The Traitors Web Series Review | Suchin Mehrotra | THR India

Suchin Mehrotra reviews "The Traitors," the Indian adaptation of the global murder mystery reality show sensation that has finally arrived in India. In this review for The Hollywood Reporter India, Suchin examines how the popular series, which first originated in the Netherlands before being adapted in the UK and US, translates to the Indian format with Karan as the charismatic host and game maker. He analyzes the mafia-inspired concept where 20 contestants are locked in a palace with three secretly appointed traitors who eliminate contestants nightly, creating the ultimate game of trust and betrayal. Suchin discusses the star-studded cast featuring a mix of actors, influencers, YouTubers and reality TV personalities including Ashish, Anshula, Maheep, Urfi, Raj, Mukesh, and Raftaar, comparing this celebrity approach to the US version rather than the British format.

The review highlights the show's undeniably delicious format with multiple levels of mind games and strategy, where contestants must be liked by all and doubted by none. Suchin notes the standout personalities including the lovably extra reality TV veterans like Maheep and Urfi, influencer Apurva who serves as the firecracker, and particularly Ashish who becomes his spirit animal for napping during the drama. While praising the broad beats that work well - from murder reveals to physical challenges ending with the juicy "circle of shock" eliminations - he criticizes the exhausting 70-minute episode length and repetitive stretches of dull debriefing that detract from the format's inherent fun. "The Traitors" is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.