Avasavyuham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
2018 (2023)<\/h3>\n I don\u2019t think anybody can watch 2018: Everyone is a Hero<\/em> directed by Jude Anthany Joseph\u2014about the floods that devastated Kerala in 2018\u2014and not break into tears. With a big cast of characters, multiple storylines, and an impressive recreation of the floods, this movie leaves you glued to the screen. Several inspired scenes in the movie reminded me of what Kerala went through\u2014the timely help by fishermen, the unavoidable causalities, and many stories from those who survived. This movie is a testament to how Kerala survived against all odds in 2018. It is also a reminder of what we lost.<\/p>\nStreaming on Sony Liv \n <\/p>\n2018<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMalik (2021)<\/h3>\n Malik<\/em> (transl. Owner), directed by Mahesh Narayanan (Take off<\/em>, Ariyippu<\/em> fame), is a political thriller set in a fictional Ramadapally, a coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram where Muslims and Christians live in harmony. The movie begins with the arrest of the elderly Ahmadaali Sulaiman\/Aliikka (Fahadh Faasil), a leader of sorts to the Muslim residents, on terrorism charges while leaving Kerala on Haj. Malik<\/em> takes us through peaceful coexistence between the two religious communities, and the friendship between Sulaiman and David (Vinay Fort), both of which suffer cracks. Brimming with personal grievances, political moves, riots and revenge, Malik<\/em> is an excellent watch.<\/p>\nStreaming on Amazon Prime \n <\/p>\nMalik<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Freedom Fight (2022)<\/h3>\n An anthology with five films that explore women\u2019s agency, casteism, old age and social expectations. Kunjila Mascillamani\u2019s Asanghadithar<\/em> (transl. The Unorganised) based on a true story of sales girls fighting for access to toilets leaves you in awe of women who had to fight for their basic rights. Francies Louis\u2019 Ration<\/em> about the socio-economic divide between two friendly neighbours will make you feel like you have a fish bone through your heart.<\/p>\nStreaming on Sony Liv \n <\/p>\nAsanghadithar in FreedomFight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Thriller-ish<\/h2>\nKaanekkaanne (2021)<\/h3>\n It is nearly impossible to categorize this film written by Bobby and Sanjay (Traffic<\/em>, Uyare<\/em> fame) and directed by Manu Ashokan (Uyare<\/em> fame). Unlike a thriller, the reveal happens long before the ending. Kaanekkanne <\/em>(trasl. As I watch) opens with a tahsildar (Suraj Venjaramoodu) visiting his grandson after visiting a cemetery. We learn that his daughter passed away in an accident a year ago. His son-in-law (Tovino Thomas) is now married to Sneha (Aishwarya Lekshmi). Tovino as the indifferent, reclusive man chugging alcohol on the sly and underperforming at work, Aishwarya as the unhappy wife in a strained marriage but a doting mother to her stepson give strong performances. Suraj Venjaramoodu\u2019s measured acting is deeply moving and steals your heart. This movie, told in flashbacks, is more than a mere thriller. It keeps you wondering, as you watch (a lovely choice of title btw), where we draw the line between right and wrong.<\/p>\nStreaming on Sony Liv \n <\/p>\nKaanekkanne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Cold case<\/h3>\n Cold Case<\/em>, directed by Tanu Balak, follows two parallel storylines\u2014a police officer (Prithviraj Sukumaran) chasing the truth behind a skull fished out of a water body, and a journalist (Aditi Balan) investigating paranormal occurrences. It is spooky with occult practices, spirituality and superstitions, lending colour to an otherwise serious procedural.<\/p>\nStreaming on Amazon Prime \n <\/p>\nCold case<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Nayattu (2021)<\/h3>\n A survival thriller directed by Martin Prakatt. Nayattu (transl. the Hunt) follows three civil police officers (Kunchacko Boban, Joju George, Nimisha Sajayan) on the run. These officers are knee deep in mud with unscrupulous lawmakers and political issues. Nayattu<\/em> is part-drama, part-socio-political commentary with brilliant performances from the lead cast.<\/p>\nStreaming on Netflix \n <\/p>\nNayattu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNight Drive (2022)<\/h3>\n Night Drive<\/em> is a crime thriller directed by Vysakh. A young couple (Roshan Mathew and Anna Ben) meet with an accident on a night drive. They get caught up between the police investigation, egoistic officers, and political leaders.<\/p>\nStreaming on Netflix \n <\/p>\nNight Drive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Kooman (2022)<\/h3>\n Directed by Jeethu Joseph (Drishyam<\/em> fame), Kooman follows a egoistic under ranking police officer Giri (Asif Ali) who takes trivial arguments very personally. He is intoxicated by an urge for revenge, and his new secretive and dangerous hobby. Kooman<\/em> is part drama, part thriller, with a slightly underwhelming ending, but it\u2019ll leave you hooked to Giri\u2019s manipulative moves.<\/p>\nStreaming on Netflix \n <\/p>\nKooman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
12th Man (2022)<\/h3>\n Another thriller from Jeethu Joseph (Drishyam<\/em> fame). Eleven friends get together at a resort for a bachelor\u2019s party and one ends up dead. A guest staying at the resort\u2014the annoying Chandrasekhar (Mohanlal) who was a nuisance to the gang\u2014decides to embark on a night\u2019s investigation. Secrets spill, relationships crumble, and motives surface.<\/p>\nStreaming on Disney Hotstar \n <\/p>\n12th Man<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Drishyam<\/h3>\n It is never too late to watch Drishyam 1<\/em> and Drishyam 2<\/em>\u2014family thriller drama. If you\u2019ve seen the remakes in other languages, cleanse your mind and watch the original in Malayalam please. The police is sure that cable TV business owner Georgekutty (Mohanlal) and family have something to do with the disappearance of a high ranking official\u2019s son. The alibis add up, the media is convinced, the people are in support of the man, but what happens when there\u2019s more to the story that isn\u2019t in favour of Georgekutty?<\/p>\nStreaming on Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime \n <\/p>\nDrishyam 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Also read :<\/em><\/strong>: 7 best Korean dramas on Netflix<\/a> \n <\/p>\nDrama:<\/h2>\nHome (2021)<\/h3>\n Home<\/em>, directed by Rojin Thomas, is a feel-good family drama with characters that\u2019ll stay in your mind forever. A technologically challenged sixty something father Oliver Twist (Indrans) tries to connect with his son but accidentally puts him in trouble. Be it the frustrated elder son trying to finish his movie script (Sreenath Bhasi), talkative mother (Manju Pillai), wannabe Youtuber younger son (Naslen), Oliver\u2019s paranoid friend (Johny Antony) who thinks he is going to die, every character leaves a mark. Indrans as the loving, doting, innocent but unacknowledged father is a gem. The movie looks at family dynamics, warmth in relationships, mental illness without judgement, and home. There are several heartwarming and funny scenes\u2014Oliver trying to solve his son\u2019s girlfriend troubles (after a master class by his younger son on how Instagram Stories expose the psyche of couples), the younger son\u2019s Youtube intros and more.<\/p>\nStreaming on Amazon Prime \n <\/p>\nHome<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Bheemante Vazhi (2021)<\/h3>\n Bheemante Vazhi<\/em> (trans. Bheeman’s path) directed by Ashraf Hamza is a comedy revolving around widening a road. The colourful cast of characters in the rural neighbourhood have varied opinions about this project. Sanju\/Bheeman (Kunchacko Boban) struggles to get everybody\u2019s permission to start the construction work. A light hearted drama with feisty women, many laughs and a surprising climax.<\/p>\nStreaming on Amazon Prime \n <\/p>\nBheemante Vazhi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Bheeshma Parvam (2022)<\/h3>\n In Bheeshma Parvam<\/em> (transl. Chapter of Bheeshma), set in 1980s Kerala, directed by Amal Neerad (Big B<\/em> fame) stars Michael\/Michaelappan (Mammooty), the patriarch of the Anjoottikkaran family in the lead. It is a typical family saga in a stylized production, complete with strife, action, betrayal, religious sentiments, communal hatred and abundant enemies.<\/p>\nStreaming on Disney Hotstar \n <\/p>\nBheeshma Parvam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Horror:<\/h2>\nBhoothakalam (2022)<\/h3>\n Bhoothakalam<\/em> (transl. Past\/Age of ghosts), written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan, is clever and terrifying. It follows a depressed school teacher (Revathy) and her unemployed son (Shane Nigam). Their strained relationship in a house with strange night-time occurrences provides the perfect background for a psychological horror tale. There are no big reveals or ghosts jumping at you or masked actors trying to scare you. The beauty of the movie is in the subtle, quiet scenes that make you tremble. It made me suspicious of my own house and house keys. Minutes felt like hours. I spent the night tossing in bed, disturbed by the mind games and situational horror of the movie. I began hearing sounds which I don\u2019t know to this day whether they were a figment of my imagination. I almost forgot\u2014I had company while watching the movie at night and yet it messed with my head. Very good!<\/p>\nStreaming on Sony Liv \n <\/p>\nBhoothakaalam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Purusha Pretham (2023)<\/h3>\n With Purusha Pretham <\/em>(transl. The Male Ghost), a police procedural, director Krishnand once again proves what a brilliant filmmaker he is. It is a cop drama that is equal parts witty and thrilling, stirred with unreliable narration and morally ambiguous characters. A boastful police officer Super Sebastian who spins his tales of adventures(Alexander Prashanth), his loyal side kick Dileep (Jagadish) and a mysterious widow (Darshana Rajendran) will have you spinning theories in your head before the film ends. Purusha Pretham<\/em> is a treat with green and red colour palettes, tall tales and systemic shortcomings of how we deal with unidentified corpses.<\/p>\nStreaming on Sony Liv \n <\/p>\nPurusha Pretham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Kumari (2022)<\/h3>\n Those who love stories told by grandmothers would love Kumari<\/em>, a mythological fantasy film written and directed by Nirmal Sahadev. Set in a world of cursed generations, fighting gods, arranged marriages and black magic, this is the story of women trapped in prophecies and superstitions. Intense atmosphere, storytelling thick with folklore, thrilling twists and mystic turns\u2014Kumari<\/em> is a treat to the senses.<\/p>\nStreaming on Netflix \n <\/p>\nKumari<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
Romancham (2023)<\/h3>\n Jithu Madhavan\u2019s directorial debut Romancham<\/em> (transl. Goosebumps) took the box office by storm. It is a comedy horror following a group of bachelor friends in Bangalore who play the Ouija board and get addicted to it. Romancham<\/em> is hilarious with a fresh cast and an amazing sound track. What\u2019s even better?\u2014The movie is inspired by real events and characters.<\/p>\nStreaming on Disney Hotstar \n <\/p>\nRomancham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n