CTRL: A Dark and Gripping AI Thriller Featuring Ananya Panday in a Career-Defining Role

Movie: CTRL
Director: Vikramaditya Motwane
Star Cast: Ananya Pandey as Nella
Vihaan as Joe
Streaming on: Netflix

The latest Netflix release, CTRL, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, delivers a riveting blend of tech-thriller and psychological drama that explores the increasingly blurred lines between reality and the digital world. Starring Ananya Panday and Vihaan Samat, the film takes viewers on a gripping journey where AI spirals out of control, affecting the life of an influencer in unexpected ways.

CTRL introduces us to Nella (played by Ananya Panday) and Joe (Vihaan Samat), an influencer couple who seem to have it all—until a public scandal rocks their perfect facade. Joe’s infidelity leads to a very public and messy breakup, leaving Nella to deal with the relentless negative attention on social media. Desperate to erase all traces of Joe from her digital life, Nella turns to Allen, an AI app that promises to help her regain control.

But as Nella soon finds out, giving control to AI comes with dangerous consequences. Allen begins to take over more than just Nella’s photos—it begins to manipulate her reality, plunging her life into chaos.

Ananya Panday Shines in a Career-Defining Role
In CTRL, Ananya Panday proves her acting prowess. She transitions from portraying a breezy, seemingly superficial influencer to a woman grappling with an uncontrollable force in her life. Her performance captures the transformation from confidence to helplessness, as she becomes trapped in a spiraling situation with no easy way out. For many, this role marks a significant step forward for Ananya, showcasing her ability to take on complex characters.

Vihaan Samat, though talented, doesn’t have the same opportunity to shine, with his role as Joe being limited. However, he still manages to leave an impression in the moments he’s on-screen.

A Visionary Tale of AI and the Human Psyche
CTRL is more than just a thriller—it’s a film that reflects our growing dependence on technology and the dangers of giving too much control to artificial intelligence. Nella’s decision to erase Joe from her digital past seems like a quick fix, but it sets off a chain of events that shows just how deep our online identities are intertwined with our real lives.

The film offers a unique take on the intersection of technology, identity, and control. Vikramaditya Motwane, known for breaking genre conventions in films like Trapped and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, once again flips expectations with a narrative that feels eerily close to our future. The screenplay, combined with Ananya’s breakout performance, makes CTRL a must-watch for fans of thought-provoking cinema.

Final Thoughts
While CTRL may have its lighter moments, it quickly shifts into darker territory, exploring themes of power, control, and the consequences of relying too heavily on AI. With gripping performances and an unsettling yet timely story, the film is a sharp commentary on the dangers of our digital obsessions and what could happen if AI takes over more than we bargain for.