Overview
A haunting exploration of masculinity and isolation unfolds in a summer retreat.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- intimate
- tense
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Konkona Sen Sharma's assured, sensitive debut for its layered characterization, measured filmmaking, and haunting portrait of a young man damaged by an empathy-deficient world.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Shutu's isolation is intensified by the casual humiliations and indifference of the adults around him.
Shutu struggles with conflicted ideas of masculinity and his place within the social world.
The family environment surrounds Shutu with people while repeatedly deepening his alienation.
The film builds haunting tension through callous routines, interpersonal games, and emotional pressure.
Films like A Death in the Gunj, and why
The Lunchbox
shared coming-of-age drama, emotional isolation, and quietly devastating family dynamics
Masaan
shared sensitive character study, social pressure, and melancholic atmosphere
The Celebration
shared claustrophobic family gathering, psychological tension, and buried resentment
Movie Details
- Director
- Konkona Sen Sharma
- Release Date
- 2016-09-09
- Runtime
- 110 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (61)
Cast
- Vikrant Massey
- Ranvir Shorey
- Kalki Koechlin
- Tillotama Shome
- Gulshan Devaiah
- Tanuja Samarth
- Om Puri
- Jim Sarbh
- Arya Sharma
- Ashok Pathak
Common questions
- What is A Death in the Gunj about?
- A sensitive young man’s struggle with masculinity and belonging curdles into tragedy amid a family circle that mistakes cruelty for play.
- What is A Death in the Gunj like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Death in the Gunj as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Death in the Gunj violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in A Death in the Gunj as mild.
- What did critics think of A Death in the Gunj?
- Critics broadly praised Konkona Sen Sharma's assured, sensitive debut for its layered characterization, measured filmmaking, and haunting portrait of a young man damaged by an empathy-deficient world.
- Which films are like A Death in the Gunj?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lunchbox, Masaan, and The Celebration.
- How long is A Death in the Gunj?
- A Death in the Gunj runs 110 minutes.
