What happens when Ajith Kumar aka AK makes a comeback with a banger at the box office — well, more like a remix? But is it any good, bad, or just plain ugly? What happens when your consciousness gets digitised? Meanwhile, Black Mirror returns to remind us that the scariest thing about technology is that we binge-watch it voluntarily and are more than happy to lose our minds. Also on the radar this week are Dying for Sex — yes, that’s the real title — and Chhorii 2, both of which lean into real-world horror.
Here’s a look at the sweet and the sour, the good and the bad — and what to watch.
HYPE CHECK: ‘Good Bad Ugly’
Ajith Kumar is back, cruising at the box office in a full-throttle fan service vehicle. Good Bad Ugly is exactly what it says on the tin. The good is AK, obviously. The bad is also him. And the ugly? The copyright drama.
GBU is metafiction. AK isn’t just the message—he’s the medium and the messenger. In the words of Tropic Thunder’s Sergeant Lincoln Osiris, here the “script reads him,” not the other way around. There’s even a moment where the director is heard from behind the camera, asking, “Can we cut to a song with you and Simran for fans?” AK glares. That would be too much. The star has spoken, without saying a word. The action is slick. Bullets-on-beat, punches as percussion—Adhik Ravichandran goes full Edgar Wright without brakes. Bro… hesitate, bro!
This week, it turned out that Ilaiyaraaja wasn’t impressed that his classic songs were used without his consent. He has demanded ₹5 crore in compensation. The producers claim they acquired the rights and have the paperwork to prove it. Technically, since older film music was often created as work-for-hire, producers are considered the legal “authors” and can assign rights to legacy labels. Morally though, it’s like throwing a party in Ilaiyaraaja’s honour without inviting him, because you already bought the merch.
Should you watch Good Bad Ugly? If you’re an Ajith fan, this is your Diwali and Pongal. If you’re not? First of all — GBU. God bless you, that is. Not in the mood for Tamil mass? Consider The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent on Netflix. Nic Cage plays Nic Cage in a Nic Cage movie about Nic Cage. A bromance between star and maker, it’s a meta action-vacation filled with callbacks and self-parody. Basically, what Ajith and Adhik are doing in Good Bad Ugly, minus the Ilaiyaraaja track and plus his blessings.
TV GOLD: ‘Black Mirror’ returns
Charlie Brooker’s dystopian tech-thriller is back on Netflix — and, surprise, it’s still depressing. But also: it is essential viewing. Last season went retro — because, let’s face it, we already live in a Black Mirror episode. This time, the show dives straight into emerging tech.
Neuralink is testing monkeys to see if consciousness can be digitised. Meta is teaching AI to read your thoughts before you post. In Japan, scientists have managed to digitise dreams to 70% accuracy, which is great news if you’ve ever wanted your nightmares in HD. What could go wrong?
Brooker offers six answers. Each episode is a standalone existential crisis. The opener begins with a couple noticing gum stuck to the ceiling while lying in bed. That tiny, gross, beautiful detail grounds us in reality, just the sort of texture we may lose once we start customising our consciousness to feel only what we want and remember only what we choose.
If you loved episode four, consider checking out Black Mirror: Thronglets, the Netflix game where you raise tiny creatures with consciousness as pets. Well, well, well… what could possibly go wrong?
HEADS UP: ‘Dying for Sex’
Starring a fantastic Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex recently dropped on JioHotstar. Don’t be misled by the title—yes, there’s sex and nudity, but that’s not the point. Adapted from a popular podcast, this sex comedy follows the journey of a stage-four cancer patient determined to tick everything off her sex bucket list.
In a support group that seems oddly upbeat, Molly (Williams) asks, “Is it a fun cancer?” She’s told they’re early stagers. “They don’t want to see us. They find us scary. They see us as ghosts.” Depressed with her own group, she infiltrates the ‘fun’ group pretending she’s not in stage four. What follows is a darkly comic, tender series that balances pathos with wit—think 50/50 but without the feel-good ending.
Dying for Sex also rethinks conventional ideas of sex. As one character asks, “Normal sex? Who decides what that is?” It’s kink-and-fetish-positive, and takes a critical look at the legacy of shows like Sex and the City, even blaming Samantha for promoting heteronormative frameworks.
Fair warning: this one’s not for everyone. Stories about cancer, death, and letting go can be cathartic but also triggering. Watch it when you’re ready—and ideally with a friend.
‘Chhorii 2’: Horror in the Real World
Wes Craven once said: “The best horror films are the ones where the monsters are real — the kind you read about in the newspaper.”
Chhorii 2, just out on Prime, fits the bill. The first film tackled female infanticide. This sequel focuses on the horrors faced by the girl child—and the chilling hold of superstition and blind faith. It’s a bit loud for home viewing, but gorgeously shot and tight enough to hold attention. Nushrratt Bharuccha gets a meaty part, joined by Soha Ali Khan in a sequel that’s basic in storytelling but good-intentioned in messaging. Not subtle, but effective—because the real horror here isn’t ghosts, it’s the world that still clings to the dark ages.
Quick Picks
Hacks is back with a new season on JioHotstar. Last season ended with the protégé pulling off blackmail to force the mentor’s hand. This time, the sparring is sharper, and from the first couple of episodes, it looks like the endgame is near. The question remains: will their working relationship survive?
Published – April 18, 2025 02:07 pm IST
