Chathuram, directed by Siddharth Bharathan, is a femme-fatale drama that delivers in parts. Written by the director himself alongside novelist Vinoy Thomas, many of the plot points are predictable (if you've seen the trailer) and play out exactly as anticipated. However, the lead performers (Swasika, Roshan, Alencier, Santhy) sink their teeth into the minimalist screenplay and come up with compelling feats. Swasika effortlessly scorches the screen in the role of Selena whose current motivations are obvious. She's the kind who'll take extreme measures to achieve what she wants, including seduction and emotional manipulation. Whether it's being sultry, dramatic, or massy (in a couple of instances), Swasika is on point (credit to Stephy Zaviour's costume design too!). The chess board is THE perfect metaphor.
Alencier may get typecasted as the chauvinistic husband, but he's pretty good at it, especially in scenes where he cannot speak. The character of Balthazar is right up Roshan's alley and even when the emotional pivot of the film falls upon him in the second half, he's able to hold up his end of the bargain. Not much happens in terms of plot in the second half, and while there are a few moments of thrill, it largely focuses on Balthazar's dilemma. Since each of the leads is sufficiently grey-shaded, it alway remains interesting to see what happens to them in end. But the finale lacks that much-needed punch. It works only from an allergorical perspective - beginning in a car journey and ending in one - with key characters switching seats.
