Yes, the idea of digital content is to experiment, explore unique or seemingly bizarre concepts. But with platforms like Netflix, the standards have been set high and it cannot become a dumping ground for failed experiments (Bard of Blood, Drive and point in case  House Arrest)

What we have here is the concept of ‘hikikomori’ – a Japanese societal phenomenon of isolation. Great idea, but does that make a great movie?  Far from it.

The house is the hero, everyone else is a sidekick. It is aesthetic, scrubbed clean and very tastefully kept.  There is a Robot for cleaning and X box for company, making isolation look almost tempting, but only ‘look’. There is no other dimension to this 100 minutes too long drama.

The protagonist is a guy who has willingly locked himself up in his posh flat for over nine months now. He works, eats, and entertains in the luxury of his own company other than some occasional intruders. Superficially the characters look intriguing, you want to invest in their story, but sadly they lack any depth.  The cast is full of seasoned web series actors (Ali Faizal, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Jim Sarbh), hence the performances are effortless but nothing can make up for the meandering plot.

The intent of the plot is so inconsistent that it’s impossible to tag it to any genre.

It could have been a black comedy, a psychology thriller, a light take on a heavy subject of urban isolation. But it’s none. It’s just a pretty frame with no cause.

It is a rare Netflix original which isn’t even worth your free time.

Cutting Rating – 1.5/5