Merry Christmas is a 2024 Hindi movie directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi. The movie is a neo-noir mystery thriller that revolves around two strangers who meet on a fateful Christmas Eve and get entangled in a web of unforeseen events. The movie is based on a French novel by Frédéric Dard and was filmed simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil.
The Plot and the Twist
The movie follows Albert, a man who returns to Bombay after several years of being away. He is grieving for his mother and looking for some cheer in the city’s Christmas festivities. He meets Maria, a beautiful and mysterious woman, and her mute daughter Annie. They spend the night together, walking and talking, and Albert feels a strong attraction to Maria. He also bonds with Annie, who reminds him of his childhood.
However, things soon take a dark turn when Albert discovers that Maria is not who she claims to be. She is actually the wife of a wealthy businessman, Jerome, who is involved in a shady deal with a gangster, Ronnie. Maria has a plan to escape from her abusive husband and run away with the money, and she needs Albert’s help. But Albert is not the only one who is being deceived. Maria has a secret that will shock him and change everything.
The movie has a twist that will keep the audience guessing until the end. The movie plays with the themes of identity, deception, and fate. It shows how one night can change the lives of two people forever.
The Cast and the Crew
The movie features a talented cast of actors who deliver stellar performances. Katrina Kaif plays Maria, the femme fatale who seduces Albert and manipulates him. Kaif portrays the complexity and vulnerability of her character with finesse. Vijay Sethupathi plays Albert, the naive and innocent man who falls for Maria. Sethupathi brings out the charm and the confusion of his character with ease. The chemistry between Kaif and Sethupathi is palpable and captivating.
The movie also has a strong supporting cast, including Ashwini Kalsekar, Sanjay Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Radhika Apte, and Tinnu Anand. They play the roles of the other characters who are involved in the plot, such as Jerome, Ronnie, the police inspector, and the singer. They add to the intrigue and the suspense of the movie.
The movie is directed by Sriram Raghavan, who is known for his acclaimed movies like Andhadhun, Badlapur, and Ek Hasina Thi. Raghavan is a master of the neo-noir genre, and he proves it once again with Merry Christmas. He creates a gripping and stylish movie that pays homage to the classic noir films. He also adds his own touch of humor and irony to the movie.
The movie is produced by Ramesh Taurani, Jaya Taurani, Sanjay Routray, and Kewal Garg under Tips Films and Matchbox Pictures. The movie has music composed by Pritam, who makes his Tamil debut with this movie. The movie has songs that suit the mood and the theme of the movie, such as the title track, “Merry Christmas”, and the romantic song, “Tum Ho”. The movie also has a score by Daniel B. George, who creates a tense and atmospheric background music for the movie.
The movie has cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan, who captures the essence and the contrast of Bombay in the 80s. The movie has a retro and noir look, with dark and shadowy scenes, as well as bright and colorful scenes. The movie also has editing by Pooja Ladha Surti, who keeps the pace and the flow of the movie smooth and engaging.
The Release and the Reception
The movie was released in theatres on 12 January 2024, after several postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie received positive reviews from critics and audiences, who praised the movie’s plot, direction, performances, and music. The movie also did well at the box office, earning ₹5.70 crore on its first day.
The movie was also released in Tamil, with the same cast and crew, under the title “Merry Christmas”. The movie was well-received by the Tamil audience as well, who appreciated the movie’s story, style, and acting.
Merry Christmas is a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question everything. It is a movie that will surprise you and entertain you. It is a movie that you will not forget.