study in restrained intensity. He conveys volumes through his exhausted eyes and measured silences—a man torn between his professional duty, the skepticism of his rational mind, and the need to protect his family from an invisible yet deeply personal threat. It is one of Kaul’s most complex and quietly powerful performances to date.
Bhasha Sumbli shines as Gulnaar, providing the emotional anchor for the family, embodying the quiet resilience of a woman struggling to hold her loved ones together amidst chaos both domestic and regional.
Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale, following his previous success, shows a clear, mature vision. He refuses to resort to typical horror tropes, instead focusing on creating an oppressive atmosphere. The cinematography is stunning, capturing Kashmir’s winter with a bleak, cold palette that mirrors the story’s emotional core.
SEO Keywords and Verdict
| Category | Keywords |
| Film & Genre | Baramulla movie review, Netflix supernatural thriller, Manav Kaul, Aditya Suhas Jambhale |
| Themes | Kashmir conflict, historical trauma, Kashmiri Pandit exodus, psychological thriller, emotional depth |
| Rating | Baramulla film rating, must-watch Netflix India original |
Final Verdict
‘Baramulla’ is a compelling, mature piece of cinema that operates on multiple levels. While its initial pacing is notably slow and might test the patience of viewers expecting a traditional horror flick, the deliberate build-up culminates in a powerful and emotionally devastating climax. The film’s strength lies in its ability to fuse the chilling reality of a socio-political crisis with a genuinely haunting supernatural narrative. It demands emotional attention and thought, offering a profound reflection on loss, exile, and the heavy price of history.
A cinematic prayer for memory that is more heartbreaking than terrifying, making it a highly recommended watch.