Baramulla – A Deep Dive Netflix Movie Review

Introduction

“Baramulla” is a 2025 Hindi-language film directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and produced by Aditya Dhar, Lokesh Dhar and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios & B62 Studios. (Wikipedia) It stars Manav Kaul as DSP Ridwaan Sayyed, alongside Bhasha Sumbli, Arista Mehta, Rohaan Singh and others. (Wikipedia) The film released on OTT via Netflix on 7 November 2025. (India Today)

It sets itself as a supernatural thriller, rooted in the haunting terrain of Kashmir’s valley — specifically in and around the town of Baramulla. The premise: a string of child disappearances, an old house that harbours unnerving occurrences, a transferred police officer grappling with personal and professional demons — all wrapped in the atmospheric setting of the valley and infused with socio-political undertones. (Netflix Junkie)

In this review, I’ll break down the film’s story, its strengths, its weaknesses, the performances, the technical aspects, and then conclude with who might enjoy it (and why) and who might find it wanting.

Story & Narrative Structure

The film opens with a chilling incident: a magic show in a snow-covered town in Kashmir, where a young boy, Shoaib Ansari (Ahmad Ishaq), disappears in broad daylight during a “vanishing” trick. That becomes the catalyst. The local MLA’s son goes missing → enters DSP Ridwaan Sayyed (Manav Kaul) who is newly posted and moves with his family into an eerie old mansion in Baramulla. (Bollywood Hungama)

As the investigation deepens, the film oscillates between:

• The haunted house sequences (kids hearing noises, smelling dogs in rooms, shadowy figures) (Cinema Express)
• The police procedural side: Ridwaan’s investigation, missing children, militants, political overtones. (India Today)
• Family drama: Ridwaan’s relationship with his wife and children, the family’s adaptation to the new life, and what the house is doing to them. (Cinema Express)

The structure attempts a genre-blend: part horror, part mystery, part social commentary. As some reviewers note:

“It is a crime investigation, a family drama, a revenge story. At one moment, it feels like a mystery, the next like a thriller, and then takes an unexpected emotional turn.” (Rediff)

However, the shift from one mode to another is not always smooth: the film spends significant time building atmosphere, but when it pushes toward revealing higher stakes or political implications, the narrative sometimes falters. For example, the climax is described by Scroll.in as:

“After dithering about for far too long, Baramulla finally snaps into shape in the extended climax.” (Scroll.in)

Thus, the storytelling is ambitious — seeking to link the supernatural to the real-world trauma of Kashmir — but arguably overextended in places.

Strengths

1. Atmosphere & Setting
One of the standout elements of Baramulla is how it uses Kashmir — not just as a backdrop, but almost as a character. The snow-covered valley, the wooden houses, the sense of isolation: these visuals enhance the mood and help create an eerie, haunting tone. (Scroll.in)

Manav Kaul himself said:

“It’s not loud horror, it’s the kind that creeps up on you, where silence feels heavier than sound.” (www.ndtv.com)

2. Performances
Manav Kaul delivers a commanding presence as Ridwaan — he’s believable as a conflicted cop, and the emotional undercurrents he carries (especially given his personal ties to Kashmir) bring weight. India Today says:

“Manav Kaul delivers one of his most haunting performances yet in ‘Baramulla’ … the horror lies in grief, memory and the pain of exile.” (India Today)

Supporting cast, including Bhasha Sumbli and the child actors, also add layers of vulnerability and tension.

3. Visuals, Cinematography & Production Values
Critics note the film is “good-looking” — Arnold Fernandes’ cinematography, the production design, the way the house and landscape are framed, all contribute to the mood of foreboding. (Bollywood Hungama)

4. Unique Blend / Intent
It is commendable that the film attempts to integrate the region’s socio-political realities with a genre story. Bollywood Hungama calls it:

“A rare, one-of-its-kind film that fuses supernatural elements with the reality of Kashmir.” (Bollywood Hungama)

This ambition — to go beyond pure horror or thriller and say something about memory, loss, identity — is a strength in itself.

Weaknesses

1. Tone & Pacing Issues
While the early part of the film sets up atmosphere well, many feel the pacing drags, or that the tonal shifts are jarring. Firstpost observes:

“The first hour of the film is convincing, but the latter part … gets boring and repetitive after a certain point.” (Firstpost)

Similarly, some reviewers feel that the investigation thread and the supernatural thread don’t always merge seamlessly, leaving moments where it feels disjointed.

2. Narrative Overload / Lack of Nuance
Despite the good intentions, the film’s narrative occasionally falls into simplification when dealing with Kashmir’s complexities. CinemaExpress writes:

“History appears in selective bits and pieces as a populist ideology driven narrative unfolds.” (Cinema Express)

The mixture of militants, supernatural forces, missing children, haunted house tropes and political commentary sometimes feels overstuffed — the breadth of themes perhaps comes at the cost of depth in some.

3. Under-utilised Characters & Emotional Investment
Though Manav’s performance is strong, there are signals that his emotional arc could have been sharper. CinemaExpress says his presence begins to feel like an after-thought. (Cinema Express) Some characters (like the wife, children, or the militants) don’t always register as fully realised, which dulls the emotional punch.

4. Horror Execution
For a film that markets itself as a supernatural thriller, some critics feel the horror elements are conventional or under-played. Rediff comments:

“Jambhale skillfully employs old-school horror… but the familiar mix of cello strings and jump-scares reduce the thrill.” (Rediff)

Thus, if you’re expecting high-decibel scares, you may be disappointed — the horror here is more atmospheric and symbolic.

Themes & Subtext

Loss, Memory & Exile
One of the more resonant themes is how the film explores the idea of a homeland lost, of identities disrupted, of trauma passed across generations. India Today highlights this:

“The horror here is not imagined; it’s historical. The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits … remains a wound that refuses to heal.” (India Today)

Nature & Space as Witness
The valley isn’t neutral — it watches, it holds secrets. The creaking floorboards, the snow, the dark rooms all contribute to a sense of place carrying memory and menace.

The Interplay of Real and Unreal
The film attempts to blur the lines between supernatural horror and human horror — between the ghostly and the politically charged. That interplay is central: what is truly ‘haunting’ may not be a spirit but the past that refuses to be buried.

Police, Power and Accountability
Through the investigation into child disappearances, the film touches on institutional inertia, political complicity, the intersection of occupation, identity and agency. Some critics feel the film doesn’t fully unpack this, but the attempt is present.

Technical Aspects

• Cinematography (Arnold Fernandes): Strong, especially in establishing mood, handling the snow, the interiors of the haunted house, the valley vistas. (Bollywood Hungama)
• Production Design & Costumes: Authentic, grounded, especially in smaller details of Kashmiri life and the environment. (Bollywood Hungama)
• Editing & Sound Design: The film uses silence and ambient sound effectively, though some feel the editing could have been tighter in the second half. The sound palette plays a big role in the haunting tone.
• Music & Score: The background score is better regarded than the songs. The mood setting is consistent but not standout. (Bollywood Hungama)
• Direction & Screenplay: The direction succeeds in atmosphere, but the screenplay tends to wobble when juggling many themes. The choice to make the film more than just a genre thriller is admirable, but adds complexity.

Audience Take & My Verdict

Who will enjoy it:

• Viewers interested in atmospheric cinema rather than jump-scare horror.
• People who appreciate films that attempt to engage with place, memory and socio-political context.
• Fans of Manav Kaul and serious acting performances.
• Audiences willing to engage with a slower-burn story that blends genre and issue.

Who might find it lacking:

• If you’re looking for a pure, tightly-crafted horror thriller with minimal distraction, this might feel over-ambitious.
• Viewers expecting conventional commercial horror tropes may be disappointed.
• Those wanting deeper nuance in the socio-political exploration of Kashmir might feel the film skirts around some edges.

Final verdict:
On balance, I’d rate Baramulla as above average — roughly 3 to 3.5 stars out of 5. It has serious ambition, strong performances, and a rich sense of place, but doesn’t fully deliver on every promise. As Bollywood Hungama put it:

“On the whole, Baramulla is a rare, one‐of‐its‐kind film that fuses supernatural elements with the socio-political reality of Kashmir in a deeply impactful way.” (Bollywood Hungama)

And yet, Firstpost cautions:

“A brilliant topic that should have been told in a better and convincing way.” (Firstpost)

So it is a film worth watching — especially if you value setting, mood and themes — but with moderate expectations.

Key Takeaways for Your Content Strategy (If You’re Writing or Posting About It)

• Emphasise the setting of Kashmir as a living character — this angle is unique and will likely draw curiosity.
• Highlight Manav Kaul’s connection to the land (he is from Baramulla) — adds authenticity and human interest. (The Times of India)
• Use the genre-blend (supernatural + socio-political) as a hook: “More than a horror film, Baramulla is a reflection on memory & loss.”
• Address expectations: “If you seek a classic horror ride, maybe adjust your lens — this film works more on mood than loud scares.”
• Leverage visuals: snow-laden Kashmir, the old mansion, the haunted house visuals — good material for social media posts or thumbnails.
• Use strong keywords for SEO: Baramulla review, Manav Kaul Kashmir horror, supernatural thriller India 2025, Netflix Baramulla synopsis.
• Engage your audience: ask questions like “Do you believe the valley can be a character in a film?” or “What scares you more — ghosts or history?”

Conclusion

“Baramulla” stands out for its ambition, its visual and atmospheric strength, and its attempt to tell a haunting story set in one of India’s most charged regions. It doesn’t always land with precision, but it offers a thoughtful, eerie experience that lingers beyond its runtime. For viewers and writers alike, it provides rich texture — of snow, shadows, memory, and valley winds — and invites reflection rather than simply entertainment.