Some where between science and spirits, fear lies deepest.|Jan. 08, 2021|India|105 Min.|R
Genre: Adventure;Bollywood;Horror;Mystery;Thriller
Description: “12 O’Clock” (2021) is a psychological thriller set in Mumbai, where a series of brutal murders by an unknown serial killer are causing panic. The focus shifts to Gauri, a college girl portrayed by Krishna Gautam, who becomes increasingly withdrawn and quiet. Gauri begins experiencing nightmares and sleepwalking, but her family is unaware of these troubling changes. Her unusual behavior raises concerns among her loved ones and a curious neighbor. The story explores whether Gauri’s actions are due to exam stress or if there’s something more sinister at play.
Directed and written by Ram Gopal Varma, the film features a talented cast and a storyline with potential, but it struggles with underdeveloped characters and confusing subplots. For instance, the dynamics between Gauri and her boyfriend, as well as between Francis (Manav Kaul) and his wife (Flora Saini), feel unclear and unconvincing. The first half of the movie drags as viewers attempt to decipher Gauri’s issues, but the narrative picks up in the second half with the introduction of new characters, such as Mithun Chakraborty as a psychiatrist and Manav Kaul as an encounter specialist.
While the movie includes a couple of eerie moments, such as Gauri waking up suddenly and turning her neck unnaturally, the overall execution lacks the intensity needed to truly unsettle the audience. With minimal jump scares and a runtime of 112 minutes, the film feels slow and overextended. However, the background score by MM Keeravani and the cinematography by Amol Rathod add some chilling moments, keeping viewers engaged.
In terms of performances, Krishna Gautam delivers a decent portrayal of Gauri but falls short in convincingly depicting a possessed teenager. Mithun Chakraborty and Manav Kaul provide strong support, helping to drive the story forward. Overall, “12 O’Clock” is a somewhat lackluster effort from Ram Gopal Varma, known for his previous horror films like “Bhoot,” “Phoonk,” and “Vastu Shastra.”
Cast director: Ram Gopal Varma
Cast actor: Makrand Deshpande, Mithun Chakraborty, Manav Kaul, Dilip tahil, Ali azghar, Ashish Vidhyarthi, Krishna gautam
Original name: 12 “o” CLOCK