Movie
This Movie Will Make You Feel Like a Bad Person…
When I heard about The Zone of Interest (2023) which confines its horrors almost exclusively
to sound; I was intrigued. Consequently, I did not realize that this film would propel me into a
world of metaphysical crisis.
There is no denying that The Zone of Interest is a beautifully shot film. Director Jonathan
Glazer took it upon himself to film exclusively with natural light. This infuses the scenes with
a scary dose of reality.
The Zone of Interest centers around Rudolf Höss (played by Christian Friedel) who was the
commandant of Auschwitz (1943 -1945). Höss, his wife Hedwig, and their five children
infamously lived in the concentration camp at the bottom of their garden hidden by a high
wall (and some trees).
After the audience is made aware of this fact the movie, almost immediately, splits into two
separate movies. The German family drama unfolding in front of our eyes and the echoing
sounds of the atrocities surrounding the house filled our ears. Glazer himself stated himself
that the production was filmed as two separate movies; first the visual movie and then the
auditory.
I have never been so aware of sound whilst watching a film. The continuous sound of
gunshots raised cruel voices and pleading in different languages. The ever-present
chimneys looming in the background; horrifically begin to spew black smoke and ash. Even
the sound of a distant steam train becomes sinister. Trains carrying thousands of people to
their almost certain deaths.
Many viewers have voiced their hatred of the central family. And they are very easy to hate.
One of the first things we see Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) do is receive parcels from a
wheelbarrow-wielding Auschwitz inmate. These ‘parcels’ turn out to be possessions stolen from the concentration camp prisoners (guards would often help themselves to loot items).
Hedwig tells her paid staff to help themselves to a collection of women’s clothing she ‘gifts’
them (which the staff gleefully do). Whilst Hedwig herself tries on a mink coat. She even
finds a tube of lipstick in the pocket and of course tries that on too. At this point, it dawns on the audience that Hedwig is wearing the coat of a most likely dead or dying person. Later in the film, Hedwig asks her husband to get her ‘chocolate’ or ‘goodies’ from the camp.
One look at Rudolph Höss’s history will disgust anyone, it’s hard to amalgamate this Rudolph
to the loving father and husband we see portrayed on screen. The real Höss’s daughter;
Brigitte was around 8 years old during the time of the film. When elderly Brigitte was
interviewed she made it clear her dad was “wonderful” (Harding, 2024). She was of course
devastated when her father was hanged (on the grounds of Auschwitz no less) for his crimes
against humanity. And that is something this film does; it gives him humanity in a way that is
very conflicting.
The other Nazis running the camp gather at the Höss villa to toast the commandant’s birthday
(how nice of them). One of the most shocking scenes, in my opinion, is during this
celebration when Rudolph takes his boots off at the door of the villa because I assumed he
didn’t want to tread mud on Hedwig’s clean floors. However, when one of the inmates washes
his boots under the outside tap we see they are covered in blood. Seeing the clean water turn
red is a perfect metaphor for the film.
As much as I tried not to I couldn’t help but feel a familiarity with the situation the family are
in. Hear me out. Sounds of human suffering encroach on the villa from all sides as the family
go about their day-to-day life. Not unlike how our lives are constantly bombarded by news of
Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and hundreds of other humanitarian crises filter through
our newsfeeds daily. Shockingly I saw myself in Hedwig; planning my next holiday, getting
excited about new clothes, and lipstick while all these atrocities played out in the background.
Am I any better than this family? Just because I am not actively taking part in human
suffering I know about it yet choose (for the most part) to turn a blind eye.
Evil thrives under complacency. And it’s easy to transform Nazis into sadistic demons
wearing jackboots instead of humans. In one scene the commandants of every concentration
camp all meet to discuss ‘The Final Solution’ to exterminate the Jewish population and
undesirables of society using gas chambers. With how many of these commandant’s are
shown it reminds us just how many camps there were. How heavily guarded these camps
must have been. Of all these hundreds of guards they can’t all of have been sociopaths and
psychopaths. They were just regular people with families like the Höss’s and that’s what’s
scary. Many must have had children around the same age as the children they were
strategically killing. In fact one of the reasons for the use of gas chambers was so the SS
officer’s morale wouldn’t be too damaged by constantly having to shoot large groups of
people, most of which included women and children. They wouldn’t personally have to see
the massacres.
Much like Hedwig, it’s easy to compartmentalize and tend to your beautiful garden as the
sounds of death and violence echo in the distance. On the surface,e the characters seem
unaffected until we see that Rudolph is seeing a physician for idiopathic gastrointestinal
problems and the nanny is constantly knocking back what I assume is not water.
The Zone of Interest perfectly encapsulates the complacency of our times by using a recent
historical example. We can no longer claim ignorance. So I must ask where is your garden
wall situated?
Five stars.
In the ever-evolving world of Indian cinema, few stars have managed to carve a niche as effortlessly as Allu Arjun. Known for his electrifying screen presence, unparalleled dance moves, and ability to adapt to any role, Arjun has become a phenomenon, transcending regional cinema to gain pan-Indian appeal. Whether it’s intense action dramas, heartwarming family entertainers, or stylish romantic films, he has done it all.
Take Pushpa: The Rise (2021), for instance. With a rugged new look and a raw, earthy performance, Allu Arjun transformed into Pushpa Raj, a smuggler who refuses to bow down to power. His signature swagger, powerful dialogue delivery (“Thaggede Le” became a cultural mantra), and intense action sequences made the film a box-office juggernaut. The film’s massive success on Amazon Prime Video only extended its reach beyond Indian borders, turning Arjun into a global icon.
But the star’s magic isn’t just limited to mass action spectacles. In Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Arjun showcased his flair for comedy and family drama, delivering one of the most charming performances of his career. His character, Bantu, a middle-class man who discovers his true lineage, resonated with audiences, and his impeccable dance moves in songs like Butta Bomma took the internet by storm. The film’s presence on Netflix made it one of the most-watched Indian films on the platform.
However, Arjun’s journey to superstardom wasn’t built on commercial cinema alone. Films like Arya (2004) showcased his ability to bring depth and sincerity to romantic dramas. Playing the role of a selfless lover who believes in destiny, he delivered a performance that remains iconic to this day. His natural charm and emotional depth made Arya a cult classic, solidifying his reputation as Tollywood’s next big thing.
Even when he steps into full-fledged action mode, he never loses his distinct style and charisma. Sarrainodu (2016) was a high-octane actioner where he played an ex-military man fighting corruption. With power-packed fight sequences, catchy dialogues, and foot-tapping songs like Blockbuster, the film became a true crowd-puller.
But one of Arjun’s most underrated performances came in Vedam (2010), a film that explored multiple narratives and showcased him in a never-before-seen role. Playing Cable Raju, a slum dweller pretending to be rich, he brought a rare vulnerability to the character, proving his ability to balance mass appeal with meaningful cinema.
From ruling the box office to winning six Filmfare Awards South, Allu Arjun’s journey is a testament to his unmatched versatility. Whether he’s setting the dance floor on fire, delivering powerful monologues, or simply owning the screen with his presence, he continues to redefine what it means to be a pan-Indian superstar.
For those who haven’t yet experienced the magic of Allu Arjun, now is the perfect time to dive into his cinematic universe. His films are available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and ZEE5, ensuring that no matter where you are, you can witness the rise of the Stylish Star firsthand.
Genre: Action Thriller
Runtime: 2 hours 45 minutes
Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Writer: Murali Gopy
Starring: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas
Studio: Aashirvad Cinemas, Lyca Productions
The Good: What Empuraan Gets Right
Mohanlal’s Magnetic Screen Presence: As Stephen/Khurēshi Ab’raam, Mohanlal owns every scene. His silence speaks louder than words, and his layered performance adds emotional gravity to the action.
Prithviraj’s Direction Shines: Seamlessly balancing intense set pieces with political intrigue, Prithviraj proves again he’s one of the most visionary directors in Indian cinema today.
Murali Gopy’s Sharp Screenplay: The film is packed with political subtext, philosophical dialogue, and thrilling twists that reward patient viewers.
Stunning Cinematography and Score: The visuals, spanning locations from India to the Middle East, are breathtaking. Deepak Dev’s music elevates every sequence, especially the high-stakes confrontations.
Strong Supporting Cast: With Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, and Tovino Thomas in key roles, the ensemble delivers solid performances that complement Mohanlal.
The Bad: Where Empuraan Falters
Pacing in the First Half: The film takes its time building the narrative, which may test the patience of action-seeking audiences early on.
Complexity Might Alienate Casual Viewers: With deep political allegories and global criminal dynamics, it’s not exactly light fare — viewers unfamiliar with Lucifer might feel lost.
A Bit Too Long: At 2 hours and 45 minutes, some scenes — particularly flashbacks — could’ve been trimmed without losing impact.
Empuraan Is a Gripping and Ambitious Sequel That Raises the Stakes After the massive success of Lucifer (2019), fans have waited with bated breath for the sequel — and Empuraan does not disappoint. Directed with confidence by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this 2025 Malayalam action thriller expands the universe of Lucifer, diving deeper into the underworld empire of Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal) and the origins of the mysterious Khureshi-Ab’raam.
Empuraan is a masterfully executed Malayalam action thriller that expands its cinematic universe with flair. Mohanlal delivers another iconic performance, and Prithviraj continues to evolve as a bold director who knows how to handle scale and subtlety alike. While the film’s pacing and complexity may not appeal to everyone, for fans of intelligent, stylish Indian cinema, Empuraan is a must-watch.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Recommended for:
Fans of Lucifer, Indian political thrillers, Mohanlal admirers, Malayalam cinema lovers, and viewers who appreciate layered storytelling and high-stakes action.
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr., affectionately known as Jr NTR, has consistently enthralled audiences with his dynamic performances and versatile acting prowess. Following the successful release of “Devara: Part 1” on September 27, 2024, fans are eagerly anticipating his forthcoming projects. Here’s an overview of what’s next for this action superstar.
1. Devara: Part 2
After the resounding success of “Devara: Part 1,” which grossed over ₹466 crore globally, the sequel is highly anticipated. Director Koratala Siva has hinted that “Devara: Part 2” will be even more intense, stating that if Part 1 showcased 10% of Jr NTR’s capabilities, Part 2 will unveil the remaining 90%. Filming is slated to commence in the first half of 2026, with a targeted release by the end of that year.
2. War 2
Expanding his horizons, Jr NTR is set to make his Hindi film debut with “War 2,” directed by Ayan Mukerji. This sequel to the 2019 blockbuster “War” will see him sharing screen space with Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani. The film is part of the YRF Spy Universe and is scheduled for release on August 14, 2025, coinciding with the Indian Independence Day weekend.
3. NTR 31 (Tentative Title: Dragon)
In collaboration with acclaimed director Prashanth Neel, Jr NTR will star in a period drama tentatively titled “Dragon.” The film is set to delve into themes of immigration and is expected to be one of the most expensive projects for both the actor and the director. The movie is slated for a grand release on January 9, 2026.
Why Jr NTR is the Action Hero Everyone Wants to See
Jr NTR’s appeal as an action hero stems from his ability to seamlessly blend intense physicality with deep emotional resonance. His performances are characterized by a compelling screen presence, dynamic energy, and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences across diverse roles. This unique combination of skills has solidified his status as a leading figure in Indian cinema, making him the action hero everyone wants to see.
With a lineup of diverse and high-profile projects, Jr NTR continues to push cinematic boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide. His dedication to his craft and ability to reinvent himself with each role ensure that fans have much to look forward to in the coming years.
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