Binge or Cringe: ‘1000 Babies’ is a Detective Thriller Filled with Suspense

A cradle of mysteries where each episode introduces a new clue into the motives of a serial killer, 1000 Babies is a dark Malayalam-language crime thriller that keeps viewers at the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The story follows a detective in Kerala, India as he untangles a series of strange events that leads him to discovering a secret that redefines the case he was studying. Learning about a well-kept secret from higher-ups, this detective embarks on a journey that permanently transforms his life and the lives of many others. Still, he does not back down despite the odds stacking up against him.

Meet Aji

Aji Kurian (Rashin Rahman) is a diligent detective with a keen mind who searches for the motive behind each perpetrator in his cases. When he investigates the mysterious death of a famous actress named Ancy Sanjeev (Radhika Radhakrishnan), Aji finds clues that none of his peers do. While the detective quickly solves the case, he inadvertently becomes wrapped up in a much larger issue concerning a man named Bibin (Sanju Sivram). The audience meets Bibin in the first episode as a nice man who takes care of his mom, Sarah Ouseph (Neena Gupta). However, it's evident that something is not quite right with Bibin’s mother. The mystery begins with these two. 

Aji does not have many flaws. Rather, he is a police man whom others look up to for his talent and skill. He forwards the plot by making observations that no other character can. While he is admirable for his work, Aji’s character does not have more depth than his role as a dedicated detective. There are hints about his home life that are never expanded on as the series is more plot-driven than it is character-driven.

Was it Binge or Cringe?

Although the CGI and lack of information in the first episode has potential to drive away audiences, the series shines through its visual storytelling and pacing. It builds suspense by revealing information at critical moments, while utilizing music to deter grand revelations for a different time. The soundtrack is unique in its instrumentals that combine sitar sounds with high pitch violin arcos and suspenseful plucks. This mixture of strings invites one into a world of this Malayalam-Indian crime drama.

The acting in this series is nothing special. With a male-dominant cast playing cops in India, the acting is reminiscent of stereotypical police machoness. In other words, the acting is not overly expressive, but it gets the job done. Another less appealing factor to this show is its tendency to become graphic in portraying crime scenes. For those who are queasy by the sight of blood, be aware that 1000 Babies does not shy away from depicting grotesque crimes.

Who will like it?

1000 Babies is definitely not for viewers who prefer world-building and fast-paced scenes within the first episode. Instead, this series is more suited for audiences who value suspenseful crime dramas that reveal information in small sets at intermittent intervals. Additionally, viewers should not expect to connect to any of the characters by the end of their watch. Instead, they are likely to be met with moral dilemmas and questions about the justice system in India. 

Overall, this is an interesting thriller that is distinguished from other crime series for its focus on the development of a singular killer. This plot is unlike any seen before and deserves a watch for its uniqueness.