Sector 36: Vikrant Massey Delivers a Chilling Performance in a Gripping Tale Inspired by the Nithari Killings

Every actor has a defining role that brings forth their hidden abilities and turns their career in a new direction. Vikrant Massey’s recent performance in Netflix’s Sector 36, where he portrays a psychopathic murderer, might be that pivotal moment. Although Massey has previously taken on negative characters, this portrayal sends an unmistakable chill through the audience. Set against the backdrop of the 2006 Noida serial murders, this Netflix original follows the fictional narrative of Prem Singh, a predator linked to the inexplicable vanishing of numerous children from a slum in Sector 36.

With a disturbing mix of pride and fascination, he preys on his victims, dismembers them with precision, partakes in necrophilia, and occasionally consumes their remains—without showing any signs of remorse. These primal acts provide him with a twisted sense of release, pushing him into a euphoric state. In one scene, he reclines on a sofa, reveling in the satisfaction of having butchered a woman who rejected his advances.

Deepak Dobriyal portrays a corrupt police officer who later becomes invested in solving the case.

Massey’s depiction of a paedophilic cannibal stands out as one of the most unsettling performances in recent memory. The experienced actor captures the nuanced twitches and muscle movements of a pathological killer with unsettling accuracy. Even the most gruesome acts he commits are interspersed with moments of deep satisfaction and a disquieting indifference. Prem Singh, Massey’s character, works as a domestic helper in a businessman’s home. If you’re familiar with the actual Nithari case, it won’t be shocking to discover that the film implicates the homeowner in these monstrous crimes. Sector 36 presents the murders as part of an extensive organ trafficking network. However, for Massey’s character, these actions aren’t mere obedience to his employer’s commands; instead, they represent a passion-fueled crime that helps maintain his sanity—Massey embodies this twisted individual flawlessly.

The true story behind the infamous Nithari case left the nation reeling and cast a grim shadow on India on a global scale. Over 16 children and women were sexually assaulted, murdered, served as meals, and disposed of in drains.

This Netflix adaptation quickly establishes the context and builds suspense. Within the initial ten minutes, audiences are exposed to necrophilia, gruesome limb mutilations, and bags of flesh drifting in the drain. We already know Massey is the perpetrator and that his capture is inevitable. As a torrent of blood flows from a decrepit toilet, the title sequence begins, setting the stage for the harrowing scenes to follow. We witness body parts being packed and dispatched as if they were mere packages, anatomical remains displayed like trophies, and femurs floating serenely in drains.

Sector 36’s cinematography is highly commendable.

Deepak Dobriyal’s role as the corrupt officer takes a serious turn when a personal tragedy compels him to investigate the mysterious disappearances of slum children. This initiates his pursuit of truth and his determination to bring the perpetrator to justice, despite the police department’s hesitance to escalate the investigation.

Yet, the film refrains from exploring the comprehensive investigation linked to the case or the vast organ trafficking network associated with it. Dobriyal’s efforts to uncover the truth are superficial, and the organ trafficking subplot is addressed in no more than three scenes at a dingy clinic serving as the organ trade’s epicenter. The film also conveniently sidesteps the judicial side of the matter, perhaps because despite 17 lengthy years of legal battles, the offenders were ultimately acquitted.

Director Aditya Nimbalkar appears focused primarily on the disturbed mind of the killer, foregoing a deeper examination of other significant aspects. While it’s admirable that Nimbalkar intended to concentrate on a specific theme, a concise narrative summarizing the court’s final verdict might have enhanced the film. Perhaps the debuting director sought to prevent a disheartening conclusion by finishing on a hopeful note.

Akash Khurana’s character is inspired by Moninder Singh Pandher, a suspect in the Nithari case.

The film skillfully handles its depiction of horrifying themes like necrophilia, paedophilia, and cannibalism without crossing the line into gratuitousness. In addition to the harrowing visuals and suggestive soundscapes, Massey’s masterful expressions and body language serve as potent storytelling devices that deepen the film’s impact. The way his eyes spark with life at the sight of a cadaver and how he sizes up a bound child encapsulate the horror of his impending crimes. Bodhayan Roychaudhury’s sharp writing and gripping dialogue further enhance the nuanced narrative. The topic is treated with the level of care and sensitivity it warrants, steering clear of tasteless sensationalism while still conveying its inhumanity.

The film shines through Saurabh Goswami’s remarkable cinematography, featuring numerous visual metaphors and balanced frame compositions that enrich the narrative. A particularly thought-provoking scene shows Massey confessing to a police officer, both framed at an equal distance from the camera. The depth created by this framing is hard to overlook, further complemented by the chilling performances of Massey and Dobriyal.

If not for the grim themes, one might be tempted to draw comparisons between the cinematography in Sector 36 and Wes Anderson’s trademark symmetry. While Anderson’s visually playful films exude a storybook charm, here the symmetry has a disquieting feel.

Sector 36 features a multitude of visually striking shots.

The use of lighting as a storytelling mechanism, along with visual metaphors, also holds significant merit. Different colors articulate various moods that are sure to resonate with observant film enthusiasts. Spiraling shots of circular staircases accompany moments of brain-teasing mystery, while masked figures serve as a backdrop for vile criminals masquerading as esteemed community members. The abduction of slum children is juxtaposed with the depiction of Goddess Sita’s abduction by Ravana during a Ramleela festivity. Even the act of butchering is accompanied by the haunting song “Man Kyoon Behka Re Behka Aadhi Raat Ko” by Lata Mangeshkar, symbolizing a wandering mind in the depth of night.

Nimbalkar’s insightful interpretation of the Nithari case strikes an excellent balance between factual recounting and fictional elements, skillfully avoiding the traps of a dull documentary format. The film retains its cinematic allure while remaining true to real events, invoking a sense of horror and unease that will linger with viewers long after the credits roll. It adeptly merges a strong screenplay, thoughtful cinematography, and chilling performances into a gripping narrative that is bound to haunt you. Massey’s exceptional performance is especially worthy of recognition, likely to elevate his career to new heights. By skillfully harmonizing these various components, Nimbalkar has crafted a film guaranteed to leave an enduring and unsettling impression on audiences.

Rating: 7.5/10