TheReviewMonk is back — critic reviews for Indian cinema, aggregated. Read our story →

TheReviewMonk
Rekhachithram backdrop

Rekhachithram

9 January 2025Malayalam2h 19m
6.2
from 3 scored reviews · 3 not rated

Weighted from a 6.7 average · Why?

What critics are saying

Critical reception for Rekhachithram is largely positive, with reviewers consistently highlighting its nostalgic immersion in 1980s Malayalam cinema and its ambitious blending of alternate history, mystery, and cinephile homage.

Read all 6 reviews →

Having recently served a suspension for gambling online while on duty, Circle Inspector Vivek Gopinath rejoins the police force and is looking to reclaim his lost honour. Awaiting him is a 40-year-old, unresolved murder mystery with a faceless victim.

Critic Consensus

Critical reception for Rekhachithram is largely positive, with reviewers consistently highlighting its nostalgic immersion in 1980s Malayalam cinema and its ambitious blending of alternate history, mystery, and cinephile homage. Critics praised the film's intelligent, layered writing and director Jofin T Chacko's measured, restrained approach compared to his debut. The thriller elements were noted as well-balanced rather than overwrought. No major criticisms emerged across reviews, though one critic awarded a modest score of 60, suggesting the film may not fully transcend its experimental ambitions for all viewers.

3 rated reviews · 3 positive

Praised: Nostalgia and intelligent writing

AI-generated summary of 5 critic reviews · may contain errors

Report inaccuracy

Critic Reviews (6)

Updated
Vivek Santhosh· Cinema Express
7.0
Some films captivate you with their plot, while others seduce you with nostalgia. Rekhachithram does both and then adds a touch of alternate history for good measure.
Read full review ↗
Sajin Shrijith· The Week
7.0
'Rekhachithram' aims for the cinephile in all of us, and, in doing so, gets you to admire the inventiveness with which director Jofin T Chacko weaves together all the pieces of the puzzle.
Read full review ↗
Anandu Suresh· Indian Express
6.0
In many ways, Rekhachithram (sketch) is a tribute to the magical allure of cinema, which not only captures stories but also preserves it all as historical records, ensuring that everything and everyone within it becomes an inseparable part of the tapestry. Unlike his debut directorial The Priest (2021), where he overused horror, Jofin has adopted a more measured approach here, allowing the narrative to unfold naturally, while also ensuring that it ends up being a compelling mystery thriller.
Read full review ↗
Cris· The News Minute
Not rated
The thriller still manages to keep it balanced, not going overboard with its elements of suspense, and giving small highs until the end.
Read full review ↗
Princy Alexander· OnManorama
Not rated
'Rekhachithram' is an overall experiment, treading on a path that many filmmakers, including veterans, have not dared to do in the past. The film is definitely bound to be a nostalgic ride for cinema buffs as the makers lavishly throw in big names from the 1980s into the movie, and it is intense and engaging at the same time.
Read full review ↗
Shilpa Nair Anand· The Hindu
Not rated
On the whole, Rekhachithram is a unique, cleverly made film that has a lot going for it. Jofin T Chacko's film stirs nostalgia like no other in recent times. It is a cinephile's love note to Malayalam cinema, with intelligent writing where the past and the future organically weave in and out of the narrative.
Read full review ↗

Cast & Crew

Cast

Details

Release Date
9 January 2025
Runtime
2h 19m
Language
Malayalam

User Ratings & Reviews

No ratings or reviews yet — be the first to share your take.

TMDB

This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.