“Sister Midnight” (2024) is a sharp and darkly humorous satire that explores the entrapment of women within the institution of arranged marriages in India, carried by Radhika Apte with her insanely brilliant performance. The film follows Uma (Apte), a boisterous young woman who arrives in a new city after her arranged marriage, stepping into unfamiliar ground filled with a judgmental environment. The opening sequence, with Uma on a train at night, haunted by a frightening dream waiting for her, sets the tone for her journey—one filled with isolation and disillusionment. By the film’s end, she departs again, but this time in daylight, carrying all her delusions on a different train.

Uma struggles to connect with her husband, Gopal, who is indifferent to her presence. He prioritizes work and drinking, showing no interest in intimacy. Uma, eager to forge a connection, even signals her willingness to start their marital life,...