The idea is simple. If someone who hasn't seen a single Malayalam film asks for recommendations, preferably titles from the past decade that are available across streaming services, which ones would you recommend? Here's the first batch of our list:
Aattam (Prime Video)
A deeply incisive, multilayered tale structured around an unsettling incident, the National Award winner, written and directed by Anand Ekarshi, is an independent effort that operates on multiple levels that one cannot accuse of it being just another "slow festival film."
Aavasavyuham (SonyLIV)
A multi-genre hybrid, Krishand's intelligent mockumentary tackles serious themes with a strong undercurrent of humour. Casting fresh faces with no preconceived notions proved advantageous for the filmmaker, who won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Film and Best Original Screenplay.
Bhoothakalam (SonyLIV)
The Shane Nigam-Revathy feature proves that when done right, minimalist horror trumps maximalist horror any day — an aphorism that filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan would follow in his subsequent films (mentioned further down the list) to impressive results.
Bramayugam (SonyLIV)
A monochromatic blend of folk horror, chilling performances (led by Mammootty), and imaginative visual flourishes, filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan firmly cemented himself as a masterful filmmaker for the second time. (Thrice with Dies Irae, now in theatres.)
Joji (Prime Video)
One of the finest and darkest adaptations of "Macbeth", the film is unlike the other attempts at bringing the Bard’s ideas to the screen. From one of the foremost writer-director duos of Malayalam's "new gen" film movement: Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Pothan.
Ponman (JioHotstar)
Character-driven storytelling at its best. Though Basil Joseph plays the lead character here, every other character has a purpose, a clear reason for doing what they do, their share of vulnerabilities, and is answerable to somebody.
Mukundan Unni Associates (JioHotstar)
Vineeth Sreenivasan is a filmmaker often associated with lighthearted entertainers, especially in the romance genre. Editor Abhinav Sunder Nayak got him to play one of the most unapologetically wicked characters in cinema history. Compared often to Nightcrawler, but not a copy.
Nayattu (Netflix) | Ronth (JioHotstar)
Both work well as haunting companion pieces presenting harsh truths about the world we live in. Written by Shahi Kabir, who directed the latter (the former by Martin Prakkat), the films, despite having two different directors, behave like two components of the same piece.
Family (Mubi/ManoramaMax)
In Don Palathara's brilliantly unnerving, masterfully composed feature, the most discomforting character is the protagonist himself — a church-going, quick-to-help, "nice guy" from his community shielded by a religious instituition that prescribes a simple "fix" for his transgressions.
Koode (JioHotstar)
Anjali Menon's poignant film is also her best. Powered by effective performances across the board (Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Roshan Mathew...), the film follows individuals confronting grief and trauma, forming new bonds, and making peace with some of the most unpleasant facets of our existence.
