Don’t Blame Karma! review: Aesthetically pleasing yet unappealing narrative

Don’t Blame Karma! is a Netflix comedy about a budding fashion designer Sara who is convinced that she is cursed with bad karma. When her sister and high school crush get engaged, this claim is put to trial to find out if her misadventures are a result of the curse or not.

Story

Sara is a souvenir store owner in Merida. Her life is packed with mishaps in contrast to that of Lucy, her perfect supermodel sister.

Lucy ends up getting engaged and at a family get-together reveals that her fiancé is a famous singer Aaron who also happens to be Sara’s high school crush and best friend. 

Meanwhile, Sara’s mother decides to see people outside her marriage as her husband wouldn’t put in the effort anymore.

Sara and Aaron reminisce about their school days and support one another in their career endeavours. Both fall for each other once again but don’t act towards it, owing to them being in committed yet unhappy relationships.

A confused Lucy contemplates getting married to Aaron and finally takes a decision that works in favour of everyone. Sara, as a result, goes on to change her perception of life and cultivates a healthy relationship with her sister.

Performances

Aislinn Derbez and Renata Notni are convincing as sisters- Sara and Lucy. Their pairing is one of the pluses in the film as they compliment each other on screen. 

Gil Cerezo as the likeable and charming singer Aaron also delivers a decent performance. Derbez and Cerezo’s dynamic is believable and looks authentic.

The supporting cast including the parents, the assistant, and the boyfriend Roberto, often fall flat due to their underdeveloped characters.

Positives

Don’t Blame Karma! has all the popular elements that appeal to the young audience, from love triangles and weddings to glamour and Influencer/Instagram culture. 

The production and costume design rank on the top with exotic locations and aesthetic fashion.

The background score is well-tuned and peaceful. The look of every frame is bright and beautiful with vibrant skies and pink Flamingos, the colours are pleasing to the eye.

The film also touches on progressive ideas like open marriages and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Negatives

The story falters in going hand in hand with the technical positives. Despite being an under 90-minutes film, the narrative lags and fails to capture the viewer’s attention.

Another fitting example of clichés with no original concept not working anymore, the film only relies on flashy events like parties, fashion show, and picturesque weddings, instead of focusing on the substance.

The humour is cringy. Contributing characters like Roberto and the designer come across stupid. 

Don’t Blame Karma! further suffers, with an anti-climactic second half and no character development.

Verdict

Don’t Blame Karma! is a lazy watch and does not require a high intellectual investment. The film’s weak story reflects on the uninteresting characters. Though the look and feel of the film is appealing, the story is not engaging. Perhaps a shorter run time could have offered a better viewing experience.

Rating: 1/5


Also Read: Rainbow: Release date, cast, synopsis, teaser & more

More from The Envoy Web