Malayalam cinema is known for its diverse stories, realistic acting, and strong scripts. 'Sookshmadarshini' is another blockbuster Malayalam film, which was released in theaters on November 22, 2024, and is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada from January 11, 2025. Directed by M.C. Jithin, this black comedy-mystery thriller starring Nazriya Nazim and Basil Joseph in the lead roles created a sensation at the box office by collecting ₹55 crore. With a script written by Atul Ramachandran and Libin TB, music by Cristo Xavier, cinematography by Sharan Velayudhan, and editing by Chaman Chacko, the film is entertaining for 2 hours and 22 minutes with a UA rating. Nazriya's curiosity, Basil's shady character, and the kidnapping twist seen in the trailer have raised expectations. How was this movie? Let's see my feelings, highlights, and shortcomings in this review.
What's in the story?
Priyadarshini alias Priya (Nazriya Nazim) lives happily in a small town in Kerala with her husband Antony (Deepak Parambol) and daughter Kani. Bored as a housewife, Priya looks for a job and passes the time by sharing gossip in a WhatsApp group with her neighbors Steffy (Merin Philip), Sulu (Akhila Bhargavan), and Asma (Pooja Mohanraj). Meanwhile, Manuel (Basil Joseph) comes next door with his elderly mother Grace (Manohari Joy). Manuel Grace is friendly with everyone as the owner of the bakery, but Priya is suspicious of his behavior. Manuel tells her that his mother has Alzheimer's, but Grace's absence twice and Manuel's strange behavior increase Priya's suspicions. Priya secretly starts an investigation with Steffy, Sulu, and Asma. What is Manuel hiding? What happened to Grace? Will more secrets be revealed than Priya expected? This is the story.
My Feelings: Thrilling ride, but slow start!
When I saw the trailer of Mikadarsini, I thought that it would be a hit with the Nazriya-Basil combo, with its Jati Ratna style comedy and mystery twist. The character establishment, rural setting, and lighthearted comedy scenes in the first half are good, but they feel a bit slow. Reviews in 123Telugu and Eenadu have criticized the first half as “slow-paced, repetitive”. The screenplay picks up momentum in the second half, with unexpected twists and the climax giving goosebumps. Hindustan Times has praised it as “a smartly written fun thriller, one of the best Malayalam films of 2024”. IMDb has a rating of 8.3/10, with one user on X writing “Second half, climax super, Nazriya-Basil performance top!” reflecting the sentiment. Although the film starts slowly and hits the mark with an unexpected reveal in the climax, the pace of the first half and some convenient twists (Priya being the only one suspected) are somewhat disappointing. South First said that the “subtle portrayal of same-sex relationships” was a plus.
Acting, technical aspects
Nazriya Nazim (Priya) is the strength of the film. Her energy as a curious housewife, maturity in the investigation scenes, and emotional depth in the climax are amazing. Telugu One praised her as “hyper-active yet controlled”. Basil Joseph (Manual) impressed with his performance as a shady character, with a smiley and suspicious performance. 123Telugu praised his “suspense creation”. Manohari Joy (Grace), Akhila Bhargavan (Sulu), Pooja Mohanraj (Aasma), Siddharth Bharathan, and Deepak Parambol are well-rounded in supporting roles. M9 News praised the supporting cast as “flashless”.
Technically, the BGM by Cristo Xavier brings the film to life. M9 News hailed it as the “Best BGM of 2024”. Sharan Velayudhan’s cinematography perfectly captures the rural Kerala vibe and suspense. 123Telugu suggested that Chaman Chacko’s editing is crisp in the second half but needs to be tightened up in the first half. The screenplay by Atul Ramachandran and Libin TB impresses with red herrings and unexpected twists. Hindustan Times compared it to Rear Window and The Woman in the Window in style and said that it is “superbly written with local sensibilities”. The production values and Telugu dubbing are decent.
Likes, Dislikes
Likes:
Nazriya-Basil Performance: Both drive the film forward in a cat-and-mouse narration.
Screenplay, Twists: Red herrings, climax reveal gives goosebumps.
Cristo Xavier BGM: Elevates suspense, emotions.
Rural Setting: WhatsApp group, low compound walls, neighborhood vibe are relatable.
Social Issue: Subtle portrayal of same-sex relationship is a plus.
Dislikes:
Slow first half: Character establishment is dragged.
Convenient Twists: Priya's suspicion of the only one, Antony's underutilization is a flaw in logic.
Repetitive Scenes: Gossip scenes, investigation feel stretched in the middle.
Color Tone: Medium According to the review, the color grading is miserable in some shots.
Who can watch it?
Perfect for Nazriya, Basil Joseph fans, those who like slow-burn mystery thrillers like Kishkindakandam, Drishyam, and audiences who enjoy OTT with their families. With a UA rating, there is clean comedy, mild suspense, and a relatable neighborhood drama. Eenaad called it “a big hit with a small budget” and OTTplay praised it as “a gripping outing”. A user on X wrote “Second half interesting, neat climax”. However, those expecting high-energy action like Pushpa or fast-paced thrills like Aranyakandam may find the film slow and plot thin. Another user on X criticized it as “plot thin, climax flat”.
Rating: 3.5/5
Sookshmadarshini impressed with Nazriya-Basil performances, smart screenplay, unexpected twists, Cristo Xavier BGM, and a relatable rural setting. However, a slow first half, some convenient twists, and repetitive scenes stopped the film from being a complete hit. M.C. Jithin, Athul, and Libin started with a strong script, but fell behind in pacing and logic. A gripping watch on Disney+ Hotstar for those who like mystery thrillers!
Release Date: November 22, 2024 (Theatres); January 11, 2025 (Disney+ Hotstar)
Director: M.C. Jithin
Cast: Nazriya Nazim, Basil Joseph, Deepak Parambol, Akhila Bhargavan, Pooja Mohanraj, Manohari Joy
Rating: UA (Black Comedy, Mystery, Thriller)