TheReviewMonk
Setters backdrop

Setters

3 May 2019Hindi2h 6m
DramaThriller
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 8 scored reviews · 1 not rated

A capable cast lost in a slow, thinly written exam-racket caper.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Ensemble cast and milieu
  • Criticised: Weak writing, overlong execution

Audience

No user ratings yet.

Not streaming in India

Top cast

Full cast & crew

Critic consensus

What 9 critics are saying

Critical reception for Setters is largely negative to mixed, with most reviewers finding the film underwhelming despite its promising premise. A few critics appreciated its ensemble cast and its grounding in the social realities of India's examination malpractice culture, with some comparing it favorably to a heist-style caper. However, the dominant criticism across reviews is weak writing and an overlong, tedious execution that fails to generate suspense or explore its subject with sufficient depth. The film is widely seen as one that squanders its potential.

How the 8 scores spread

1 not-rated review isn't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 9 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

From the papers

Critic reviews (9)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    The film remains a middling affair because it asks many important questions but answers only a handful with any degree of clarity.

  2. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Setters lays all its cards on the table in the first act itself: the follow-up is over-long and tedious. And, barring a few sharp moments, flat.

  3. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    A Sharp Comment on Indian Education System...Setters is designed like an Oceans 11 kind of caper where the stakes are not just a heist idea, but the education system of India.

  4. Sify

    Film review ·

    But then again, this could be a wildly profound reading of a film that wants to be mischievous enough to be "India's Oceans 11". It succeeds in being that, and then some more.

  5. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    A thriller devoid of any sort of pressure, falls flat and thus feels never ending. Solid writing would have done wonders for a film like this that had the potential to be gripping.

  7. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    In terms of concept and cast, Setters has a lot going for it. In its execution though, it does not quite add up.

  8. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Even if Setters shows no inclination to understand the dark desperation that drives parents to buy marks for undeserving children, it could've made a little more effort to be sly or suspenseful,

  9. The Hindu

    Film review ·

    Chaudhary gets the milieu, lingo and the social nuances and hierarchies right and has a fabulous ensemble of actors, some in smaller roles, but the film doesn't hit a high note. It remains facile rather than probing or provocative. It's also too protracted to hold your interest. Incidentally, two of the actors here—Jameel Khan and Ishita Datta—can also be seen in the other release of the week, Blank.

Credits

Cast & crew

Cast

Cinematography

You may also like

Hindi films like Setters

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.