Movie Review: Toaster (2026)
Movie Rating: 1.5/5 Stars
Verdict: A well-intentioned misfire that squanders a quirky premise and a capable cast. Forgettable in the most damning way possible.
About the movie
Director: Vivek Daschaudhary
Producer: Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha (KAMPA Films)
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Seema Pahwa, Upendra Limaye, Farah Khan
Release year: 2026
Genre: Dark comedy thriller
Netflix’s latest dark comedy thriller, “Toaster,” which premiered on April 15, 2026, had all the makings of a quirky, offbeat entertainer. With a premise centered around a miserly man’s obsession with retrieving a toaster he gifted to a newlywed couple, the movie promised madcap humor and absurdist chaos. Directed by first-timer Vivek Daschaudhary and produced by Rajkummar Rao and Patralekha under their banner KAMPA Films, the film had potential written all over it. Unfortunately, what unfolds is a tedious, poorly executed mess that squanders its interesting concept and capable cast.
Plot: a premise that goes nowhere
The fundamental issue with “Toaster” is that the script simply doesn’t know what it wants to be. The premise is admittedly quirky. Ramakant (Rajkummar Rao), a chronic miser, decides to reclaim a 4,999 rupee toaster he gifted to a couple whose wedding was called off. What begins as a petty mission spirals into a ridiculous chain of events involving murder, blackmail, and increasingly incoherent plot twists.
However, what could have been a clever dark comedy quickly devolves into a muddled narrative with no clear direction. The plotline meanders aimlessly, introducing subplot after subplot without any coherent structure or purpose. Character motivations feel arbitrary, and the escalation from toaster retrieval to murder and mayhem feels forced and unconvincing. By the second half, the movie completely loses its footing, abandoning any semblance of logic or charm in favor of chaotic, senseless mayhem that’s neither funny nor engaging. The screenplay simply lacks the wit and precision required to make this absurd premise work.
Cast and performances: wasted talent
The movie features a stellar ensemble cast. Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, and Seema Pahwa are all seasoned, talented performers. Yet, despite this impressive lineup, the film’s poor screenplay leaves them with nowhere to go.
Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra have reunited for the third time in their professional collaboration. Their previous pairings in Ludo (2020) and HIT: The First Case (2022) both showcased their chemistry and range as actors: the former had them bringing nuance and authenticity to their segments, while the latter proved they could carry a thriller together. Yet their reunion here in Toaster is profoundly disappointing.
They seem trapped by the weak material, unable to salvage anything meaningful from their performances.
Rao’s portrayal of the miser feels one-dimensional, and the character’s obsession with the toaster never resonates as either sympathetically quirky or genuinely funny. Malhotra, who was stellar in both earlier movies, is criminally underutilized. Her character, Shilpa, is relegated to the background with no significant development or interesting moments.
The supporting cast fares slightly better. Archana Puran Singh steals what few laughs the film manages to generate, and Seema Pahwa brings her usual grace to her role. Abhishek Banerjee, who has built a solid reputation through his work in the Stree franchise and other notable projects, appears in a pivotal role as Glen. However, even his considerable talent feels wasted here.
The character of Glen is poorly written and underdeveloped, and Banerjee struggles to find any dimension to work with. His scenes, which should have been moments of comic relief or dramatic tension, instead feel flat and disconnected from the rest of the narrative.
Upendra Limaye, playing a political henchman, and Farah Khan, in a cameo, add minor sparks to the proceedings, but their contributions are too sporadic to make a real impact. The collective effort of this talented ensemble feels like they’re all performing in a vacuum, trying to inject life into a script that actively works against them.
Mildly watchable at best
If you’re someone looking for a lazy Sunday watch with zero expectations, this movie might keep you mildly entertained for its runtime. But there’s nothing here that warrants a second viewing or makes it worth discussing afterward. The film is forgettable in the most damning way possible. It doesn’t linger in your mind, nor does it provide any comedic gold you’d want to revisit. It’s the definition of a one-time watch that you’ll likely abandon halfway through if you’re watching on Netflix.
The only silver lining: Patralekha’s cameo
If there’s one genuinely fun moment in the entire film, it’s Patralekha’s brief cameo as she searches for her “Raj.” It’s a meta-reference to her real-life relationship with Rajkummar Rao, and it manages to be charming and slightly humorous in a way the rest of the film isn’t. The scene has a self-aware quality that the film desperately needed throughout. It’s ironic that one of the producers’ personal touchstones becomes the movie’s highlight. It’s a bittersweet reminder of what the film could have been if it had embraced such warmth and playfulness from the beginning.
Final thoughts
“Toaster” is a textbook example of a movie with a solid idea that’s poorly executed at every level. The plotline is weak, the comedy doesn’t land, and the performances, though often sincere, can’t overcome the script’s fundamental flaws. The reunion of Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, who worked so well together in Ludo, should have been a highlight, not a disappointment. Even the talented supporting cast and the brief charm of Patralekha’s cameo can’t salvage what is ultimately a forgettable, frustrating viewing experience.
Netflix’s “Toaster” is a well-intentioned misfire that overstays its welcome. Unless you’re a completist who watches everything that comes on the platform, there are far better ways to spend your time.
At 1.5 out of 5 stars, this one deserves to be skipped.
Where to watch
The movie “Toaster” is currently streaming on Netflix. It premiered on April 15, 2026, and is available to watch now.
Have you seen Toaster? Did it work better for you than for us? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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