"Dies Irae” arrives as one of the most anticipated Malayalam films of the year, bringing together a strong cast led by Pranav Mohanlal along with supporting performances from Sushmita bhat, Ghibin, Jaya kurup, Arjun and others. The film is directed by the talented Rahul Sadasivan with music composed by Christo Xavier and cinematography handled by Shehnad Jalal. The writing has the director’s signature touch, and the film released this month with expectations already high among fans and critics who follow Rahul's craft.
The story begins with a slight unease that slowly spreads through a small community, as strange events begin to take shape around them. A sense of dread grows through the eyes of Pranav’s character who gets pulled into something larger darker and much older than he can comprehend. The film builds its mystery step by step without revealing too much at once and halfway through the tone shifts into something more intense.
Acting wise the entire cast delivers a fantastic performance. Pranav Mohanlal rises above all his previous work, and truly stands out with a controlled expressive and mature portrayal that shows how far he has grown as an actor. Sushmita, Ghibin, Jaya and the rest of the cast contribute solid performances that hold the film together.
The writing, screenplay and cinematography are where the film shines the most. The plot may not be unfamiliar, but the way it is executed makes it feel fresh. The locations the sets and the prosthetics add an eerie authenticity to the world. The frames feel alive with detail and the visual tone pulls you into a surreal and almost dreamlike experience. The horror sequences and the moments involving blood or tension are executed with stunning realism, and the craft behind each of these scenes shows a team working at the top of their game.
The music and sound department elevate the film even further. The background score stays in your head, and the sound design is sharp atmospheric and extremely effective. Every distant knock, every step and every rising note adds to the fear. For a horror film sound plays a major role, and the team clearly understood that. The limited use of songs also works well as it keeps the tone steady and prevents any shift in mood.
Even though the film is technically brilliant it does not completely justify the horror genre. The number of jumpscares is low and the plot feels familiar even with its strong execution. There is a presence of fear, but it does not fully grip the viewer the way one might expect, especially when compared to the director’s earlier films which set a different standard altogether. As a result the film falls slightly short in terms of pure horror impact.
But overall it remains a decent and well crafted watch with strong performances and exceptional technical work.
Rating: 7/10 ⭐️
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