Baramulla Netflix Review: Kashmir’s Ghosts, Grief, and Snowbound Secrets
Baramulla, Netflix’s latest psychological thriller, is a chilling dive into Kashmir’s haunted past. Set against the snow-covered silence of the Valley, the film blends supernatural horror with real-world trauma, offering a story that’s both emotionally raw and politically charged.
A Family Torn by Duty and Displacement
At the heart of the story is DSP Ridwan Shafi Sayyed (played by Manav Kaul), a police officer battling PTSD. Transferred from Reasi to Baramulla, Ridwan is tasked with investigating the mysterious disappearance of six schoolboys. He suspects militant groups are brainwashing and abducting children, sending them across the border to terrorist training camps.
Ridwan doesn’t arrive alone. His wife Gulnaar, daughter Noorie, and son Ayaan move into a newly renovated house that creaks with secrets. Their family dynamic is strained — Gulnaar finds solace in her poetry blog, Noorie clashes with her father, and Ayaan, the youngest, longs for connection in a cold, unfamiliar place.
Baramulla Netflix Review: Haunted Houses and Hidden Trapdoors
The Sayyeds’ new home is more than just eerie — it’s a character in itself. Trapdoors beneath the wooden floors hide remnants of past residents. The landline is dead, the doors groan, and shadows linger in corners. As the story unfolds, supernatural elements begin to surface, blurring the line between reality and hallucination. The house becomes a metaphor for Kashmir itself — beautiful on the outside, but hiding layers of pain, loss, and unresolved history.
White Tulips as Symbols of Dread
In Bollywood, tulip fields often evoke romance — think Silsila or Prem Rog. But in Baramulla, the white tulip is a symbol of dread. It appears throughout the film as a visual MacGuffin, signaling danger and emotional darkness.
The Valley, usually portrayed in vibrant hues, is shown here in stark whites and greys. Snow replaces color, and silence replaces song. Kashmir looks cold, haunted, and stripped of its usual cinematic warmth.
Baramulla Netflix Review: Trauma Over Terror
What sets Baramulla apart from typical horror films is its focus on trauma. The real horror isn’t ghosts — it’s memory, exile, and grief. The film explores the psychological scars left by militancy, displacement, and communal tension.
It doesn’t pit Kashmiri Pandits against Muslims. Instead, it shows how both communities — living and dead — are bound by shared suffering. The supernatural elements serve to amplify the emotional weight rather than distract from it.
A Rushed Climax, But a Lasting Impact
At 1 hour and 52 minutes, the film walks a tightrope between psychological thriller and supernatural mystery. The climax feels hurried, with a flood of information that may overwhelm viewers. But despite its pacing issues, Baramulla leaves a lasting impression.
It’s a sensitive, atmospheric portrayal of Kashmir’s fractured soul — a place where tulips bloom in silence, and ghosts whisper through snow.
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