Mandala Murders Review: Why It Is Among the Best Series on Netflix

Mandala Murders kicks off with a haunting tempo that glues together the components of occult horror, cult conspiracies, and police procedural drama into an engrossing whole. Without a doubt, this Mandala Murders review will take you into a series that is arguably establishing itself as one of the best series on Netflix that just won’t stop working to build suspense, myth, and mystery episode by episode.

The Setup: A Dystopian Town with Ancient Roots

Set in the fictional, eerie town of Charandaspur, Mandala Murders introduces us to a ritualistic killing so ugly it feels almost prehistoric. From decapitated corpses to disembodied torsos, each death is marked with a specific signature that includes a symbolic trait, from a missing heart to a mutilation that referenced an internal saboteur.

While a lot of work must go into solving mystery after mystery, all accompanied by a court of superstition, symbols, and doomsday ritualistic rituals and shadows, CIB officer Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor) and suspended cop Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) demonstrate teamwork in their chaotic undercover investigations. This is, dare I say, the type of narrative-driven mystery storytelling that has defined the Netflix era of Best Series.

Characters and Performances: Layered, Driven, Haunted

Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor)

Making her OTT debut, Kapoor delivers a compelling portrayal of a woman torn between duty and personal trauma. Rea is a sensitive, determined person, and she is haunted by the echoes of her family’s past. Kapoor pushes Mandala Murders into deep emotional terrain—the very type of emotional depth that could help Mandala Murders to become one of the best shows on Netflix.

Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta)

Gupta transitions out of his Gullak character to become a conflicted cop, grappling with doubt and history. His Vikram isn’t ideal—but rather, he’s nuanced, imperfect, and imperative to understanding the heightened tension in the series. Reviewers have drawn attention to his dramatic evolution since his previous roles, adding to an undeniable performance that serves as the emotional center of the series.

Supporting Cast

Surveen Chawla as politician Ananya Bhardwaj exudes charismatic menace, while Shriya Pilgaonkar carries glacial conviction as cult founder Rukmini. Veteran Raghubir Yadav’s enigmatic profundity also contributes. Each actor adds gravitas to a world replete with mystery and terror and reinforces the reasons that Mandala Murders feels heavy and atmospheric.

Atmosphere & Cinematography: Framing Fear in 8 Episodes

With imagery of dusty roads and thickets of forest from Uttar Pradesh, Mandala Murders feels like it exists within dripping gothic textures, dark and beautiful. Cinematographer Shaz Mohammed captures Charandaspur as both beautiful and menacing, its shadows hiding untold evils. The back-and-forth of the flashbacks of the 1950s and a ritual awakening in the present highlights temporal ruptures in the town’s collective psyche. At this level of immersive aesthetics, Mandala Murders would have to be considered more cinematic when assembled into the Best Series on Netflix.

Story Structure & Narrative Style: A Slow-Burn Mystery

In eight episodes of roughly 40 minutes apiece, this one takes its time. It doesn’t rush or hurry; it simmers. The climactic moments ebb from turning points, not from a clock. Each episode adds a mandala component to the murders while suggesting personal ties—with Rea and Vikram in particular. The series glues together rituals, politics, faith, and betrayal.

While that may feel slow, or even sluggish at times, it’s exactly when viewers have a big brain for crime with a pinch of cerebral horror that makes Mandala Murders a touch away from being the best series on Netflix, even though at times it still drowns in its own density.

Themes Explored: Myth Versus Modernity

At its foundation, Mandala Murders contemplates belief and power. The ancient cult’s goal of resurrecting the mythological Yast, through arrangements of victims in a mandala pattern, demonstrates how far people will go to transcend. Can a set of rules for faith justify human sacrifice? Can we redeem our ancestors’ sins—or repeat them?

Rea and Vikram are weighed down by their family histories—one is an ancestor who opposed the cult, while the other is under the influence of the modern iteration of the cult. They are mired in notions of caste and patriarchy, while guilt for past generations swirls around each ritual. The layering of thought is why most reviews conclude that Mandala Murders is one of the best Netflix series for viewers who enjoy mythic thrillers that provide psychological density.

Mindblowing Climax: Spine-Tingling, Yet Untold

I will not get into specifics, but the ending provides a stunning conclusion that combines ritualistic spectacle and people stakes. The final scene takes place in an underground chamber where the cult is almost finished with their ritual. The tension builds when the symbols and legacies come together—all culminating in a moment you feel but won’t see coming. It is a fraction of a second of horror and catharsis that lingers—that is literally what (spoiler-free) makes Mandala Murders worthy of “Best Series on Netflix” discussions.

What Critics Say: Praise and Pointers

RHere are the positive and neutral highlights from popular critics’ reviews of Mandala Murders, based on reputable sources:

🌟 Positive Aspects of the Reviews

1. Firstpost – Lachmi Deb Roy

Atmospheric worldbuilding: Roy commends the series for being able to mix mythology, science and crime drama so well, especially the ominous atmosphere and the cult mythos and feel of the show.

Solid performances: Especially gives praise to Vaani Kapoor’s intense OTT debut and Vaibhav Raj Gupta’s emotionally rich performance. She unequivocally notes the story is the biggest strength of the series.

2. India Today – Anisha Rao

Ambitious premise: Describes it as a thriller “that dares to dig deep”, strongly commending thematic range and emotional depth.

Character-driven drama: She finds the emotional dilemma stemming from Kapoor and Gupta’s performances especially strong. Rao acknowledges the wavering structure, but lauds the ambition and intent.

3. Bollywood Helpline

Daring ambition: Commended the directors for taking bold creative risks.

Technical merits: Commended Shaz Mohammed’s haunting cinematography, the art direction that ends up making Charandaspur a character in its own right, score, and pacing as excellent even if the narrative became muddled towards the end. But it remains a binge-worthy mystery series for fans of the genre.

4. Movie Talkies

Good genre mix: Appreciates the seamless blend of science, belief, and detective drama.

Production execution: Despite a lower budget, the visuals, editing, and set design make it feel cinematic. The musical score ends up being a little weak, but the technical execution does grab your attention.

5. Zoom TV

Strong premise and tone: A gripping premise focused around ritual murders and an ancient cult, it balances plot and atmosphere nicely

Performance highlights: Surveen Chawla as Ananya, and Vaibhav Raj Gupta as Vikram are both praised for their emotional honesty, even when the narrative sometimes strays off course. The intrigue remains solid overall.

📝 Takeaway

Most critics commend Mandala Murders for taking narrative risks and offering a rich, occult-infused thriller experience with strong lead performances. While they acknowledge pacing issues and complexity overload, the series’ stylistic ambition and gripping premise secure its spot as a compelling watch—especially for fans of ethical mysteries, cult symbolism, and psychological depth.

Would you like selected direct quotes from these critics or a comparison with other cult thrillers on Netflix?

Why Mandala Murders Stands Out

Genre Fusion Done Boldly

It combines crime procedural, supernatural thriller, cult mythology, and political drama, so it is not easily placed.

Visual & Symbolic Depth

Each murder is ritualized; every mandala formed has a reason. Visual symbols also propel future story and character development just like dialogue.

Emotion Meets Mystery

In every episode, there are personal stakes for Rea and Vikram, which make every clue both factual and emotional.

Cultural Texture

This international offering is uniquely rooted in Indian spirituality, caste, and local politics. It has layers that trick even a wide-ranging global audience.

Climactic Punch

Night Sky does not pull punches with its ending. As legends rise again, relationships tear apart, and the endgame of ritual turns everything we thought we knew upside down—with a final punch that will jump up expectancies. It is exactly what thriller fans want to see in the Best Netflix Series without the ‘thorny effect.’

Possible Downsides

• Sometimes overstuffed: A sprawling cast and multiple timelines can feel overwhelming.
• Pacing uneven: Episodes 3–5 drag slightly before ramping back up.
• Complexity may alienate casual viewers: It rewards attention, not passive watching.

Still, if you’re willing to engage—if you enjoy solving puzzles as much as watching them unfold—these are minor trade‑offs in a journey that pays dividends in the final act.

Final Verdict: A Ritual You Should Join

In conclusion, Mandala Murders is a daring, atmospheric ride—melding ancient prophecy, detective work, and psychological tension in a way few series attempt. It creeps, then roars; it puzzles, then reveals; it weaves religion and rebellion into a tapestry of ritual and justice.

If you’re chasing the best series on Netflix right now, especially in the myth-tinged crime-thriller genre, this Mandala Murders review boldly insists: it deserves your attention. With standout performances, haunting visuals, and a climax that will echo in your mind long after the credits roll—this series is not merely watchable; it is unforgettable.

Watch This If You:

• Enjoy psychological thrillers with mythology elements
• Like Murder Mysteries with heavy Climax
• Enjoy complex narratives puzzles and coded symbolism
• Enjoy U believables tension build to a shocking ending
• Looking for Mandala Murders vibes, so probably a little closer to Asur or Ghoul, or cult dramas with mystery in the very serious shadowy aspects (similar recommendations have been made)

There’s a certain spellbinding brilliance in how the mandala motif unites murder, prophecy, and character destiny—and Mandala Murders holds that spell until the final scene.

Spoiler‑Free Wrap

• Creepy, symbolic murders escalate with chilling regularity.
• Two strong leads, both flawed and emotionally charged.
• Spectacular cinematography, weaving past and present in dusty forests and underground chambers.
• Mythic themes—faith, sacrifice, and legacy—drive characters as much as plot.
• A climax so powerful you’ll know you’ve truly watched something worth rethinking.

Have you streamed Mandala Murders yet? Watch Now Let me know your spoiler‑free reactions—did the final scene leave you speechless?

If you enjoyed this series review, make sure to check out my The Fantastic Four: First Steps movie review for more insights.