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Sister Midnight

Sister Midnight is a 2024 dark comedy film written and directed by Karan Kandhari in his feature directorial debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sister Midnight is a 2024 dark comedy film written and directed by Karan Kandhari in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Radhika Apte as Uma, a woman whose arranged marriage and life in Mumbai lead to chaotic, increasingly surreal events. It premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in Directors' Fortnight and was released theatrically in India in May 2025.

Plot

The story follows Uma, who moves into married life in a cramped Mumbai home and becomes increasingly alienated and restless. Review coverage describes her transformation as chaotic, surreal, and physically or psychologically extreme.

Production

The film was written and directed by Karan Kandhari, marking his first feature film as a director. Available sources identify it as a British-Indian production with dialogue in English and Hindi.

Release

Sister Midnight premiered at Cannes on 19 May 2024 in Directors' Fortnight. It later received theatrical release in India on 30 May 2025 and a limited theatrical release in the United States in May 2025.

Reception and awards

The film drew attention for its surreal tone and unconventional treatment of marriage and domesticity. It was nominated at the 78th BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.

Key facts

  • Sister Midnight is Karan Kandhari's feature directorial debut.
  • The film centers on Uma, a woman in an arranged marriage who struggles with domestic life in Mumbai.
  • Its style combines dark comedy with surreal and genre-bending elements.
  • It premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
  • The film received a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.
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Canadian context

Sister Midnight is relevant to Canadian readers as an internationally released film that screened at Cannes and circulated through film-festival and theatrical markets that are also followed in Canada. No Canada-specific production, setting, or release information was identified in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Sister Midnight?
Sister Midnight is a 2024 dark comedy film written and directed by Karan Kandhari.
Who stars in Sister Midnight?
The film stars Radhika Apte, Ashok Pathak, and Chhaya Kadam.
What is Sister Midnight about?
It follows Uma, a woman in an arranged marriage whose life in Mumbai becomes increasingly chaotic and surreal.
When did Sister Midnight premiere?
It premiered on 19 May 2024 at the Cannes Film Festival in Directors' Fortnight.
Was Sister Midnight nominated for any awards?
Yes. It was nominated for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the 78th BAFTA Awards.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister_Midnight
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, plot premise, Cannes premiere, BAFTA nomination, and India release date.
  2. RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sister-midnight-horror-movie-review-2025
    Supports: Character name, plot characterization, and the film's dark, surreal tone.
  3. Varietyhttps://www.variety.com/2024/film/reviews/sister-midnight-review-1236016966/
    Supports: Directorial debut, surreal comedy framing, and arranged-marriage storyline.
  4. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/movies/sister-midnight-review.html
    Supports: Runtime, release context, lead character Uma, and narrative setting in Mumbai.
  5. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sister_midnight
    Supports: Director, producer credits, genre, language, distributor, and theatrical release details.
  6. National Science and Media Museumhttps://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/cinema/sister-midnight
    Supports: Director, cast, language, and synopsis.