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Two influencers. One deadly party. Zero surprises.
Geo TV’s four-part mini-series Hashtag had all the makings of a viral hit—influencer drama, a shady party, and a murder mystery. Hashtag could have been a fast-paced thriller for the Instagram era, but despite its many strengths, it left me wanting more.
The story follows two social media influencers, Xara (Sabeena Farooq) and Rasha (Maha Hassan), who disappear after a glitzy party. Thus begins a grim domino effect, leaving one dead and the other clinging to life—until she, too, is silenced. The plot unfolds like a classic whodunit, but unfortunately, the suspense wears thin early on.
For seasoned viewers familiar with Western crime dramas like Columbo or Murder, She Wrote, the show offers few surprises. The killer’s identity is apparent from the start, which takes the edge off what should have been an intense unraveling. Instead of keeping audiences guessing, Hashtag plays its hand too soon and too obviously. A concerned friend, Nick (Usama Khan), and Rasha’s cousin, Imaad (Ali Ansari), are drawn into a murky investigation.
Intrigue and Insta-Trouble
Small details—like Rasha’s friend changing the spelling of her name from Zara to Xara for a social media boost—were spot on. It’s heartening to see Pakistani dramas tackling topics that resonate with today’s youth, exploring their struggles and the consequences of their online presence. Kudos to the team for venturing into this space.
The biggest challenge the series faces is its compressed format. With just four episodes, Hashtag struggles to do justice to its themes—trauma, betrayal, and the perilous pursuit of fame in the digital age. The reveal of the killer’s identity is followed by a twist that hints at something more sinister—possibly a sexual abuser. However, it isn’t explored thoroughly, leaving the audience wondering what exactly happened.
Are we ready for more?
Director Mehreen Jabbar and writer Shah Yasir deserve recognition for attempting to peel back the glossy veneer of social media to reveal something darker. Producers Abdulla Kadwani and Asad Qureshi should be commended for attempting something different from the usual saas-bahu dramas. Performance-wise, the cast delivers a mixed bag. Sabeena Farooq is a clear standout, imbuing Xara with a sense of vulnerability and agency. The rest of the ensemble offers serviceable but largely unremarkable performances, which fail to elevate the material.
It may not be trending, but Hashtag is still a sign of shifting tides in Pakistani drama—proof that the industry is beginning to ask new questions, even if the answers aren’t quite there yet. Perhaps a longer series would have allowed for more character development and plot twists. As it stands, it’s a decent watch, but not exactly trending on the drama scale. In other words, if you’re a fan of social media influencers and mystery dramas, you might enjoy Hashtag. However, if you’re looking for a thrilling ride with unexpected twists, you might want to look elsewhere.
