Dopamine @2.22 Review : Smartphone addiction drama falls short

Dopamine @2.22 Movie Synopsis: Dopamine @ 2.22 follows seven people, each with their own addictions, who become entangled in a murder set to occur at 2:22 PM. The film explores how smartphones warp us into our own microcosms, and to what ends this dopamine dependency leads.

Dopamine @2.22 Movie Review: Dopamine @ 2.22 brings together the stories of seven smartphone addicts whose lives collide because of an upcoming murder. From Instagram-obsessed couples to gossip-mongering moms and gambling addicts, the film portrays various facets of digital dependency. The murder, set to occur at 2:22 PM, serves as a plot device to explore how our devices can warp us into isolated microcosms.

Dopamine has some good ideas, but its execution leaves much to be desired. While some performances feel genuine, especially when characters are interacting one to one, group interactions often come across as stilted and unnatural. Each person represents a different flavor of smartphone addiction. Like, you've got a scene where a fan of an instragram influencer Mahesh goes to her place and harasses her, but yet she hangs around and feeds into his frenzy. Feels a bit out there.

Dhirav’s direction shows promise, especially considering the limited resources. The film boasts crisp visuals and decent sound quality, proving technically competent despite confined locations.

While the film raises valid points about our digital dependencies, it struggles to deliver its message effectively. The disparate storylines never quite coalesce into a satisfying whole.

For a direct-to-OTT release, it’s a watchable effort that might resonate with viewers who see glimpses of themselves or their friends in the characters.

Written By: Abhinav Subramanian