CTRL successfully blends old Sci-Fi tropes into an entertaining watch

As the world grows more and more technologically advanced by the second, the advent of a dystopian reality seems more likely than ever. Tech companies seemingly control most facets of human life today and their ever-increasing control over our lives and privacy poses a greater risk than most people realize.

Netflix’s latest outing CTRL delves into themes of social media privacy and AI's impact on our lives. Taking inspiration from other dystopian-themed shows such as Netflix’s own Black Mirror, the movie plays out majorly on laptop and phone screens, with a heavy focus on storytelling entirely through dialogue. Despite being a heavily-inspired attempt, the film stands out because of its unique visual presentation and slick editing.

What worked

The film masterfully navigates through a set of different dystopian era problems that the world may have to face, soon. Nella (Ananya Pandey) enlists the help of an AI assistant named CTRL that can remove her ex-boyfriend and content partner Joe (Vihaan Samat) from her old pictures digitally, ensuring a clean digital footprint for herself.

The film takes a very different approach to its visual storytelling. Much of the film is shot on an iPhone, with the story told entirely through screens. This unique edit-heavy approach keeps the viewer enthralled and often mimics the feeling a person might have while using their own gadget.

This particular choice of visual storytelling also helps build tension within the narrative at a fairly steady pace, keeping one at the edge of their seat. Ananya Pandey gives one of the best performances of her career as the stripped-down camera work requires her to pull off a compelling acting performance, safe to say that she does indeed.

Even though the plot draws from familiar tropes, it conveys the exploitation we face from tech companies and AI, easy enough for every layman to understand. That is an aspect that more often than not gets lost in most sci-fi narratives of this nature.

What Didn’t work

The narrative borrows heavily from multiple dystopian films and TV shows, particularly Black Mirror and Her. The film’s ending felt rushed, leaving several subplots unresolved, possibly in anticipation of a sequel. Regardless of the sequel's intent, the unresolved subplots diminish the tension built throughout the film, leaving viewers wanting a more conclusive ending.

The opening sequence establishing Nella and Joe’s relationship feels overly long, with repetitive shots of cute photos and social media posts that don’t add much to the narrative. It is one part of the film which could have been significantly shortened without affecting the narrative.

Verdict

Ananya Pandey possibly delivers one of the best performances of her career and shines as Nella. As for the film, despite borrowing familiar themes, it excels in localizing dystopian ideas and presenting them in a visually unique package. Though it doesn’t fully explore the complexities of data privacy and AI, it still delivers a clear, important message to audiences unfamiliar with the topic.