Eko Review: A Slow-Burning, Cold Thriller With a Solid Final Twist

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3/5*

EKO REVIEW MOVIE TALKIES:

Eko, the Malayalam mystery thriller, has been gaining considerable attention for its storytelling approach and, more importantly, its climactic twist. While I do agree that the film delivers a rewarding payoff in the end, the journey leading up to it often feels unnecessarily sluggish. At 125 minutes, Eko spends most of its runtime building an atmosphere that rarely translates into tension or intrigue. In fact, the only truly thrilling portion arrives in the final ten minutes, when the actual twist is revealed and the narrative finally snaps into focus.

Until then, the film unfolds at a deliberately restrained pace, functioning more like a slow drama than a gripping mystery. That said, one could argue that this subdued buildup is a calculated attempt to lull the viewer into complacency before pulling the rug out from under them.

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The story itself is layered and difficult to summarise briefly. A man claiming to be from the Navy seeks information about Kuriachan, instructing Peeyous to report every detail he uncovers. Kuriachan, who once dealt with dogs of a rare breed, has mysteriously disappeared. Meanwhile, his wife Mlaathi lives in isolation on an estate, surrounded by trained dogs that prevent her from leaving the premises.

As Peeyous spots a stranger in the forest and relays this information to the so-called Navy officer, it becomes clear that the man is searching for something far more complex. Questions pile up: What really happened to Kuriachan? Where is he now? And who is truly in control of this unsettling situation? The final twist provides these answers and recontextualises much of what came before, making it essential to experience the film firsthand.

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Visually, Eko is impressive. The locations are striking, and the cinematography is polished and atmospheric. However, the editing in the first half could have been tighter, as it fails to generate sustained mystery or anticipation. The second half fares better in this regard. Performances by Sandeep Pradeep, Saurabh Sachdeva, Vineeth, Narain, Ashokan, Binu Pappu, and Biana Momin feel grounded and sincere.

EKO MOVIE REVIEW:

Bahul Ramesh crafts a solid mystery, though the prolonged wait tests patience. Dinjith Ayyathan’s steady direction makes Eko worthwhile, even if it could have been a more gripping ride. You are aware of the formulas of Shutter Island, The Prestige, The Sixth Sense, The Shawshank Redmeption and such, no? Nonetheless, it’s a decent watch for fans of twist-driven thrillers.

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