Horror films are hardly made in Mollywood these days. So, when such a film comes in, one has to welcome it with open arms and unmitigated support. It will be very difficult to not be impressed with debutante Jay K's horror period drama as it tries to be one of Malayalam industry's defining films of the 21st century.
Ranjan (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and Priya (Priya Anand) are a happily married young couple who decide to move from Mumbai to Kochi after the former gets a promotion with transfer from his company. The duo quickly purchase and move in to an old villa with the thought of creating a family. With Ranjan busy with his new responsibilities, Priya shows diligence as a homemaker and tries her hand to give the villa a makeover. One such thing that she thinks will help her in her quest is an antique Jewish box. Ignoring the ominousness surrounding it, she buys it and brings it home without having an iota of hint about the horrors that she and Ranjan are going to be subjected to by the vengeful spirit that it houses...
Starting from the opening sequence, director Jay K succeeds in pulling its audience into the story that seems innocuous at first, but slowly starts to pick up, ultimately turning into a fast-paced, intense thriller. The first death in the film is so frightening that you will feel the characters' fear and pain in your own heart as it will begin to beat faster with every inch the story takes. Writers Manu Gopal and Jay (seem to) have done enough research when they introduce the Jewish myth about the dybbuk box and carve their story around it. Despite being a popular concept in the Jewish folklore, I'm sure it is going to be something new to the Indian audience.
With sufficient doses of jump scares in the first half, the makers perfectly create a base in the film which escalates so quickly in the second half that you will sit in your seat wondering whether you are watching a Malayalam film. The style of narration as it explores the two central characters and their movements is phenomenal. With a flashback story and a winning twist at the end, there is no way you will feel a decline in the entertainment. You will want to focus on every detail as the story unfolds and slowly starts to make sense.
Three of the biggest achievements here are the background score, production design, and cinematography. Without them, a horror film like this wouldn't even survive the first 10 minutes. Sushin Shyam enthralled us with his track in one of 2016's best films, Kismath, and in 2017 returns to score a film which half works because of his genius. The eerie soundtrack, supported by the jump care sequences and brilliant camera work is all that Jay K needed to make his debut a roaring success. Even the songs by Shyam and Raj are great to sing along to. Sujith Vaassudev may be a bad director, but boy, he can crank that camera. I am especially in love with those sequences where the camera tilts leftwards so as to make the audience move like puppet just because we want to know what happens next. Brilliant technique right there. Fabulous production design supports the makers in making the film look real and convincing. You cannot tell a horror story without getting creative, for which Ezra gets at least 8 out of 10.
Cast performance is another thing which propels the film into almost being a triumph. Sukumaran finally gets mature and manages to portray a character with believable conviction. He does his part very well, and the final 15 minutes are going to be important for his future career. Newcomer Anand may be hot, but she still has a long way ahead. Supporting actors like Tovino Thomas, Vijay Raghavan, Sudev Nair, and Sujith Shanker are all brilliant in their respective roles. Pleased to see Babu Antony, and expecting more from another newcomer Ann Sheetal. All in all, the cast need to be lauded for pulling out those intense sequences which may look easy on reel but are, in real, very difficult and toiling.
Of course, there are plenty of plot holes in the film on which I have had heated discussions with my friends, but once you accept the fact that you cannot narrate a horror story without taking few cinematic liberties, you will start loving it. Director Jay has to be lauded for his attempt at opening a window of fresh air into Mollywood and giving us this exceptionally well-told and well-executed horror film without compromising on quality or bending the genre. His attention to details is another attribute that contributes in making the film a fine affair. Sure, John Varghese's Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015) was a brilliant horror comedy, but this one here is on a whole another level. The story as a whole, with its iconic back story, may look typical to some, but that is not the primary element here. It is the visual extravaganza and the new style of horror in a Malayalam film that needs to be highlighted. One has to just look at the title scene and he/she will understand why Ezra is going to be on the top 10 films lists of 2017.
To conclude, if you are looking for a horror film to enjoy with your friends and family so that you can discuss it on the drive back home, watch Ezra. You will not be disappointed. The visuals are going to haunt you for days.
BOTTOM LINE: Jay K's "Ezra" is an excellent horror film that samples an age-old Jewish myth to narrate a story that incites sheer fear and gives 100% entertainment. There are just no bad parts. Watch it in your nearest theater today.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
