Amala Malayalam Movie 2023 Review

Amala (Malayalam)

Casts: Anarkali Marikar, Srikanth, Appani Sharath, and Rajisha Vijayan  
Direction: Nishad Ebrahim  
Producers: Muhsina Nishad Ebrahim  
Music: Gopi Sundar  
Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes  

The trailer of Amala implied that the movie would be a psychological thriller — always a preferred genre for filmgoers.

The Tamil film Por Thozhil (2023) is a fresh release that received acclaim from audiences and is performing well in theatres in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

At a moment when this Sarath Kumar-starrer has made the cash registers ring at the box office, a relatively low-budget psychological thriller in Malayalam — Amala has been launched in theatres.

It stars Anarkali Marikar and Appani Sharath in the leading roles. Is this movie delivering a good cinematic experience? Let’s discover:

Unique psychological thriller

Amala is a respectable watch. It narrates the tale of serial murders and how top police officer Akbar (Tamil actor Srikanth) solves the murder cases.

Set in highlands and Kochi, the movie has an intense storyline. It provides a clear understanding of the killer, and the backstory of the psychopath is credible. His childhood is depicted well, adding depth to his character.

The trailer suggested who the psychopath is. So, while viewing Amala, it is not challenging for an average viewer to grasp the plot.

The story begins with a series of murders, and the police conclude that these killings are committed by a psychopath.

Spoiler alert: Interestingly, a convict who successfully escaped prison is discovered to be the serial killer.

Sreekanth portrays Akbar, a top detective who examines the case. A cunning officer, he is in pursuit of the serial killer.

Meanwhile, Basil, an orphan boy, turns out to be the jailbreak convict. Disguised as a cab driver, Basil arrives at a plantation bungalow. He receives a fare to the location where a mute and deaf woman, Sherin, lives.

Upon seeing her, Basil experiences hallucinations. He recalls his old childhood lover Amala, who met a tragic fate. Having been accountable for Amala’s demise, Basil is sent to a juvenile facility.

Having had a fondness for Amala in his childhood, Basil believes that Amala is still alive and even sees her in some women. This compels him to kill those women.

What transpires when he is captured by the police forms a crucial twist in the movie.

According to Akbar, Basil has a different motive, and the makers are given the option to create a sequel.

Execution

Amala is not the typical psycho-thriller where the audience discovers who the killer is towards the climax. Here, the audience is aware of the perpetrator, his history, and his current situation.

Its pace is slow initially. But after the interval, it picks up as Basil takes control and begins his hunt.

Debutant director Nishad Ebrahim crafts the film effectively. It’s a commendable effort from a newcomer.

The soundtrack by Gopi Sundar is also an added benefit for the film. He crafted the music for a film after a prolonged break in Malayalam.

The visuals by Abhilash Shankar are good as they give a feel to the high range.

Performances

Appani Sharath as Basil is the highlight of Amala. He gets a substantial role after a long interval.

Anarkali Marikar portrays Sherin, a woman who is mute and deaf. Her performance in the scene where she is attacked is remarkable. The actress was previously seen in Sulaikha Manzil (2023) and B32 Muthal 44 Vare (2023).

Srikanth as a police officer is commendable. His concluding action sequences with Appani Sharath are commendable.

Bitto Davis, playing a cop in Akbar’s squad, delivers an average performance.

Flaws

Amala succeeds in portraying how Basil becomes a killer in his childhood. But there are some shortcomings that need to be addressed, as the makers plan to produce a second part.

The actors in the initial scenes aren’t suitable, and their dialogues aren’t natural.

The storytelling is good, but the movie initially lacks the pace required for a psychological thriller.

Additionally, the background score isn’t satisfactory in certain scenes.

If these flaws are rectified, the sequel could be more engaging.

Verdict

Amala is a psychological thriller that features fine performances by Appani Sharath and Anarkali Marikar. While it's a passable watch, it could have been improved.