The Buckingham Murders has a strong plot and an intriguing storyline that pulls you in from the start. It weaves a suspenseful narrative that keeps you hooked until the end. The cast delivers commendable performances, and the film shows high production quality. However, it's difficult not to notice a recurring trope in Bollywood: the inclusion of religious tension, specifically between Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities. This time, the addition of these elements felt forced and detracted from an otherwise solid thriller.
It's understandable that art sometimes reflects social realities, but in The Buckingham Murders, the handling of these themes felt stereotypical and added unnecessary weight to the story. The portrayal of certain groups, particularly in a negative light, came across as a cliché, diminishing the film's uniqueness and seeming like a repetitive, almost predictable approach seen in other Indian movies. This kind of treatment might appeal to some audiences but for others, it can feel heavy-handed and repetitive.
If the film had focused solely on the mystery at its core, it could have been a remarkable addition to the thriller genre. Instead, the attempt to add layers of religious and communal strife ends up detracting from the narrative. This movie would have stood stronger without these added stereotypes, which risk overshadowing the well-executed plot and skillful acting.