Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi is a slasher horror directed by Sooraj Tom and premiered on OTT platform Zee5. The film stars Saniya Iyappan and Vishnu Unnikrishnan in the lead roles.
Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi is the story of Unnikannan (Vishnu Unnikrishnan), who gets a job as a home nurse in a house secluded from the urban areas, in the middle of a forest. He meets Beatrice, the house owner's daughter who stays alone there. He keeps his cool in the beginning, but slowly things start unsettling as he witnesses many inexplicable things and happenings around him.
This is Malayalam's first horror-slasher film. The film is executed very well, with an interesting screenplay and a fine storyline, but the slasher portions could have been executed better with more intensity and gore. The flick though shines with Saniya’s performance and intriguing screenplay.
A much more intense writing for the violent scenes could have fixed the crack in the film. For the genre, it doesn’t fill up that space completely, leaving an emptiness. The film falls short on horror but manages to maintain the stir and the mystical air throughout the movie.
For the most part, the film maintains its grip with its engaging screenplay. The movie has Saniya’s best and most involved performance to date. The storyline isn’t unhackneyed, but really fits the plot and is ultimately convincing. The making of the film is also top-notch, with spooky sets and sound design. The movie though isn’t charged enough to be a great horror that would give you goosebumps moments.
Saniya Iyappan's role as Beatrice is strongly sketched, with her neat execution aiding the proceedings. Vishnu Unnikrishnan as Unnikannan also fares well. His expressions and dialogue delivery are to the point. Vijilesh Karayad is also convincing and does a good job.
Madhusoodanan Anand’s writing deserves praise. He has penned an engrossing script that has the potential to hold the audience’s attention. Though the story has a good revenge track, the violent portions could have been meliorated much fiercely.
Cinematography by Jithu Damodar Palakkad is a propelling factor of this film. The movie has great lighting and spooky visuals, which adds to the film’s aura. The visuals are great, especially the action scenes. Visually, the film gets a thumbs-up.
Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi is helmed by Sooraj Tom. In his filmography, this is his best film to date and is laudable. The movie goes on well, though a bit more sharp writing and visualization could have made it a better product.