Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The franchise anthology structure on streaming platforms has increasingly felt like a double-edged sword—a format offering creative freedom that frequently suffers from narrative whiplash and quality inconsistency. Netflix’s Lust Stories 3 proves to be no exception to this trend. As an installment designed to probe the complexities of modern desire, passion, and betrayal, the anthology mostly sputters out, weighed down by formulaic setups, mismatched chemistry, and sluggish writing, only to be momentarily resurrected by a singular, brilliantly crafted piece of short filmmaking.
The anthology opens on an underwhelming note with Vikramaditya Motwane’s segment centering on partner-swapping, featuring Konkona Sen Sharma, Radhika Apte, Abhishek Banerjee, and Vijay Varma. While the premise carries the latent potential for sharp socio-psychological friction, the execution lands with a thud. For a short centered on desire, it remains remarkably lifeless, offering zero genuine sensuality and settling for a predictable, morally safe conclusion. Despite a stellar line-up, the talent feels bizarrely underutilized: Apte relies on familiar streaming tropes, Sen Sharma is deprived of her signature spark, Banerjee feels completely inert, and Varma is entirely squandered in a role that gives him nothing to chew on.
Where the anthology genuinely soars—and arguably justifies its existence—is in the brilliant second film directed by Kiran Rao. Centering on dynamic performances by Gurfateh Pirzada and newcomer Sana Thampi, Rao delivers a masterclass in weaving genuine sensuality with narrative intrigue. Avoiding the cheap, exploitative pitfalls common to the genre, the sequence captures a deeply aesthetic, intense, and tasteful chemistry between its leads. Beyond its physical allure, Rao constructs a tight, suspenseful narrative propelled by sharp plot turns involving hidden money, culminating in a brilliantly written final beat anchored by a clever line about perfume. Pirzada displays impressive range and magnetic screen presence, while Thampi brings a fiery, alluring energy to the screen, marking this as the anthology’s undisputed high point.
Regrettably, the anthology swiftly loses its footing following Rao’s high note. The third segment featuring Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan retreats into derivative territory. While Fazal brings an energetic intensity—reminiscent of his rugged Mirzapur persona—the segment relies heavily on overt, aggressive physical sequences, including an elevator encounter, without offering enough narrative substance or emotional texture from Madan to balance the dynamic.
The final chapter, starring Siddharth and Aditi Rao Hydari, marks the absolute nadir of the collection. Hampered by a complete absence of screen chemistry, forced accents, and an uninspired storyline, the segment collapses under its own affectations. Unintentionally comical moments—such as awkward costuming choices and forced attempts at smoldering posturing—render the narrative tedious rather than seductive, leaving the anthology to end on a thoroughly dull note.
Ultimately, Lust Stories 3 remains a frustratingly mixed bag. It is a collection where high-caliber directors and marquee actors largely coast on autopilot, leaving Kiran Rao’s wonderfully sleek, suspenseful, and sensuous chapter to carry the weight of an otherwise mundane streaming venture.
