Review
"Toaster" is a bizarre, high-energy rollercoaster that tries to blend dark comedy, crime thriller, and action into one chaotic package. Directed by Vivek Daschaudary, the film centers on a miserly old man (played with manic intensity by Rajkummar Rao) who gifts a seemingly ordinary toaster at a wedding, only to become obsessed with retrieving it when he realizes it holds a hidden fortune. What follows is a bloody, laugh-out-loud romp through suburban chaos, as the toaster changes hands in increasingly violent ways. The premise is absurd, but the film commits fully to its madness, never winking at the audience. The cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran uses tight, claustrophobic shots during the action sequences, making every slapstick punch and gunshot feel both comedic and jarring. The pacing is relentless—the first act sets up the obsession quickly, but the middle sags slightly as subplots involving a corrupt cop (Upendra Limaye) and a nosy neighbor (Archana Puran Singh) are introduced. The musical score by Amit Trivedi is a mix of upbeat, quirky tunes and sudden, screeching strings that heighten the tonal whiplash. Rao is the standout, delivering a performance that swings from pathetic to terrifying within a single scene. Sanya Malhotra, as the bride caught in the crossfire, provides a grounded counterpoint, though her character is underwritten. The film's biggest strength is its willingness to be weird and violent without apology, but it sometimes forgets to make the chaos coherent.
Pros
- ✓Rajkummar Rao's fearless, physically demanding performance—his manic energy and ability to switch from comedic desperation to cold-blooded menace in a heartbeat is the film's engine.
- ✓The inventive, Rube Goldberg-esque action sequences, like a kitchen brawl involving a blender and a rolling pin, are genuinely fresh and choreographed with precision.
- ✓Abhishek Banerjee's scene-stealing turn as a hapless pawnshop owner, delivering deadpan one-liners that land perfectly amid the carnage.
Cons
- ✗The script overstuffs the narrative with too many supporting characters, leading to a muddled second act where the toaster's journey gets lost in side plots that go nowhere.
- ✗The tonal shifts between slapstick comedy and graphic violence feel jarring rather than seamless, leaving some scenes feeling mismatched and undermining the emotional stakes.
"Toaster" is a messy, audacious experiment that will either delight you with its unhinged creativity or exhaust you with its lack of discipline. It's not a great film, but it's a memorable one. The central performance by Rajkummar Rao is a tour de force of physical comedy and dramatic intensity, and the action set pieces are genuinely inventive. However, the bloated plot and uneven tone prevent it from being a cohesive success. If you're looking for a safe, polished comedy, look elsewhere. But if you have a taste for the weird, the violent, and the unpredictable, this toaster might just pop up with some surprises. It's a cult classic in the making, but not a mainstream crowd-pleaser.
🎯 Who Should Watch
Fans of dark comedies like 'The Death of Stalin' or 'In Bruges' who enjoy high-concept, violent humor, and viewers who appreciate Rajkummar Rao's versatility.
⭐ Standout Elements
Rajkummar Rao's chameleonic performance and the film's unapologetically weird, violent set pieces that refuse to play it safe.
🎬 Overall Impact
A must-watch film that delivers on both entertainment and emotional depth.
📽️ This film represents solid filmmaking that deserves your attention.
About the Reviewer
Rajesh Kumar is a entertainment journalist with a passion for Indian cinema, covering Bollywood and South Indian films.
