The Plot
The Locked web series‘ plot revolves around the intriguing Dr. Anand (Satyadev), a skilled neurosurgeon well-known for his compassionate approach to patients. He conducts a specialized study in the field of medical science and takes a one-of-a-kind course of action. His house gets unexpectedly broken in by two females one day, and the plot events start to ensue. Furthermore, when his coworker Misbah and a cop enter the residence, things become even crazier. A bizarre chain of events occurs, revealing a surprising reality about Anand. The Locked web series is formed by what that reality is and how it impacts the people residing in the home.
The Web Series
The online series follows Dr. Anand Chakravarthy (a brilliant Satyadev Kancharana), a neurosurgeon, and what happens when he becomes imprisoned within his own home. Meanwhile, Vaishnavi (Samyuktha Hornad) and Padmini Bhaama (Sri Lakshmi) devise schemes to steal money from Anand’s home. As they are apprehended by Anand, the unraveling mystery about the three people who are now confined within the same house begins. The seven-episode series begins slowly, attempting to introduce the main characters. Anand Chakravarthy is shown as a great neurosurgeon with many ways to save a patient. Vaishnavi and her colleagues devise intriguing and feasible schemes to steal money.
The goal of director Pradeep to create a genre-bending series should be commended. Locked web series contains elements from several genres, and none of them feels out of place. Locked appears to be a gloomy thriller on the surface. Still, it may also be interpreted as a psychological crime thriller, a chamber drama, a slasher thriller with hints of deception and emotional components. Aside from a sluggish screenplay, certain logical flaws may turn you off. The first three episodes are sluggish, but the show gains up steam in the fourth. The major surprise near the end of the series will have you gasping.
Acting Performances
Satyadev Kancharana, Samyukta Hornad, and Sri Lakshmi provide outstanding performances. Satyadev has a variety of hues in Locked web series, and his expressions are perfect for portraying the atmosphere. Each character, particularly Satyadev’s, has received a great deal of attention to detail.
Samyukta Hornad’s expression conveys a sense of powerlessness quite effectively. However, it is veteran actress Sri Lakshmi’s seasoned performance that will take you by surprise. Her portrayal of Anand Chakravarthy is on par with Satyadev’s near-perfect portrayal of Anand Chakravarthy.
Cinematography
On the technological aspect, the online series excels. Nijai Gowthaman’s cinematography is a major addition to the play, primarily staged in the dark. The choice of colors also contributes to the series’ elevated atmosphere. Furthermore, the art department has done an outstanding job with the brains on which the entire show is based. The jumpscares in Locked are excellent, and the soundtrack matches the story by heightening the thrill element. While the climax and pre-climax events keep you fascinated, there are several unresolved issues near the finish. The Locked web series concludes on a high note, leaving the possibility for a second season.
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The Moral Dilemma
Underneath the choppy writing and plot, the mini-series appears to pose a moral quandary to the audience. Is it justifiable to conduct something evil for the greater good if the chaos it creates is left in its wake? But, when you connect the connections and contemplate the question, the murderer is exposed, and you wonder why you bothered. Beginning each episode with a background and tying it into the character’s motivation in the present is a clever storytelling method. Still, Pradeep takes far too long setting up his characters, especially because not all of them are as intriguing as Dr. Anand.
But what does not work is the tone adjustment between each installment to suit the character’s stride, even though Dr. Anand is the “protagonist” of this narrative. None of the backstories is compelling, and several verges on sob-fests and are meaninglessly dark and tear-inducing.
Shortcomings
Compared to some of the other Telugu products on the web, Locked web series certainly performs better and is even braver, and Pradeep should be commended for that. However, as the episodes go, things become increasingly strange, making it difficult to persevere. All that gore will undoubtedly satisfy horror aficionados who enjoy the genre. Still, the way it all finishes feels meaningless, even tiresome. Prashanth Srinivas does an excellent job with the sound, as does Nijai Gowthaman with the cinematography.
The series’ dark mood and gloomy lighting convey the tone nicely, although it drags a lot. Scenes attempt to repeat the same message again and over. In one scene, we see that the protagonist, Dr. Anand Chakravarthy, is uninterested in meals when assigned duties. His supervisor refers to him as a miracle worker, but he is unconcerned with the accolades. He doesn’t mind getting called into many operations in a row, and he works like a beast. However, as soon as the twist is revealed, the designers lose sight of this element of him. The character motive is also not well developed.
The climax isn’t very memorable either. Thrillers are typically created on a lower budget than other genres. Thus the impact of the murder, action, and motive become critical to engaging audiences. Because the primary narrative isn’t developed to its full potential, it is viewed as a subplot. Also, the screenplay would have been tighter with fewer characters because they add nothing to the plot, not even a thrill factor. Characters such as the police officer, the doctor, and his wife might have been eliminated as well. They do not affect the plot in any way. The protagonist may come out in the open, with other characters inciting or aggravating him.
The point is that the authors and filmmakers appear to have lost concentration in attempting to include everything, and the main narrative ended up being left untouched or just described at a surface level. Maybe they’ll fix it in season 2 if they have the chance.
What saved Locked web series…
On the other hand, Locked web series gives the effect it does because of the novelty of it all in Telugu and by staying loyal to the tale it wants to convey. Satyadev’s performance carries the mini-series, allowing him to show off all of his character’s facets with amazing ease. Sri Lakshmi, Samyuktha, Keshav, and Inturi all do well, but Abeeram and Bindu leave you wanting more. If only Pradeep had dug a bit more into his protagonist’s fascinating psyche. Though the series begins slowly and the writing is uninteresting, it becomes riveting. It makes for a good watch once it hits the main narrative.
