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Bramayugam backdrop

Bramayugam

15 February 2024Malayalam2h 19m
out of 10
Recommendedmost critics liked it
Monk Score · 9 scored reviews · 3 not rated

Mammootty shines in a folk horror tale that stumbles only at the finish line.

Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Mammootty's lead performance
  • Criticised: predictable and clichéd ending

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Critic consensus

What 9 critics are saying

Critical reception for Bramayugam is largely positive, with reviewers consistently highlighting Mammootty's performance as a standout element across nearly every review. Critics praised the film's blend of folk horror, power politics, and its distinctive black-and-white visual approach, with several noting it as a compelling and rare theatrical experience. The film's layered narrative and overall craft were also commended, though at least one critic pointed to a clichéd and predictable ending as a notable shortcoming. Lower scores from a couple of reviewers suggest some felt the film, while elevated by its performances, did not fully transcend its limitations.

How the 9 scores spread

3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 9 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (12)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. DT Next

    Film review ·

    Clocking at two hour and 19 minutes, Bramayugam manages to be an engaging dark horror thriller with layers of power politics, commendable performances, and impressive making.
  2. The Week

    Film review

    Bramayugam stands as yet another testament to the veteran actor's meticulousness and discernment in choosing scripts. Bramayugam has a major reliance on visual storytelling, but its memorability isn't derived from visual gimmicks or jump scares. Instead, it's the intricate world-building orchestrated by Sadasivan, with significant support from Ramakrishnan, within a confined yet evocative setting, that truly captivated this reviewer.
  3. Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Mammootty doesn't hold back in even the most disturbing scenes in the Rahul Sadasivan film, going all in and extracting the best from himself to elevate the movie.
  4. New Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Bramayugam is a terrifying folk horror film that delivers a beastly performance from Mammootty, offering audiences a rare theatrical experience in black and white cinema.
  5. Ottplay

    Film review

    The film starring Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan and Sidharth Bharathan weaves an engaging tale of power politics, using the dark magic of cinema to create a compelling narrative that transcends the survival thriller genre.
  6. Times Of India

    Film review

    The script, the direction and the art direction brilliantly cultivates the eeriness and makes the film scary. Mammootty keeps the viewers spellbound throughout, with the way he looks, his resounding laugh and the horrors he conveys. Apart from doing a great job of causing delightfully scary chills, Bramayugam also has the nostalgic appeal of a grandmother's tales.
  7. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    Everything about this Bramayugam. Every aspect of the film works towards making this film more of an experience
  8. OnManorama

    Film review ·

    Rahul's 'Bramayugam' and Jijo's 'My Dear Kuttichathan' depict the manipulation tactics of power-hungry people who ensnare gods and demigods like Chathan, Karinkali, Yakshi, etc., exploiting their vulnerabilities to instil fear and exert control over fellow beings. When Jijo Punnoose used fire to display a larger force, Rahul Sadasivan used the Portuguese soldiers as the symbol of a mightier force that would devour Potti and the like.
  9. OnManorama

    Film review ·

    Mammootty has once again reinvented himself in Rahul Sadasivan's 'Bramayugam', with the megastar's dedication to pushing his boundaries evident in this suspenseful horror-thriller that merges horror, thriller, and folktale elements. However, the issue arises with the movie's ending, which seems somewhat clichéd and predictable, though for enthusiasts of thrilling stories with a touch of horror and folklore, this movie is an absolute must-see.
  10. The News Minute

    Film review ·

    Bramayugam is a monochrome horror thriller that explores how power corrupts, with Mammootty delivering a remarkable performance in the lead role.

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