'Gaslighting Isn't Love': Fans Praise 'Darlings' For Real Portrayal Of Red Flags In Relationships

"Darlings," directed by Jasmeet K Reen and starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, and Vijay Varma, is a dark comedy about an abusive marriage and how a mother-daughter duo traverses it.

Darlings/ Screengrab

Darlings is a refreshing watch in many ways. Whether it's the portrayal of domestic violence and toxicity in relationships or the outstanding performances by the cast that remain loyal to the film in every frame¡ªDarlings is an essential film in today's time.

Netflix/Eternal Sunshine/Red Chillies

Cinema fans are praising Alia Bhatt-Vijay Varma and Shefali Shah's darling and more so because of the way it highlights gaslighting in relationships.

"Been there, done that: We all have been in a relationship where we were tricked into believing the toxicity was love. But was it?

Darlings offers us to two women, Alia Bhatt as Badrunissa Shaikh (Badru) and Shefali Shah as Shamshunnisa Anzari (Shamshu). Badru lives with her government employee husband, Hamza Shaikh (Vijay Varma), who beats her every night for any little reason.

The next day, he would attempt to make amends with Badru by blaming his fury and violence on his drunkenness and proclaiming his love.

While he repeatedly hurts Badru, he makes up for the violence by making false promises.

Darlings

Praising the entire Darlings team for finally showcasing how it feels to be trapped in a toxic relationship, fans have praised the film for staying true to its intent.

The way darlings has painted how the abuser behaves after the abuse has happened, the manipulation, the gaslighting, the blame game...so far it's so on point. I have to take a break constantly coz it's just that chilling

¡ª Disgruntled Pelican ???? (@ThisisLLN) August 5, 2022

Gaslighting ?
Darlings has a scene where Alia's Badru is at the police station, about to lodge a complaint of domestic violence against Vijay Verma's Hamza. A conversation ensues b/w the two. I watched this scene in rapt attention, where Hamza is apologizing to Badru.

¡ª Manjiri (@ManjiriIndurkar) August 6, 2022

Chances are that if you¡¯ve been or are in a toxic relationship, #Darlings will leave you triggered (as it did me).

But I just want to point out that the way they¡¯ve shown the abuser¡¯s demeanour after the abuse & gaslighting has taken place is absolutely spot on¡­

¡ª Tanu D (@TDogra) August 7, 2022

I'm so glad Darlings highlights manipulative behaviour and gaslighting as well. So many times people miss out on the red flags because of "Lou". Very good movie!

¡ª Kri? (@criticallytired) August 7, 2022

Darlings on Netflix is a fantastic film on gaslighting and abuse It really made want to kill the bastard husband. It¡¯s also done with tasteful comedy not ruining the original plot lines. Netflix did it right with this one 8.5/10 #DarlingsOnNetflix

¡ª ??Laxus?? (@laxusxtanjiro) August 8, 2022

I loves the whole concept of the movie, the story, the plot , the acting by all of the actors, the manipulation, the gaslighting , the pain, the badru's urge to believe that hamza will change, the 'its not alcohol it was just him'. @NetflixIndia #Darlings

¡ª Nashra (@heytherenashra) August 9, 2022

Gaslighting being the overarching theme - after watching this movie it struck me how gaslighting isn¡¯t just another gender neutral manipulative tactic that we talk about in relationships¡­ (2/3) #Darlings #DarlingsReview #ViolenceAgainstWomen

¡ª Misimi (@misimi27) August 9, 2022

Darlings, specially the first half, is an accurate representation of trauma-bond, gaslighting and manipulation and how it makes leaving soo hard.(4/4)

¡ª Kritika (@KritikaRages) August 10, 2022

While many films have addressed the brutality of domestic violence, including Provoked, Saat Khoon Maaf, etc., Darlings has made us all realize how gaslighting is often camouflaged under the false pretext of love claims.

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