Review of ‘CTRL’: A Formulaic Thriller Exploring Social Media Obsession
It may not be surprising, but Ananya Panday is aiming to be the face of the validation-seeking Gen Z. Her journey began with “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” where she portrayed a young corporate consultant who, after a breakup, tries to win back her ex by posting alluring selfies on Instagram.
In “Call Me Bae,” she takes on the role of Bella Chowdhury, an entitled heiress who has studied ‘social media journalism’ and treats hashtags like everyday language. The internet has been her playground—until now. In Vikramaditya Motwane’s cyber-thriller “CTRL,” she plays Nella Awasthi, a content creator who unwittingly sells her soul and data to a malevolent AI bot.
I appreciate when actors take on similar roles in different films (I’ve lost track of how many times Robert De Niro has played a gangster), as long as they bring something new to the table. However, Ananya seems to have reached a standstill. Her portrayals of Gen Z women often revolve around vanity, the quest for validation, and the isolation of contemporary life.
“CTRL” unfolds through screens, showcasing Nella and Joe Mascarenhas (Vihaan Samat) falling in love via social media videos: from cozy moments at a New Year’s party to vacation fun, running along a pier, and jumping into a lake. True to modern relationships, they also create amusing videos together on their page ‘NJoy’ (Nella + Joe), including one about the best spots for making out in college—answering with the chemistry lab, naturally. Motwane seems to have a critical view of the generation he portrays.
In a dramatic turn of events, Nella unexpectedly discovers Joe in a compromising situation with another woman while attempting to surprise him for their anniversary, all while broadcasting live on social media. This shocking moment ignites a storm online, leading Yashraj Mukhaute to create a song inspired by her reaction. Tanmay Bhat and his friends chime in, sharing their thoughts on the video of Nella confronting Joe, and soon she becomes the subject of countless memes. Following the breakup, her follower count takes a hit.
Amidst a harsh online backlash, Nella feels lost and isolated. In her quest to erase Joe from her digital existence, she decides to download CTRL, an AI program designed to “delete” him from her life, akin to a modern twist on the age-old practice of destroying mementos of an ex. She also begins to confide in her chosen AI avatar, a playful character she names Allen—an anagram of her own name. While this detail is charming, she somewhat undermines it by explicitly explaining the connection to Allen, reminding him of his identity.
Allen becomes her daily planner, orchestrating her social media resurgence and providing emotional support, while Joe mysteriously disappears. As Nella embarks on a quest to find him, the film shifts between tones reminiscent of “Her” and “Searching,” revealing Joe’s involvement in a whistleblower group aiming to expose a fictional conglomerate called ‘Mantra Unlimited,’ which controls everything, including CTRL.
Overall, the film serves as a critique of social media’s pitfalls, but it struggles to forge a connection with viewers. Nella and Joe’s romance fails to evoke any deep longing, and as a thriller, CTRL only offers suspense akin to watching a short video. While there’s a certain intrigue in witnessing a story unfold through screens, it ultimately lacks the emotional depth that keeps us engaged.
The film serves more as a public service announcement about data safety than a cohesive story, largely due to its straightforward writing style. Ananya Panday portrays a temperamental influencer who has been wronged, and while she sometimes goes overboard, she does display some talent in the more emotional scenes. Vihaan Samat has limited screen time but manages to deliver a decent performance.
I can’t deny that CTRL prompted me to think about the amount of personal data I share with various apps. However, the film struggles with its focus, shifting between themes. Is it a commentary on the fragility of relationships in the digital era? A satire of social media? A cyber-horror narrative? While it touches on urban isolation, it never fully explores that theme.
The internet is depicted as a realm filled with “faceless trolls” and self-serving influencers. CTRL captures a sense of bleakness but misses the absurdity of the situation. In one scene, we see the comment section of a video from the CEO of the authoritarian company Mantra, who is dismissing all accusations against him. Most comments are supportive, praising Mantra’s potential to change the world, except for one that humorously asks, “Sir, can I get a job?” There’s always that one person.
Director: Vikramaditya Motwane
Cast: Ananya Panday, Vihaan Samat, Devika Vatsa
Streaming on Netflix
Rating: 2/5
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