Vadakkan

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.

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.

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'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.