Rajesh M Selva’s The Game (You Never Play Alone) has a strong beginning keeping the viewers invested for 2 thirds of the narrative. Things though start stagnating from the middle episodes with underdeveloped villains and also the gaming portions. Nevertheless, this Tamil web series throws light on important issues like data tracking and how technology in the wrong hands can be a very harmful tool. It also helps that Shraddha Srinath is in excellent form getting into the skin of the role
Starcast: Shraddha Srinath, Santhosh Prathap, Chandini Tamilarasan and others
Genre: Thriller/drama
Writer: Deepthi Govindarajan
Director: Rajesh M Selva
Music: Simon K. King
Cinematography: Akilesh Kathamuthu
Producers: Sameer Nair and Pramod Cheruvalath
Production Company: Applause Entertainment
No of episodes: 7
Streaming site: Netflix
The growing age of technology is both a Boone and bane for the current times. In one way technology has made our lives easier in connecting with people far away and also the vast information helping in increase of our knowledge. However, this massive digital age also comes with major side effects. One of this includes losing connect with the real world and also data impeachment. Numerous movies have come on this topic whether its the 2010 American Drama The Social Network or the two Ananya Pandey’s starrers Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and CTRL. The Game (You Never Play Alone) is the latest addition to this genre. This Shraddha Sranath starrer is a remake of the French show Le Jeu.
A still from the web series
The broad storyline of this seven-episode show follows the tumultuous journey of Shraddha Srinath’s Kavya. She is a talented game developer alongside her husband Anoop (Santhosh Prathap). Both work at a leading game company called Moon bolt. Their professional lives are going well but Kavya often faces scrutiny on the account of her gender. There is this constant pressure of proving her skills in a male dominated office.
Things take a traumatic turn at an award night. She is attacked by an unknown group of men and is left traumatized both physically and mentally. Chandini Tamilrasan plays officer Bhanumati. She gets deep into the case revealing a series of chilling incidents connected to online abuse and misogyny. Running alongside this is the track of Kavya’s niece Tara. Tara becomes the target of online predators. How all these are interconnected forms the basic premise.
Chandi Tamilrasan as police officer
A strong aspect of The Game (That You Never Play Alone) is the technical department. Cinematographer Akhilesh Kathamuthu does an excellent job in capturing the intensity of urban life as well as the scenes of online harassment. The psychological horror is palpable with appropriately lit frames. Sudharshan’s background music too enhances the tension filled moments. As viewers you feel a certain anxiety on what will happen next especially till the mid part.
Director Rajesh M Selva also deserves credit for how he has explored the topics of social media abuse which includes misogyny along with the challenges faced by women in professional spaces. The last one comes through a jealous colleague. The subplot of the jealous colleague and how this leads to several things is underdeveloped nevertheless the aspect of male ego being hurt is an important one.
The character of Shraddha Srinath coupled with her performance is another major ace especially the emotional parts. The way Shraddha portrays the emotions of resilience, vulnerability and solid inner strength is a delight to watch. She is the glue holding the show even when things start to fall apart.
Santhosh Prathap brings in a certain warmth as a husband who stands tall with Kavya in spite of some tensions in the marriage. The tender moments between the two are a delight to watch with Anoop giving major husband goals. Chandini Tamilrasan too does a fine job in balancing professional diligence with empathy. This trio play a crucial role in making the show engaging.
A tender moment between the two
As already mentioned The Game (Which You Never Play Alone) keeps the viewers invested for 2 thirds. However, things start stagnating while exploring the motives of the villain gang. This track needed more solid writing. As a result, the built-up tension somewhat dilutes. Also the gaming background needed more depth.
There is a surface level treatment with the glossy backdrop. More insight into the functioning of the gaming world would have enhanced the proceedings. These two aspects stop the show from soaring higher.
Final word: In spite of a muddled second act and a tame climax The Game (Which You Never Play Alone) makes for an important watch especially for those who are into digital thrillers.
