Introduction

The lush greens of Rettamugadu set the stage for Prime Video’s latest Tamil web series, ‘Snakes and Ladders’. It draws you back to an era where every shadow holds a mystery, where a simple game becomes a metaphor for life’s unpredictable journey. Through the eyes of its young protagonists, viewers are invited into a maze of suspense, dark comedy, and nostalgia.

Full Review

Snakes and Ladders, anchored in 2006, spins its tale in the fictional hill station of Rettamugadu. Here, four friends—Gilbert, Iraiyan, Sandy, and Bala—unwittingly find themselves entangled in a series of chaotic events. A locket pilfered by a crook named Blade sets off a domino effect involving gangsters, law enforcers, and unsuspecting community members.

The series nods to childhood classics like Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ while echoing the eerie undertones of Stranger Things and familiar tones of Indian cinema. As the narrative oscillates between thriller and dark comedy, one might even find hints of Panchatanthiram humor, albeit delivered through the lens of young protagonists.

Interestingly, ‘Snakes and Ladders’ avoids the pitfall of infantilizing its young leads. Instead, it portrays them as aware yet impulsive, making them both relatable and real. This choice strikes a fresh balance, never downgrading to a mere children’s adventure—a welcome divergence for those familiar with Indian OTT narratives. The creators even playfully challenge the typical boundaries by including levels of violence and profanity respectfully akin to what audiences expect from series like Game of Thrones.

However, Snakes and Ladders stumble in its attempt to braid dark humor with a solid thriller backbone. Fragmented characterization and a lack of narrative cohesion hinder its potential. The adult figures in the series, depicted as either villainous men or helpless women, add little depth, leaving audiences yearning for more nuanced portrayals. Similarly, the children, presented in stereotypical molds, miss the opportunity for deeper, more engaging arcs.

The overarching structure of the series feels akin to a cobbled machine—big picture scenarios without introspection into the finer emotions and motives of the characters. The stakes in the gangster subplot feel overwhelming and misplaced, and the heavily dramatized season finale leaves one wanting for a more meaningful closure. Naveen Chandra’s involvement brings memories of more successful ventures on Prime Video, like Inspector Rishi, casting a shadow over the series’ otherwise ambitious premise.

Ultimately, while Snakes and Ladders has moments of brilliance and a cast brimming with potential, it struggles to stand out amidst Prime Video’s robust portfolio of thrillers.

Conclusion

‘Snakes and Ladders’ is a cocktail of nostalgia and thriller that promises much but delivers selectively. Though it misses more than it scores, the series stands as a brave attempt to meld youthful exuberance with a thriller narrative. For those willing to overlook its inconsistencies, it offers a glimpse into a novel interpretation of the coming-of-age genre in a world of chaotic enchantments.