Karuvanam

There is one happy and sad thing about 'KARUVANAM' web series. The sadness is that such a brilliant work gets stuck to just YouTube, and it would have been a world famous hit, if it was streamed on giant platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hotstar. The happiest thing lies beneath the reason I cited above. Yes, it's a scintillating web series that makes you feel worthy of watching the entire show without skipping any episodes. The writing is good and I felt that a slight tweaking would have made it much more impactful. But end of the show, the way, writers justify their reason behind taking time to establish the premise and giving importance to all characters, is a sheer brilliance. One of the best web series of 2024, and it's surprising that it comes from other part of the world, and not Tamil Nadu. Such web series should be extolled and made sure that the producers take a note of the ambitious drive of this team, and try to bring on more instalments from this franchise.

When this web series was launched on YouTube, it was released regularly with couple of episodes every week, with each having a duration of approximately 45 mins. But then, when few started going for the binge-watch, they started feeling it's lengthy. I thought let me start watching it with remote constantly glued to my hand, so that I can wrap up the entire show in a short span. To my surprise, I felt that every scene had a significance, and nothing is added here unwanted.

The little girl going to the local photo studio to restore the old film roll brings more mystery on par with the main crisis dealt by Shalini and Meera. Similarly, we are introduced to a lunatic character in the mental health center, where Shalini's husband gets admitted, only to get shocked that the guy who was considered as a clown has a biggest mystery to break.

OMG! The final moments between Shalini and her husband at the hospital, where the mystery gets broken send ultimate fear into the spines.

I want to commend the team on this excellent series they have created for the audience. After many years I am watching something that is keeping me hooked from the start to the end. I have stopped watching dramas for many years because of my job and but this drama is something I watch together with my wife every week. There is no fault I can tell, because I can see the all the massive work that has been done for this drama. Being Singaporean I know the cost to make this must be very high and that we don't get much money like movies or other countries but they have done it and brought a wonderful experience for the audience. If anyone has one hour to spare, I encourage them to watch just one episode. I promise you will be hooked. Thank you for this series.

I must admit, I wasn't initially familiar with the actors, but they delivered performances that were nothing short of exceptional. Their acting was so convincing that I found myself pondering whether these talented individuals hail from Singapore. After watching the series, it sparked a thought in my mind: it would be wonderful to see collaborations between these actors and the mainstream Tamil film and web series industries. It fills me with joy to see a diverse group of gifted writers, directors, and actors from different corners of the world working tirelessly to enrich the Tamil cinema landscape with their incredible talents.

Now, what is "Karuvanam" truly about? Interestingly, I thought it might have been more intriguing if it had been titled "BLACK FOREST," which could have captured even more attention (just a light-hearted suggestion!). However, the screenwriting deserves major accolades and recognition for its brilliance. The directorial skills displayed throughout the series are impressively refined, showcasing a level of maturity that enhances the overall viewing experience. The actors serve as the perfect embodiment of the characters, bringing depth and emotion to the narrative.

Among my favorite moments are those nuanced scenes that are sprinkled throughout the series, each leaving a lasting impression. However, I believe that what will ultimately resonate with most viewers is the second half, particularly the gripping episodes from Episode 6 to the finale. This part of the series is where the story truly captivates, weaving suspense and excitement that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

You don't walk into Karuvanam like you do other shows. You're lured - like Meera and Shalini, drawn to a house that should've stayed locked. A house where silence weighs more than bricks. Where the dead don't haunt... they remember.

Two orphaned twins. One mother they never met. And a home that isn't welcoming - it's waiting. That's the hook. But Karuvanam is not just a haunted-house story. It's a slow, breathless excavation of shame, abandonment, and the mess families make when no one's watching.

And it's terrifying - not because of what jumps out - but because of what never leaves. The air is thick. The framing is surgical. Doors creak not because something's coming... but because something never left. The horror is so still, so still, you don't realize it's on you until you're carrying it around all day.

The performances are taut wires. The twins don't just act - they unravel. One seeks truth. The other clings to denial. Together, they walk the fault line between closure and collapse. Every conversation crackles with tension, every silence feels earned.

And that final reveal? No spoilers - but it doesn't explode. It exhales. And that's scarier.

Final Word: Karuvanam is trauma told in whispers. Horror told in restraint. It's not content - it's confrontation. And once you watch it, you'll never look at family the same way again.