Bhoothakaalam

The sheer talent in the Shane Nigam, the much-maligned bad boy of Malayalam cinema has never been in doubt ever since he captivated us in Parava (2017), Kumbalangi Nights (2019) and Ishq (2019). He ventures into new territory with Bhoothakaalam donning the producer's cap along with the lead role in a film that beautifully merges the psychological with the supernatural, to devastating effect.

Shane stars as a quintessential just-out-of-college youngster, struggling to find work in his hometown so that he can take care of his clinically depressed mother. It is hilarious that he chose to embrace rather than shun the image the media has painted of him to enhance his character arc here, with alcoholism and addiction to cigarettes and drugs depicted convincingly to give us more insight into the character's mental and physical breakdown.

The first half of the movie is definitely a drag, but one gets the feeling that it was by design by director Rahul Sadasivan, to let the audience feel how mundane, depressing and repetitive the lives of this consistently down-on-their-luck family has become. It is into these psychological scars and mental anguish that the director then deftly throws in a supernatural element, to catch the characters and more importantly, us, the audience completely off-guard.

I personally loved the use of minimalistic sound design and lighting, especially shadows to generate genuine scares and spine-tingling suspense. Revathi delivers an absolute tour-de-force performance as the protective but often overbearing mother, who struggles to let her son spread his wings and become independent. Shane Nigam plays an able foil to the veteran actress, with his mannerisms and demeanour deftly changing to suit the diverse circumstances his character goes through.

Bhoothakaalam is a cerebral amalgamation of the horror and psychological thriller genres and despite pacing issues, is rendered an absolute must-watch due to the performances of its two leads and an absolutely chilling final act that will leave you stunned.

Highly recommended!

"BHOOTHAKAALAM" is a gripping Malayalam psychological thriller that takes the audience on a thrilling and suspenseful ride. Directed by Rahul sadashivan, the film keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its intriguing storyline, well-executed performances, and spine-chilling moments. What follows is a nerve-wracking journey filled with unexpected twists and a psychological battle between the characters and unseen forces.

The cast of "BHOOTHAKAALAM" delivers commendable performances that add depth and authenticity to the storyline. Leading actor Shane Nigam portrays his character with conviction, effectively conveying the fear and vulnerability experienced by his character, while revathy who plays a crucial role, impresses with her nuanced performance and ability to evoke a state award for that academic year... The supporting cast also deliver commendable performances, further enhancing the overall impact of the film.

"BHOOTHAKAALAM." He successfully creates an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout the film, keeping the viewers engrossed in the narrative. The film's cinematography, handled by Shehnad jalal, deserves special mention for capturing the haunting beauty of the location and effectively conveying the atmospheric elements of the story.

The sound design of "BHOOTHAKAALAM" plays a crucial role in intensifying the viewing experience. The subtle use of ambient sounds, coupled with well-timed background music, enhances the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.

The screenplay of "BHOOTHAKAALAM" is well-crafted, allowing the story to unfold at a steady pace. The writing effectively builds tension and keeps the viewers engaged, unraveling the mystery layer by layer. The dialogues are natural and serve the purpose of character development and plot progression... "BHOOTHAKAALAM" is a commendable addition to the Malayalam psychological thriller genre. With its intriguing storyline, impressive performances, and skillful direction, the film successfully keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. It is a must-watch for those who enjoy a thrilling and suspenseful cinematic experience. Prepare to be captivated and thrilled by the haunting world of "BHOOTHAKAALAM."

Why do we watch horror movies.. obviously to get scared and this movie does the job..some people didn't like the movie bcoz the ghost didn't have any overdramatic flashback which the hero on hearing feels bad for the ghost and avenge for the ghost..typical clishe ..thats what people still want..white saree ghosts are not gonna work these days..i liked the movie bcoz its made as realistic as possible..yeah i don't believe in ghosts but when u watch a horror movie you should believe..if something similar happens to us ,this would be whats gonna happen..so the climax feels apt for the movie..

Totally satisfied with the way, the story has been pictured.

Unwinding the trauma of a crazy family that has been rocked by the mysterious shrouded from the past.

You are sure feel chill down your spine.

Be scared!

Bhoothakaalam is not just a normal horror film, it's about a relationship between a mother and her son. As the house of our protagonist had been shown many times you'll relate to their situation. Most of the horror elements are there in the climax and that will definitely scare you. Background sound is very important in any horror film and it was very good here.

Revathi is a great actor and no doubt she had done her job perfectly. But, l loved Shane Nigam more in this film, he was amazing. Lastly, there are certain questions I didn't get answers, that's the reason I liked the film more. So, if you're a horror/psychological genre lover you should definitely watch this.

Available on Sony LIV.

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