“Nizhal,” a gripping crime thriller directed by debutant Appu N Bhattathiri in 2021 and available on Amazon, stands out among other horror movies due to its emphasis on logical storytelling. The film’s narrative, as suggested by its title, unfolds like a haunting mystery, shrouded in shadows that keep the audience on edge.
The opening credits cleverly set the tone, presenting the story in a notebook-like fashion during the first haunting scene. The film’s editing is skillfully executed to align with the storyline’s rhythm, maintaining a captivating flow throughout.
The plot commences with a shocking accident involving First Class Judicial Magistrate John Baby (Kunchako Boban), driven by motives of revenge. Subsequently, John Baby dons a mask, a choice that initially drew criticism for its seemingly irrelevant nature. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that the mask serves a purpose, enabling John Baby to forge a connection with Nithin (Nayantara’s son) and confide in him. This strategic use of the mask mirrors the trust dynamic seen in the Hollywood film ‘Sixth Sense,’ akin to the bond between the young boy and the doctor. Despite initial skepticism, the mask emerges as a clever narrative device, deepening the intrigue and adding a layer of complexity to the characters and their relationships.
Examining the impact of the film, it is crucial to highlight that the pivotal moment in Rain Scene, despite the presence of background music and visual effects during that sequence, has been presented remarkably. This particular scene transforms the film into a psychological thriller, showcasing its ability to captivate the audience with its compelling twists. It was truly remarkable that this unfolded due to the HALLUCINATIONS experienced by John Baby following the ACCIDENT. When examining this particular occurrence in relation to the broader context, it reveals a subsequent event: a hand emerging from the swamp and seizing his leg.
As the first half of the movie unfolds through John Baby’s perspective, it aligns with the conventions of horror content. This distinctive approach sets the film apart from the conventional horror thriller. Sooraj S. Kurup has done the film’s background music distinctively, deviating from the customary BGM styles seen in contemporary horror films. The foundational melody of the song “STORIES BURNING LIKE A FIRE” takes on diverse forms throughout the film, adeptly capturing and conveying the heightened intensity of each scene to the audience.
- Rain Twist Scene.
- Baby is reading the first story of Nithin
- Entry scene of Bhanu (Mohan’s Lover)
- The scene where the baby walks through the swamp.
These sequences exhibit the pinnacle of editing, bgm, and cinematography. Undoubtedly, these elements are what captivated and excited the audience the most in the movie. Following that, we must highlight the double plot twist in the film’s climax, which unfolded in a manner we had not anticipated. The introduction of a new character and his subsequent confession in a single scene were presented exceptionally by the director. Nizhal is pioneering by incorporating a background effect to portray the villain’s brutality, making it a distinctive and noteworthy feature in filmmaking. In summary, Nizhal stands out as a commendable work in a unique aspect.
