Movies centered on serial killers are rarely average, typically falling into one of two categories: exceedingly tedious or remarkably impressive. "Footfairy," however, manages to carve out a unique space in the middle with its narrative and writing. While it fails to measure up to Bong Joon-Ho's seminal 2003 crime thriller "Memories of a Murder," the film introduces a fresh take on the genre. The story revolves around Vivaan, a seasoned police officer, as he endeavors to track down a serial killer who mutilates his victims' feet post-mortem. Despite being a poor imitation of the aforementioned classic, "Footfairy" manages to hold the audience's attention thanks to its understated execution and methodical investigation, which prompts viewers to become invested in the unfolding events. Let's dive into the movie and see how it all plays out.

The following text contains spoilers.

Does Vivaan discover evidence against Joshua? And could Joshua be the serial killer?

"Footfairy" is a suspenseful crime thriller that follows the investigation of a serial killer called the FootFairy, who preys on women in a town. The movie opens with a gruesome murder of a woman walking along the railway tracks. Inspector Vivaan is assigned to the case and finds the victim's body in a red suitcase. As the investigation progresses, the police find a magazine covered in male sperm at the crime scene, suspecting a taxi driver, but he has a solid alibi. Another murder occurs, and the police learn that all victims had visited a burger place owned by Joshua, who has a foot fetish. While his ex-girlfriend testifies to his violent tendencies, the police lack evidence to obtain a warrant.

In a desperate attempt to catch the killer, Vivaan plans a stakeout with the help of a regular customer but fails. A breakthrough comes when a witness claims to have seen the FootFairy and identifies Joshua as a possible suspect, enough to get a warrant. However, Joshua is not the killer, and he files a defamation case against the police, leading to the case being closed.

The film does an excellent job of building tension and keeping the audience engaged in the investigation's twists and turns. The character development of Vivaan is also noteworthy, as his motivations and emotions drive the story. The movie highlights the challenges and complexities of police work, such as dealing with false leads, uncooperative witnesses, and the pressure to solve a case quickly.

Overall, "Footfairy" is a gripping crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. With a well-executed plot and strong performances, it is a must-watch for fans of the genre.

"Footfairy" explained: Does Inspector Vivaan catch the elusive Footfairy? And what is the significance of the end credits scene?

The movie fast-forwards seven years, where Vivaan has resigned from his job and now runs his own security agency. Life has moved on, and the atmosphere seems calm. Vivaan visits the railway tracks where the murders occurred and reflects while staring into the distance. A child asks him why he and another person are looking at the tracks, and Vivaan realizes that the person is referring to the FootFairy. Vivaan inquires where the man went, and the child points ahead. The movie ends with the railway tracks disappearing into the distance.

During the end credits, we witness a woman walking in a non-Indian location. Suddenly, someone throws a snowball at her, and as she turns back, a plastic bag covers her head, and the screen fades to black. This indicates that the FootFairy is still at large, but has moved on to a different country.

Potential hypotheses: Who is the perpetrator of the Footfairy murders?

Vivaan's involvement: Despite some doubts, it's still possible that Vivaan himself is the Footfairy killer. He had access to information about his neighbor's daughter's whereabouts, and his obsession with pinning Joshua as the culprit seemed suspicious to Devika. However, the appearance of the actual FootFairy at Vanessa's memorial raises questions about whether that was just a red herring. It's also worth noting that in the end credits, the FootFairy is seen in a foreign land while Vivaan is settled in Bangalore with his family. The truth may only be revealed in a sequel, if there is one.

Joshua's involvement: From the beginning, all evidence seemed to point to Joshua. He opened his cafe just two months before the murders started, had a way to narrow down his victims, and the killings stopped when he closed his cafe and left. Additionally, his girlfriend believed he was capable of murder due to his suffocation fetish. However, forensic results proved that his DNA didn't match that of the FootFairy, so he may have had an accomplice. While it's a possibility, it seems too obvious and unsatisfying.

Rishabh's involvement: This theory only emerged in the final few minutes, when it was revealed that Rishabh is in Russia and the FootFairy is operating in a foreign country. It's also suspicious that Rishabh was the one to point Vivaan in the direction of Joshua and always seemed to arrive at crime scenes first. The FootFairy also seemed knowledgeable about police procedure and investigation, which could indicate that he has inside information. However, it's unclear whether Rishabh was an accomplice or a red herring.

A fourth possibility: The writer's intent may have been for the audience to come up with their own theories and not necessarily assign a face to the Footfairy killer. Continuing the story with a sequel could compromise this intent, but it's understandable for viewers to want answers. Ultimately, viewers will choose their own favorite theory and decide whether or not they want a conclusive answer.

What are the film's strengths and successes?

The movie's ability to inspire various conspiracy theories may have raised its status from average to good, but we believe that its straightforward narrative is what makes it successful. The filmmakers do not attempt to do too much and instead keep it simple, with a man searching for a hard-to-find killer. It was refreshing to see a police officer who isn't haunted by his past, and some of the jokes are amusing because they don't feel forced into the storyline. There is the possibility of a sequel where Vivaan continues his quest to catch the killer, or it may end with a comparison between two men: one obsessed with feet to the point of murder, and the other consumed by his pursuit of the killer. Either of these paths would be acceptable to us. While not a "must-see," it is a compelling enough film for a laid-back afternoon and can be enjoyed in this way.

Footfairy is a 2020 drama-thriller directed by Kanishk Varma.