Pretty to look at, but slow and emotionally distant where it counts.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for Fireflies skews negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding it difficult to engage with its characters and narrative. Where praise exists, it tends to focus on the film's visual craft, sincere performances, and its artistically shot, naturalistic tone. The most consistent criticism across reviews is that the film prioritizes craft over storytelling, with a sluggish pace, meandering dialogue, and an emotional detachment that leaves audiences indifferent to the characters on screen.
1 not-rated review isn't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 13 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
There are patches which feel well –observed, especially when they are based in Mumbai's swish spots—pretty people talking about London flats, and well-attired investment bankers in their offices with a view. And, towards the end, when the reason for the bad blood between the brothers becomes apparent, the outlines of a plot become discernible, and you feel something there.
Film review ·
FIREFLIES is different. It's brilliant. It's coming of age cinema.
Film review ·
Fireflies is an imperfect film about flawed characters who disguise their spiritual ennui in tailored postures of sophistication.It's not a great film. But it's sincere and a largely well-crafted piece of cinema about fractured lives frozen in compromised relationships.
Film review ·
Fireflies beautifully sums up the concept of coming around in life and its Cecilia Ahern-ish tone of optimistic view of tackling unrequited love is what works as the film's USP. The brilliant performances of Arjun and Rahul reigns but in the end the flawed beauty of the film has an uncompromising flow in it. It is not a brilliant movie but is definitely worth a watch for its tone and pitch.
Film review ·
Fireflies is a brave effort, natural and languid for most parts. However, it fails to glow through its foreseeable conflicts and layers, and ends up being a statement in craft over storytelling.
Film review ·
Fireflies is a well-developed story with a new concept, strong dialogues and an adept cast. However, its slow pace and intense scenes might comes across as bland and uninteresting for people who do not enjoy parallel cinema. However, if you are free this weekend, go watch this film for its refreshing plot and enthralling presentation.
Film review ·
A painstakingly slow narrative fails to engage your senses...
Film review ·
It's only after intermission that the story picks a bit of a pace and ambles to a more effective arena. But you still keep guessing what's going on; that's the beauty of this film. It lacks the punch but keeps you glued.
Film review ·
Overall, the 'darkness' stays on for way too long, thanks to the troubled characters and their complicated relationships. If you are attracted to such melancholia, go for this one.
Film review ·
It looks good. But it doesn't really keep you interested in the goings-on. You couldn't care less about any of the characters. And that's always a bad sign.
Film review ·
The well-meaning plot of Fireflies is totally wasted for a singular lack of imagination and the over-dependence on stereotypes . Skip this one, unless you are looking for a depressing movie that only confirms to all norms of cliches in the name of an Indie film.
Film review ·
Fireflies is is one giant cesspool of sadness and agony that is ever-expanding and will engulf every barely happy soul it can get its hand on...
Film review ·
This film is shot artistically but it doesn't succeed in the craft of storytelling. It meanders along with fickle dialogue and long silences that just don't make sense. It's a classic case of superlative ambition foiled by bad writing and filmmaking.
From our readers
1 rating · user score 5.0
Fireflies, a film by a debutant director Sabal Singh Shekhawat, is an offbeat movie. The concepts of broken relationships, misunderstandings, passion, extra-marital relationships, getting back to past flames, free spirits to live, the philosophies of a life are all projected in this movie. But somewhere, the whole plot gets lost due to very slow tempo, loosely connected sequences, and also due to pitch of the dialogues being lower than that of the background music at times. The movie begins with the narration of Manda who introduces Shiv (Rahul Khanna) and Rana (Arjun Mathur) as her brothers. The opening scene has all three of them trying to catch and play with fireflies. Shiv and Rana are not in good terms with each other due to a misunderstanding in regard to a critical incident which happened in the past. Shiv is an IIM product and a successful investment banker, whereas Rana, in spite of being a law graduate, does odd jobs viz. that of mechanic or bartender etc. Shiv is married to a wealthy girl Maya (Aadya Bedi), but also gets into secret relationship with his ex-flame Sharmila (Shivani Ghai) when they bumped into each other after a long gap. On the other side Rana gets into a relationship with free-spirited writer Michelle (Monica Dogra) who comes to taste wine while he was in his job as a bartender. Later, both Shiv and Rana lose their love in different manner. That is when they again come back to their roots. Are they able to sort out the differences? Are they able to forego the past and move on in life? Where is Manda? What happens to Shiv's marriage? What was the whole concept of this movie? Was it to explore the estranged brother's journey to escape from each other in their own manner? Or, it was to project brothers' different paths. What played fireflies in their lives - Instant gratification, success, wealth, love, passion, lust…? Was the motto all about projecting disintegrated relationships? A philosophy of life is discussed: If one gets lost, still, he / she must keep walking. The world is round, and one would definitely find his / her way. Fireflies deserved a treatment which could have given this movie much more clarity, depth and intensity.
Credits
Hindi films like Fireflies
Dangal
2016
Kapoor & Sons
2016
Stanley Ka Dabba
2011
Nil Battey Sannata
2016
Paa
2009
I Am Kalam
2011
Arjun: The Warrior Prince
2012
Gattu
2012
Chillar Party
2011
Delhi Safari
2012
This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
