Accused review: Konkona Sen Sharma delivers a powerful performance in Anubhuti Kashyap’s Netflix thriller exploring power, consent, and queer representation
Dr Khusi Pattanayak
Accused (2026) gets two things right. One, it integrates into mainstream discourse a long -overlooked issue – the pressing need to reassess existing structures and methods to examine allegations of sexual misconduct. With various genders and identities entering social space and workplace it is high time we changed our perspectives and adopted inclusive ways to understand power, accountability, and consent.
Two, it has a 40 something female at the centre of the crisis. India needs more such popular movies that revolves around older women for that in true sense will strengthen the cause of women and inclusivity.
But beyond that Accused is simply forgettable. It is a missed opportunity.
One of the most underwhelming aspects of Accused is that you almost instinctively know who is not the accused from the word go. And with each passing scene, your suspicions are confirmed; that is not an effective framework for an investigative drama.
Great performances, especially that of Konkana Sen Sharma who carries the role with conviction and commitment, cannot save this weak script. Accused takes up a problem which is unorthodox and offers a solution that is most conservative and timid.
The film makes the protagonist feel sorry for her social manners, for being too ambitious, for not being able to keep her family together, for being dominating, for being herself! This is 2026. The film is directed by a woman, about women and their problems. And the creative team decides to serve this to the audience!
Women across the globe, every single day, are made to feel miserable for being born woman. Can we not have something more powerful on screen, in the land of fiction? Why is it not possible for the woman in the story to keep her promotion and her partner? Was it because she was a woman? Why is the other key female character so submissive, so malleable? Because she is the quint essential non-working individual, and irrespective of the nature of love, there is no place for a non-earning family member in a capitalist society?
Accused does not keep you on edge like Section 375 (Hindi, 2019), it does not provide insights into relationships like Memories of March (English, 2010), nor does it serve a cause like My Brother…Nikhil (Hindi, 2005). Accused does not deliberate on the right to love like Aligarh (Hindi, 2015) nor is it a social commentary onworkplace harassment like Attam (Malayalam, 2023).
Anubhuti Kashyap’s film is too superficial. It remains shallow and lazy (just like the investigator who is appointed to review the charges). It explores the same sex spaces but through a heterosexual lens. Those unnecessary plot distractions and poor production quality do not help the script either.
Power-abuse is an interesting inclusion. The script actually makes a good point on how people in position of power regularly misuse it, not just within their professional space but way beyond it. But this comes too late in the movie; by then you do not care either about the culprit(s), or the victim(s), or the film itself.
In an ideal world, a queer thriller drama backed by Dharmatic Entertainment, helmed by powerful actors, led by Anubhuti Kashyap would have meant a memorable experience for the audience. But unfortunately, that never happened and at under two hours it feels too long.
Accused in streaming on Netflix. Watch it only if you are fan of Konkana Sen Sharma or you are doing research on representation of LGBTIQ+ community in mainstream cinema. Otherwise, do not bother.
(The author is an internationally published writer & corporate communication specialist. Views are personal)
