With Merry Christmas, Sriram Raghavan both satisfies and subverts expectations, crafting another dark comedy thriller flaunting his signature direction style while opting for a more deliberate pace with fewer "twists", contrary to the frantic nature of his most recent work - Andhadhun.
Merry Christmas plays out more like a love story than a mystery. The peculiar pairing of Vijay Sethupati and Katrina Kaif was a casting choice bound to be met with skepticism. But the duo deliver mesmerising performances, with Kaif (as Maria) giving one of the finest performances of her long and illustrious career. She perfectly understands the mental torment that Maria is undergoing and depicts it with impeccable elegance. Vijay Sethupati plays Albert, a man on a quest for redemption, perfectly.
Sriram Raghavan, once again, is in complete command of his craft, establishing a sense of tension and mystery with the very opening scene. However, he opts for a more methodical pace, which becomes evident as the film unfolds. The major focus of the first half are the character development of the protagonists and the growth of their relationship. While certain phases of the film may seem drawn-out, there is a legitimate purpose for every scene that is included in the film.
Raghavan's use of music is, once again, on point. A plethora of vintage songs are peppered throughout the film, and play out during fitting moments, heightening the impact of the scenes. This is especially demonstrated in the film's final scene, which masterfully uses Vivaldi's "Winter" to elevate tension and emotional resonance of the scene.
Merry Christmas is haunting yet fun love story from Sriram Raghavan. It successfully differentiates itself from the director's prior works, while still bearing his distinctive style.
