‘Accused’ review: Konkona Sen Sharma’s MeToo thriller divides the Internet

PTC Web Desk: Anubhuti Kashyap’s latest film 'Accused', backed by Dharmatic Entertainment and streaming on Netflix, has set social media abuzz, but not everyone is on the same page.

Headlined by Konkona Sen Sharma and Pratibha Ranta, the psychological thriller attempts something ambitious: a gender-flipped #MeToo narrative anchored by a queer relationship. 

What the film is about?

Dr. Geetika Sen, played by Konkona Sen Sharma, is a well-known surgeon whose life takes a turn for the worse after she is accused of sexual misconduct in a series of mysterious emails. The hospital administration requests that she take a temporary leave of absence while an investigation is carried out. After an ex-journalist is brought in to look into it, the evidence, reports, and even close connections start to work against her, almost too slowly.

Geetika's partner, Dr. Meera, is portrayed by Pratibha Ranta. She left the traditional Meerut in pursuit of a more liberal life in London. However, as the accusations grow, Meera is caught between doubt and love. One of the most interesting themes in the movie is the emotional strain between the two.

What Twitter is saying?

Online reactions to this delicate topic have been divided, as could be expected.

The performances, particularly Konkona's subdued yet impactful interpretation, are receiving high praise from many fans. One user commented, "Konkona is outstanding; it hits harder because she doesn't overdo the drama." Another person tweeted, "Pratibha Ranta is unexpected." She gives Meera a certain understated intensity.

It has also been greatly praised that a mainstream thriller depicts a homosexual relationship at its core. An anonymous user remarked, "It's exciting to see a queer couple treated with nuance and gravity, not just as supporting characters." "The relationship feels real, flawed, and layered," said a second person. 

But not everyone is convinced.

A few viewers thought the screenplay didn't make the most of its compelling idea. One tweet stated, "The pacing dips in the second half, but the idea is strong." "It wants to be a psychological thriller, but the tension doesn't sustain till the end," wrote another user.

Debate has also been raised by the movie's treatment of the gender-flipped #MeToo aspect. It's a brave yet challenging area. One observer commented, "I'm not sure it lands completely." The vagueness was annoying to others. Another person stated, "I understand that it's supposed to provoke thought, but I wanted more precise responses."

‘Accused’ starts a discussion

Unquestionably, Accused is successful at sparking up a discussion. The movie seems relevant in a time when accusations may surface on social media in real time and reputations can be destroyed in a second. It addresses not only guilt or innocence but also the uncertain places where prejudice, perception, and personal opinions meet.

Even though, people are not in love with the film, but still they can’t stop discussing it.