The Malayalam film industry presents many innovative plots. Crime thrillers stand out among them. These films mix thrillers, dramas, and action. They grab viewers’ attention and keep them watching. Check out these top ten Malayalam crime thrillers movies. Each film offers exciting stories, complex characters, and thrilling suspense. You’ll find psychological thrillers and intense crime films. Every movie will stick with you.
Key Takeaways:
Everyone will get the adrenaline rush they want with these movies.
Discover some great stories based on crime and mystery.
Learn more about the great performances of famous actors.
Find out what new and classic films are in the Malayalam language.
1. Paakalum Paathiravum – A Dark Journey Through Greed and Survival
Starring: Kunchacko Boban and Rajisha Vijayan play the main parts!
In Pakalum Paathiravum, we have Michael, who is a wildlife photographer with a secret mission. The movie is set in the Maoist-controlled forests of Wayanad. With time ticking, this neo-noir action thriller takes the audience into the grittier aspects of life. The movie has a plot full of twists that surprise viewers. It tells a story about survival. Kunchacko Boban shines in this crime thriller. It stands as one of the best crime thrillers of 2023.
2. Wolf – A Psychological Thriller That Develops in a Closed Room
Starring: Arjun Ashokan, Samyuktha Menon
Experience ‘Wolf’, a psychological thriller. It happens during the Covid-19 quarantine. The story focuses on Sanjay. He wants to see his fiancée, Asha. Suspicion and tension complicate his journey. Another feature that enhances the plot is the limited space that confines the characters; the plot is filled with shocking turns that make one wonder about the true intentions of some characters. It is thus a must-watch movie for thriller lovers since it captures human beings’ conduct under pressure.
3. Chathur Mukham – A Techno-Horror Thriller with a Great Concept
Starring: Manju Warrier, Sunny Wayne
Chathur Mukham is basically a techno-thriller/supernatural horror where the technology becomes the killer’s weapon. The plot is based on Thejaswini, who is tricked into buying a low-cost smartphone that is possessed by a sinister spirit. It is a crime thriller horror movie that brings an interesting mystery to the whole film. The movie has Manju Warrier in the lead role, and the performance is quite good. The story is quite spooky.
4. Paappan: An Emotional Crime Thriller with Elements and Twists You Can’t Predict
Starring: Suresh Gopi, Neeta Pillai
Paappan tells a gripping crime drama. A retired police officer returns to solve a homicide case. The story pulls him back into action. Family relations and the desire for revenge define this film while the plot full of turns reveals the concept of forgiveness. The film’s lead actor, Suresh Gopi, gave a very natural performance and brought the emotional side of the film, which makes it a good crime thriller.
5. Ini Utharam – A Play Full of Suspense and Shocking Twists in It
Starring: Aparna Balamurali Kalabhavan Shajohn
In Ini Utharam, Janaki, a doctor, gives herself away as the murderer, but the plot of the movie is not that simple. A confession to a crime pulls the audience into a thrilling story with many twists and betrayals. Aparna Balamurali stars in the lead role. She gives a great performance and plays a key part in the plot. The movie has realistic suspense, and the engaging story keeps viewers eager to see what happens next.
6. Puthiya Niyamam – A Revenge Thriller with a Social Message
Starring: Mammootty and Nayanthara
Puthiya Niyamam is a movie that depicts the life of Vasuki, who seeks vengeance on her own when she is violated. The movie portrays her as she sets out to avenge, and in the process, it exposes the evil and the social issues of human beings. The movie is studded with finesse performances of Mammootty and Nayanthara, which makes this crime thriller a must-watch film. This makes it different from other films in the revenge action thriller genre as it incorporates elements of suspense, action as well as social politics.
7. Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi: A Crime Comedy worth Watching with a Twist to it
Starring: Siju Wilson and Krishna Shankar
Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi is a crime comedy genre film that portrays the story of three friends who were accidentally involved in a criminal case. In this movie, the comedy is intertwined with tension as the three main characters are slowly trapped in a rather confusing situation. Due to the crisp script, the use of humour and the plot, which is full of surprises, it is a welcome addition to the Malayalam crime thriller category.
8. Prathi Poovankozhi – A Movie Based on Revenge and Survival
Starring: Manju Warrier & Rosshan Andrrews.
Madhuri seeks revenge. Prathi Poovankozhi shows her story. She survives rape and fights back. See Manju Warrier in this movie. The movie also portrays how violence affects the emotions of the characters, especially those of a woman seeking justice. This is a crime thriller that contains great performances and a compelling plot, and therefore, one cannot help but be affected by it.
9. Operation Java – A Cybercrime Thriller
Starring: Balu Varghese and Lukman Avaran
Operation Java gives a real-life approach to cybercrime investigation, with cases that are based on real life. It is based on two engineering graduates who work with a cyber cell to solve different cases. This movie is about the negative impact of technology on society today and the effects of crime on society. The storytelling and the acting especially make it one of the best crime thrillers in Malayalam in recent years.
10. Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi – A Creepy Mystery Set in a Remote Bungalow
Stars: Vishnu Unnikrishnan and Saniya Iyappan
A forest hides a secret. In a tiny house, Unnikannan works as a nurse. His patient is old and needs help. But something isn’t right. Fear grows in the quiet woods! As strange and eerie incidents unfold, the movie transitions from a slow-burn mystery to a gripping crime thriller. The psychological elements, coupled with a terrifying backstory, make Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi a haunting experience that’s hard to forget.
These Malayalam crime thrillers provide suspense, action, and high drama and thus showcase why the industry is the best in narration. No matter if you are interested in psychological thrillers or action movies, this list offers different subjects and plots that will not let you get bored. These Malayalam movies are now waiting for you to explore the world of cinema, so don’t miss them!