36 Days: SonyLiv’s Overlong Murder Mystery Fails to Thrill With Predictable Plot Twists

An essential aspect of a compelling murder mystery lies in its capacity to captivate viewers with the intrigue of the whodunnit narrative while delivering surprises at every twist. The finest examples maintain your engagement by providing a thrilling rush and a continuous flow of suspense regarding the forthcoming events. Unfortunately, 36 Days, SonyLiv’s newest crime drama, falls short in these respects.

In principle, it possesses all the components necessary for an engaging crime thriller: a wealth of potential storylines, haunting music, and visuals that enhance its themes. However, these elements culminate in a chaotic blend, devoid of the sophistication and nuance required for an exemplary thriller.

The narrative commences with the lifeless body of an air hostess named Farah, found in a pool of her own blood, and subsequently takes us back 36 days before the tragedy, gradually unraveling the events that led to this act of violence, one episode at a time – a concept borrowed from the Welsh miniseries 35 Diwrnod, which serves as its inspiration.

We are introduced to a lavish suburban neighborhood in Goa where Farah has recently settled, encountering residents each with their intricate backstories. You’ll meet a self-centered womanizer, a drug kingpin, an overbearing pastry chef, a transgender artist, a determined entrepreneur, and an esteemed microbiologist, among others. Each personality is depicted with shades of ambiguity, prompting speculation about their potential guilt.

Purab Kohli and Shruti Seth portray a seemingly ideal couple facing marital strife in the series

However, the series succumbs to the clichéd error of cramming in superfluous tropes into thrillers, merely to create more red herrings. Numerous events unfold—police pursuits, raids, glamorous soirées, therapy dialogues, and marital disagreements—but they rarely contribute meaningfully to the main narrative and fail to provoke the emotional reactions that such thrillers typically evoke. It feels as though the creators prioritized embellishing the plot with distracting subplots at the expense of relevance and depth.

For instance, there’s a teenage pair fleeing from the beach, dodging security personnel. Why, you may wonder? It remains a mystery. Another character, dealing with mental health issues, is constantly haunted by visions of a rat. What does it signify? The audience is left in the dark.

The series also leans heavily on sexual themes. The characters are constantly consumed by desire. Within just the first ten minutes, an elderly man is seen engaged in an explicit video call with a camgirl. There are unnecessary sexual fantasy sequences, suggestive gazes, and more.

Despite efforts to weave these subplots into the narrative, they often feel contrived. Farhana is intended to be an enigmatic newcomer, but the show fails to convincingly establish her as such. As the central plot meanders, viewers might find their interest waning and consider abandoning the series midway. Although the latter episodes improve slightly, it may be too late for those who have already tuned out. What had the potential to be an engaging series deteriorates due to lackluster writing, inconsistent pacing, and clumsy editing that fails to maintain viewer engagement. The unsettling camera techniques and repetitive background music do little to enhance the experience.

Chandan Roy Sanyal’s character in the series embodies chauvinism, patriarchal tendencies, unreliability, and transphobia

Moreover, several gifted actors are significantly underutilized, including Sharib Hashmi [Family Man] and Neha Sharma. For much of the show, she is utilized more as a sexualized object rather than a fully realized character. When given the opportunity to speak, the script doesn’t showcase her talents effectively. Nonetheless, there are some notable performances. Purab Kohli delivers a commendable performance, but it is Shernaz Patel and Faisal Rashid’s [Monica, O My Darling] gripping portrayal of a troubled mother-son pair that truly stands out. Even with limited screen presence, they imbue their roles with significant depth, leaving a lasting impression with each appearance.

The series also includes Sushant Divgikar, a renowned model and drag performer, known as Rani Ko-HE-Nur. While their musical performances are commendable, their acting does not meet expectations.

Neha Sharma was last seen in JioCinema’s legal thriller, Illegal — Justice, Out of Order

The screenplay also misses the chance to delve into the grim realities of transphobia and its lasting impacts on those affected. While the series does illustrate transphobic harassment and judgmental whispers, it merely scratches the surface of this significant issue.

Conversely, Divgikar’s wardrobe is a visual delight. Whether in charming dresses or extravagant gowns, they present the outfits with remarkable grace and confidence. Unfortunately, these elements are insufficient to compensate for the overall fragility and mediocrity of the series.

36 Days exemplifies how murder mysteries can fail to engage their audience. If you’re a fan of the genre, it may be wise to skip this one, as it lacks the essential elements that create a tension-filled thriller. However, if you’re simply seeking a light weekend distraction or a forgettable background watch while attending to other tasks, it might suffice.

All eight episodes of 36 Days are now available for streaming on SonyLiv