User reviews

Movie Vadakkan has a Plot though seemingly comparable to several others, have some extra twists added to keep it different.

Selection of the cast is generally ok. The lead actor is good to watch till the end.

Direction needs improvement especially in the 2nd half lagging parts when the investigation is ongoing in the bungalow at night.

Cannot be treated as a visual treat niether a thrilling horror, though it has its own suspense factors.

Acting of kishore is commendable and a good attempt but far below that when compared to kantara.

Ending is almost predictable from the bridge scene, though it could have been made different.

Overall a good attempt...

Seeing a different kind of thriller after a long time. Hats off to excellent acting by Kishore. Nice Cinematography, Camera and Scenic location. Nice costumes used in the movie.

Generally comedy thriller is common these days and it may not workout also. This movie is different from normal thriller in the way it is taken. It did not scare us with usual ghosts appearances and other things rather it got us involved in the way the movie moved with not much expectation while watching.

It is serious kind of a movie with twists and interesting things and got us involved in the movie. Hats off to the way this movie is taken.

Something New for Malayalam Cinema, Hope more writes and directors take steps like this and risk it, and seems like this movie did not do that well for the larger audience. But as a enthusiasts , pretty good. Hope this does not discourage, writes and producers, with a better edit and direction, this would have been a lot better, but as I said great material and worthy to have a movies made in this style.

The ending and the overall theyyan culture were not explored as much as the heart desired but nonetheless not a bad BAD attempt. Has a great potential, really hopeful lot more writers attempt this. Need to visit some ancient culture of the Land Kerala, deep in history and culture, hope these get passed on rather than die.

KUDOS Malayalam Cinema, keep it coming.

The final shot of Vadakkan left me in awe. That climax gave me goosebumps! The film opens with Patinir's Landscape with Charon Crossing the Styx, setting a tone of metaphysical transition. It closes with Raman (Kishore) immersed in a river, echoing the painting but reimagined through the lens of Theyyam-a ritualistic art form from North Malabar. This transformation bridges European Renaissance imagery with South Indian mythology, symbolizing a soul's journey within the cultural context of Theyyam. The film's visual and auditory elements amplify this thematic convergence, leaving a profound impact.

Give this movie a chance, it starts slow and boring with a found footage and some apparantly silly live show but by the end it transforms itself into something beautiful and sublime......... The story that's truly unfolded in the second paet of the movie is rooted in indian folklore and to me it was an amazing story in itself but not only that. It revealed deep psihological meanings about the faces of fear, nature of man and his battles to overcome the ancestral condition, thorn between two opposite worlds.

I almost gave up half way and I would have lost a gem that I don't find everyday....................

Vadakkan, the first film from Offbeet Studios, brings a fresh voice to Malayalam cinema. It delves into the eerie, layered world of North Malabar through mystery and folklore. While Kishore and Shruthy's performances have been widely praised for elevating the film, Merin Philip and Garggi Ananthan deepen its intense and haunting mood. Aryan Kathuria and Kalesh add a quirky charm that subtly balances the atmosphere. Keiko Nakahara's visuals capture the misty beauty of the region, and Bawa's art direction grounds the story in the rich rituals of Theyyam. A haunting and culturally rich experience.

Boring story. Nothing new.

Could have avoided unwanted vulgarity and bad language.

Should Learn from neat movies like romancham.

Disappointed. Expected better standards from Malayalam movies.

Sound effects were good.

Location was beautiful.

If you update 1 star here, it automatically gets updated as 9 ?

Now I can understand why this movie is having 8 stars from so many😀 Overrated beyond acceptance.

Failed attempt to copy some English movie.

Ending is predictable.

If the story is strong and relatable to common man, people will like it.

This is not a family movie.

This is not worth the time spend.

Vadakkan is a beautifully crafted film that blends a rooted narrative with a slow-burn thriller format. Set against the backdrop of North Malabar folklore, it weaves a haunting tale that gradually builds tension, drawing viewers into its mysterious world. Kishore and Sruthy Menon deliver compelling performances, while Resul Pookkutty's sound design and Keiko Nakahara's visuals enhance the immersive experience. The climax, intertwined with the ritualistic art of Theyyam, leaves a lasting impression. Though some plot elements could be tighter, its cultural depth and chilling atmosphere make it unforgettable.

I'm honestly surprised by the high ratings for Vadakkan (2025). Many people keep praising it as a "good attempt," but I don't see it that way. It feels like the filmmakers simply tried to imitate Hollywood-style horror by mixing found footage elements with some bits of our culture. There's nothing wrong with experimenting, but this felt more like copying than creating something original. Instead of trying to replicate Western horror tropes, they should have focused on building a horror experience rooted in our own rich traditions and storytelling. That would have made a much stronger impact.

Meh/10 for me.

There's also a strong visual language at play with, every frame feels intentional, every color and texture adding to the mood. The camera often lingers, watching rather than showing, and this restraint builds quiet suspense. Dialogue is sparse but precise, and the sound design, paired with Bijibal's haunting score, deepens the narrative without overpowering it. Vadakkan tells its story through suggestion as much as through plot. It invites us to observe, interpret, and sometimes even doubt what we're seeing. This layered storytelling demands attention. A compelling work with its visuals lingering long after it ends.

I had heard some positive buzz about this movie when it first came out and I finally got around to watching it on Prime. I honestly regret it. It is a horrible movie.

The first half tries to pass itself off as a scientific exploration of paranormal activity using the overdone "found footage" technique borrowed from Hollywood horror. But this part feels rushed and poorly executed.

Then comes the second half filled with clichés. Instead of the usual Christian symbolism found in many horror films this one attempts to use local folklore and Theyyam. Now this could have been refreshing if it were done well. But the so-called supernatural entity here does not follow any coherent logic. It is not a wronged soul or a ghost with purpose. It just does random disconnected things. They mention "lust" and "revenge" as motives but the connection is weak at best. The "lust" angle feels completely forced like the filmmakers were trying to be provocative for the sake of controversy.

Add to that the use of obscene and vulgar scenes random English and Malayalam swear words and supposedly "possessed" characters spewing sexual phrases in printed Malayalam. It all just feels immature and unnecessary. Instead of being scary or socially thought-provoking it ends up being unintentionally funny. We were laughing through most of it not because it was funny but because of how badly it was done.

They may try to present this film as some kind of societal commentary but do not be fooled. It is not. It is just cheap horror disguised as something smarter than it is.

Frankly Romancham was a far better movie. It was much more culturally rooted genuinely entertaining and respectful to its genre. And it is rated 7.5. Meanwhile this movie is sitting at an 8.3. That is exactly why I am taking the effort to write this review. Just like the film the reviews seem misleading too.

Vadakkan is a carefully crafted experience that plays with the very idea of storytelling. What sets it apart is its refusal to stick to a single narrative style. Instead, it boldly blends multiple forms of visual poetry, raw realism, and psychological tension to pull the audience into its world. The film uses fragmented timelines and shifting perspectives to mirror the disorientation of its characters. It doesn't handhold; it lets silence speak, lets shadows carry meaning, and often leaves things unsaid. This allows the audience to fill in the gaps, making the viewing experience more personal and immersive.

Saw Vadakkan on Amazon Prime recently its a conversation starter as the film touches on some deep social issues without being loud about them. Its is a slow-burning mystery that draws you into the world of North Malabar folklore. The story takes its time, but the buildup is worth it. Kishore and Sruthy Menon are great in their roles. The sound by Resul Pookkutty and the visuals by Keiko Nakahara add to the eerie mood. The climax, with the Theyyam setting, stays with you long after. Some parts could have been tighter, but the film's mix of culture and suspense made it a unique and powerful watch.

Bijibal's music for Vadakkan is nothing short of extraordinary, weaving a powerful mix of emotions that deeply enhances the film's narrative. His compositions brilliantly capture the essence of the story's mood-balancing tension, hope, and raw human emotion with subtlety and power. Each track serves as more than just background; it acts as a vital character, guiding the audience through the film's psychological and dramatic landscapes. Winning the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his work on Vadakkan is a testament to Bijibal's masterful ability to elevate cinema through music. Bijibal's score transforms Vadakkan from a gripping thriller into an immersive experience, highlighting the film's emotional core and leaving a lasting impression long after the credits roll.

The first sign of trouble is the audio editing and dubbing. There's no depth and the entire audio is distractingly distanced from what's on the screen. You can just imagine the actors dubbing in the studio with the mics entirely in their mouths. Even basics like the voice of someone behind another being lower is just missed.

The screenplay is disjointed.. and not in a well scripted horror movie edge-of-seat disjointed kind of way but in a incompetent kind of way. There are so many plot holes from scene to scene and the direction is lacking. The background of the plot and story is inconsistent and there's no resolution for the audience at the end when it could easily have been good with just basic homework.

The actors are competent, the cinematography is great and the background score, except for the first entirely out-of-place song, is decent.

It looks like a basic good concept of story was established, decent actors were cast and then everything else just crashed into a school play run by the 5th standard history teacher. Rewatching any one episode of the 20 year old series Supernatural, would've been entirely so much more satisfying.

Its been a while Ive given a horror movie only 1/10 but this movie made me open up another category on my horror movie list "so bad that i stopped watching" I gave up after 1 hr 20 The story line is pretty boring, acting is meh, the effects are insanely cheap and overall im not much of a Fan of these camera perspectives but thats subjective tbf. I wouldnt recommend to anyone who enjoys horror movies with paranormal activity, I cant believe this movie has such a good review. I was waiting 40 Minutes for something interesting to happen since i found the Story line boring and when it did I was amazed by the quality of effects, Ive rarely ever seen something so cheap.

Theyyam is a vibrant and ancient ritual, and this movie had a great opportunity to showcase it respectfully. While the cast performed well and the acting was impressive, the overall execution of the film fell short of expectations. Given the strong concept and the presence of a talented actor like Kishor, I was hoping for a more impactful and thoughtful portrayal. Unfortunately, the movie didn't quite live up to its potential. The narrative felt disconnected at times, and the depth of the cultural elements could have been explored more meaningfully. With better storytelling and direction, this could have been a truly memorable film.

I enjoy bad horror movies. Especially ones that try. Here is a movie that pretends to try, but really does nothing.

This movie fails at every step. It fails to make it's characters interesting, it fails the make the plot engaging, it fails to create the atmosphere it intends to, and most importantly it is hard to make sense of.

Was the investigation thrilling? No.

Was there any sign of decent acting? No.

Is the screenplay good? No.

Is there good camera work? Yes.

Is there good music? Although even the music failed to create any real excitement, it did have some good aspects and could have been more impactful if the scenes made sense.

Would not recommend.

Don't rely on user ratings and reviews; the movie was too boring to hold the audience's attention. Better avoid it. By the end, you're not scared-you're just relieved it's over. A horror film where the only thing that dies is the audience's patience. The film boasts dim lighting, endless walking scenes, and dialogue so slow, a meditative journey into absolutely nothing. Watching this film was like opening a horror novel and finding a user manual inside.

Vadakkan is less a horror film and more a cautionary tale about what happens when ambition isn't matched by execution. Watch it only if you're conducting sleep experiments.

The movie felt like an adaptation of found footage horror into a Kerala setting, involving folk like Theyyam. But still they failed to deliver something original to the table. I expected a more smoother blend, but this was just American wine poured into an Indian bottle - superficially repackaged without tasting either flavour. The premise had a lot of potential and they just ruined it.

The cinematography was pretty good, capturing the eerie beauty of rural Kerala. Kishor's acting too, was decent. I also appreciate the experiment. These are the only positives I felt.

I don't understand how it got such a high rating. Maybe people liked the experimentation angle. But for a dedicated horror fan like me, this was a below par attempt.

I saw this movie because andre borges recommended it on Instagram, but if these are how his recommend movies are i think im going to unfollow him. What a waste. I cannot find a word better than garbage. Cant believe he is the same guy from kantara .... Dont spend your time watching this borning movie.. hope ppl can use this reciew to save themselves and two hours of their life.

Absolutely trash , whoever decided to make this movie . How could andre borges even recommend this movie on this account is beyond me. Story is zero. Acting a complete zero ... and the english version of the movie is yukkks.

The movies tried to mould together the eeriness of found footage and the goosebumps of folk horror but fails at both. The reality show cast is very good at hamming and ruining their respective scenes where as Raman and Megha are halfway decent with Anna being very bland.

The only redemptive part of the movie was its backstory segment which was shot and executed with haunting beauty

The location and sound design are hauntingly beautiful bug that's about it. The scares are not scary and the ending just feels like a try hard transition from the nitty gritty horror to a higher plane philosophical tragic death ending.

Overall the movie is a study in failed potential to utilise the ample darkness of Kerala's rich folklore.

Vadakkan is an absolute disaster of a film. From the painfully slow pacing to the unbearable acting, there's not a single redeeming quality. The plot is a confusing mess, the dialogues are cringe-worthy, and the cinematography looks like it was shot by amateurs. It feels like a total waste of time and energy. I genuinely regret watching it and wouldn't recommend it to anyone - not even as a joke. No one I know liked it either. Save yourself the frustration and skip this one entirely. Watching paint dry would be more entertaining. Sakin izlemeyin izlettirmeyin berbat bir film. Ben izledim zaman kaybI yarida biraktim.

Indian cinema has made good progress in the field of horror films, but in this film we did not see a good film. Too many actors, a relatively weak ending, much weaker scares (especially the scene where the young man was sitting on a chair and was dragged in the middle of the living room), it was not only not scary, but also funny. So the score is 4. I think if we compare it with other Indian supernatural films, it was much weaker. Even the CGI was weak. In supernatural movies you have to have the best CGI and the best scares. This movie had neither. I didn't feel even a bit of fear or excitement. I don't think the actors played their roles at all. Of course, one shouldn't expect more from Indian cinema.