Officer on Duty

The first half of this is a great procedural thriller. Good attention to detail, very fast paced, logical, great score, cinematic. Then the Saw soundtrack gets plagiarised, and some flashbacks start happening (like those movies) that start stretching logic to breaking point. Throughout the second half, you'll be so distracted by various motives, and how certain characters would have achieved certain things (and found certain people, and why) that all the credibility of the first half starts draining fast. It was all just washing over me by the overlong climax.

It's a shame, because without addressing motive with the emotional intelligence of a ten year old, it could have been great (and forty minutes shorter). It's the same "ugh, really?" feeling I had in the last act of Spectre. It ends up turning the very real problem of child grooming and abuse into a really ignorant plot device.

Also, the divisive framing of these characters into 'villains' and 'hero' leaves a bad taste the more you think about what actually happened. The general idea could have been dealt with so much more intelligently (like The Last Of Us Part 2 for eg.).

I was really excited about this movie, and it was surprising to learn that it was the only one certified as a hit in theaters last month. I won't say praise the screenplay much, it's not the best one from Shahi but it's still an engaging one. There were a few plotholes in the film and it could have been easily avoided.

I think ' Officer on Duty' is one of the biggest hits of Kunchak's career and he has portrayed his role properly. Recently, he has been selecting some quality scripts. Kudos to that effort.

Another highlight of this film, is the music from Jakes Bejoy. The soundtrack is very apt for a movie like this.

The production design was also okay but as mentioned above there are a few plotholes that could have been easily avoided. What I'm talking about are things that the filmmakers could have easily sorted, and everyone watching the movie would easily notice those elements.

"Officer on Duty" is an amazing crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The movie delivers a gripping experience, packed with intense moments, solid action, and a thought-provoking message.

Kunchacko Boban absolutely nailed his role with outstanding acting. His performance carried the film, making every scene feel real and powerful. Whether it was the action sequences, the emotional moments, or the intense confrontations, he handled it all brilliantly. This is easily one of his best performances, and he completely owned the character.

The film's storyline is not just about action and suspense; it also raises awareness about the safety of young girls, which makes it even more impactful. It sheds light on hidden criminal gangs that exist in society, adding a layer of realism to the thriller. The way the film presents this issue is both shocking and eye-opening, making the audience think beyond just the entertainment value.

From the very beginning, the movie sets a serious and intense tone, keeping you hooked till the end. The first half moves at a perfect pace, with thrilling sequences that keep building tension. However, the second half felt a little stretched at times. Some scenes could have been trimmed to make the pacing even sharper. But despite that, the overall experience remained engaging.

One of the biggest highlights of Officer on Duty is its action sequences. The fight scenes were outstanding, executed with great choreography and intensity. Every punch and move felt real, making the action sequences highly impactful. The way these scenes were shot, along with the powerful background score, gave me goosebumps. It's the kind of action that feels raw and immersive, making it even more thrilling to watch on the big screen.

Speaking of sound, the background music and sound effects were top-notch. The music played a huge role in building tension, making certain scenes even scarier. There were moments where the sound design alone added to the suspense, making you feel completely absorbed in the movie. The eerie and intense music created the perfect atmosphere for a crime thriller like this.

Overall, Officer on Duty is an amazing crime thriller that deserves to be watched in theatres. It delivers a thrilling experience with a great mix of action, suspense, and a meaningful message. Despite a slightly stretched second half, the movie keeps you engaged throughout. Kunchacko Boban's performance, the action sequences, and the gripping story make this one of his best films. If you love crime thrillers, this is a must-watch!

Movie that is unnecessarily dragged and full of unnecessary and unrealistic stunt sequences.

Poorly researched script, people who wrote it clearly don't understand drugs or social psychology and cognitive ability of drug users. Looks like the writers were just trying to take a dig on the Gen Z.

Lazy writing of characters with no grey elements. The moral compass of characters or their revenge arc does not make any sense.

Unnecessarily dragged, 3/4th of the movie could have been edited out. Unnecessary stunt scenes which could have easily been avoided. None of the cops seem to have guns in the movie.

Writers couldn't decide whether to make a suspense thriller or revenge story. As a result ended with nothing but garbage.

Ratings given for the movie do not make sense, absolutely not worth watching.

Jithu Ashraf's directorial debut, Officer on Duty, is a crime investigation thriller that revolves around various sexual as*aults, su*cides, and murders. Written by Shahi Kabir, the film starts off brilliantly, with an almost near-perfect first half that not only engages the audience but also delivers the thrill. However, while the second half still delivers, the introduction of commercial elements and a stretched screenplay prevent it from reaching its full potential. Jakes Bejoy once again delivers a brilliant score, and the music is commendable. The camerawork, editing, and sound design are also impressive.

Kunchacko Boban excels as the troubled yet diligent police officer, convincingly portraying a character disturbed by personal tragedy. Priyamani supports him well. The antagonist gang, led by Vishak Nair,does a good job, but at times, their portrayal becomes too over-the-top, veering into cliché territory. The rest of the cast performs decently. The action sequences are well-executed. The screenplay reveals the right information at the right time, though the commercial elements slightly detract from the impact. Overall,Officer on Duty is a very good thriller, though its second half follows a formulaic approach.

Nevertheless, definitely recommended.

OVERALL -6.5/10.