Raat Akeli Hai - The Bansal Murders

"A few of the bits and pieces feel a bit contrived, but not enough to take the enjoyment away from a film which has a terrific sense of time and place, and a crime in which everyone has stakes."

"More gore, less grip in Nawazuddin Siddiqui's second coming as small-town cop. The best written character remains Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Jatil, still moving his mouth in the way he did in the first film, as the moral centre of the film."

"Star turns from Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte elevate this classic whodunnit with strong performances, while the supporting cast delivers equally impressive work across the board."

"Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Revathi build a brilliant world with Raat Akeli Hai 2 and this murder mystery is the best of 2025."

"Nawazuddin Siddiqui is indeed one of the finest craftsmen in the entertainment industry"

"It is a sobering, intelligent thriller that confirms this franchise is less about murder mysteries and more about the moral loneliness of those who choose to see clearly. Nawazuddin doesn't play Jatil as a heroic truth-seeker; he plays him as a man who knows the cost of truth and pursues it anyway. It is one of his finest performances in recent years, grounded, humane and quietly furious."

"A sincere, slow-burn sequel elevated by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, but short on the tension that made the original compelling. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's quiet intensity powers an ambitious but tame thriller."

"Despite many attempts of Bollywood at whodunnit thrillers, this film holds its unique identity. All said and done, Raat Akeli Hai is one of the better whodunnit thrillers out there. Despite the dark undertone throughout, there aren't really any dull moments. An intriguing watch!"

"A sincere, slow-burn sequel elevated by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, but short on the tension that made the original compelling."

"Raat Akeli Hai 2 is watchable, but considering the strength of its predecessor, it could have been more engaging, with a greater sense of urgency and a sharper, cleverer story. The Bansal Murders isn't as sharp as its predecessor, but still stands as an engaging standalone film, with a murder mystery that keeps you interested throughout."

"A moody whodunnit that rarely surprises. It's strong performances contrast with its predictable climax and familiar twists."

"The filmmaker transports us to the heart of Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow-Kanpur axis, spinning a sharp crime thriller with a throbbing conscience. By asking what happens when victims and perpetrators trade places, Honey brings emotional depth to the unraveling of the mystery. A refreshed Nawaz anchors the film with a restrained yet magnetic performance of an investigator navigating corruption, both within and without."