Horror Movie Spotlight: Diés Iraé

Like many, I found the movie’s name, Diés Iraé, tricky to pronounce. I’m quite sure I’m still saying it wrong. But the offbeat name adds to its charm. For those who don’t know, Diés Iraé is Latin for “Day of Wrath.” It’s a term from Christian theology referring to the day when souls are judged.

The first time I heard about Diés Iraé was when I went to watch Lokah. The trailer of the movie immediately captured my attention. The execution looked stylish, and Pranav Mohanlal looked good. I knew then that I had to watch this movie in a theatre.

What’s It About?

A young, wealthy man who lives life to the fullest begins experiencing strange supernatural events in his home after visiting the house of an ex-fling who was found dead in a well. The restless spirit haunting him seems furious for unknown reasons and determined to destroy his life.

Thoughts

Since Diés Iraé is a horror film, only adults were allowed inside the theatre. An ID card was required. The theatre I went to was almost empty, which I actually didn’t mind. It meant no one was around to make unwanted comments or jokes. This has become a real problem in many Kerala theatres. I faced this issue when I went to watch Bramayugam. I hope the film industry or theatre authorities take strict action against such behavior. If they want to attract more viewers, they must ensure a respectful environment. Otherwise, serious movie lovers will simply wait for the OTT release and enjoy the film peacefully at home.

Getting back to Diés Iraé, I wouldn’t call it mind-blowing. The special effects were impressive, though. Nothing looked fake or unintentionally funny. Pranav Mohanlal delivered a decent performance, and he looked great on screen, which helped balance out a few of his less convincing moments.

There are a few jump scares, so be prepared for that.

Overall, the story felt average. If you’ve seen a lot of horror films, this one might not surprise or scare you much. Still, the execution was solid, and the fact that a film of this scale and quality came from Kerala is definitely something to be proud of.

The creepiest part was seeing the line “inspired by true events.” I didn’t dare look up what those events were. Some things are better left unresearched if you want to sleep peacefully at night.

I would say Diés Iraé is a good one-time watch. At under two hours, it’s a quick and engaging film that keeps you entertained throughout.

Netflix Movie Spotlight: Greater Kalesh

It’s Diwali season. This time of year always puts me in the mood for something cozy and family-friendly to watch. But honestly, we just don’t get those kinds of movies anymore. The ones you can enjoy with everyone at home.

Remember the golden ’90s? We’d all sit together and watch Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge without a single dull moment. Okay, not exactly in my family, as I was the only one truly into Bollywood, while the rest were more drawn to Malayalam movies. But I imagine these were the kind of movies that one would typically watch with their families. Nowadays, to relax, I tune into psychological thrillers because family movies do not feel family-oriented anymore.

That’s why I was keen to watch Greater Kalesh when it dropped on Netflix. It’s perfect for people like me who just want to unwind with something light and heartwarming. At under an hour, it’s an easy, breezy watch before jumping right back into Diwali celebrations.

What’s It About?

A young career woman returns home after a long time to celebrate Diwali with her family. She’s excited for a warm, cheerful reunion, but the moment she steps inside, she’s greeted not by laughter, but by chaos. Her family members are in the middle of a heated argument, and she can’t quite figure out what started it.

Thoughts

Greater Kalesh is short, simple, and surprisingly sweet. It doesn’t have high-stakes drama or a strong, twisting storyline. But that’s exactly what makes it refreshing for me. Sometimes you just want something light, easy, and comforting, and this little film delivers that perfectly. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you seek something more cerebral or non-woke, but to me it felt like peeking into the everyday life of a next-door family and watching them sort things out in their own warm, relatable way.

Ahsaas Channa and Supriya Shukla truly shine here. Their mother-daughter bond feels real and layered. The kind that might make you think of your own mom with a smile.

It’s definitely worth a quick watch. Greater Kalesh is now streaming on Netflix.

Movie Review: The One I Love

A lot of love stories released lately haven’t worked for me. I tried Saiyaara, but it felt more Gen Z-oriented. While they cried, I yawned. As a 40+ year-old, I am not quite sure if that yawn stemmed from a vitamin deficiency or because I was genuinely bored. It’s a tricky age group.

Then, I gave Metro In Dino a shot, only to find every character cheating on their partner… while singing songs, of course, because that’s how it is in Bollywood. Your loved one could have died, but you still end up singing a romantic song for your partner. Remember Suraj Hua Maddham?

While I was on this quest for a good love story, I realized there’s no chance of my stumbling upon a feel-good romcom that meets my dreamy requirements. So I thought, why not pick an old movie that already matches my soul? That’s how I ended up choosing this dark, unsettling Black Mirror-type romance, The One I Love.

What’s It About?

A couple struggling with marital issues goes on a retreat to a remote resort. This place, recommended by their therapist, is where many of his former patients have found healing. The home is warm and spacious, disconnected from the outside world, seemingly perfect for reconciliation. But soon, strange and unexpected events happen, which draw out very different responses from each partner.

Thoughts

I enjoyed the movie. It was gripping and featured some excellent performances.

I felt that even though the movie was released in 2014, it resonates with today’s AI age, where many people turn to artificial means to fulfill emotional needs their partners can’t always meet. The filmmaker probably foresaw a future where this would take shape in some shape or form.

I especially felt for the female lead, who genuinely seemed happy with the new experience. She was finally getting what she had always craved, even if it couldn’t last. It leaves you wondering what you might have done in her place. If you’re emotionally craving for a deeper bond, and you accidentally stumble upon it after years of acceptance that you would never experience it in your lifetime, how would you react?

You look at the character, see her face light up with a happiness that was missing in the previous scenes, and you can’t help but wish she could experience that bliss a bit longer. Routine has a way of dulling your emotions. You do not wish to take things for granted, but it happens anyway. These relatable human emotions make you empathize as well as get annoyed with Sophie (played by the talented Elisabeth Moss).

I would say The One I Love was a good watch. It’s currently available for free (not on rent in India, thankfully) on Amazon Prime.

Netflix Movie Review: Inspector Zende

Inspector Zende Poster with Manoj Bajpayee and other Actors

I was in the mood for something light and funny. Since I’m a bit under the weather, my brain just can’t deal with anything too serious right now. I needed some humour to melt the moodiness away. The sticky Kerala humidity, returning after a long bout of pleasant rainy weather, hasn’t helped either. So when I read the synopsis of Inspector Zende, I thought, yup, this is exactly what I need to watch.

What’s It About?

Inspector Zende is inspired by the real-life story of the officer who caught Charles Sobhraj not once, but twice. In the film, the criminal goes by the name Carl Bhojraj, and the plot follows the inspector’s relentless pursuit to nab him a second time.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed the way the movie was narrated. It was light-hearted and fun. Sure, it drags a little in the middle, but overall, I loved how they kept the tone humorous from start to finish. Given the serious subject, they could easily have gone for a heavy treatment, but thankfully, they didn’t. This is exactly the kind of film I’d like to see more of.

Manoj Bajpayee was brilliant as Inspector Zende. We’ve seen him excel in intense police roles before, but here he shines just as much in a lighter, comic avatar. And honestly, I can’t think of anyone other than Jim Sarbh who could have pulled off Carl Bhojraj so well.

If you’re in the mood for something breezy, I’d definitely recommend Inspector Zende on Netflix.

Netflix Movie Review: Khufiya

You won’t always find the newest movie or series reviews here. My watchlist is long, and what I finally pick to watch could have been released years ago. That’s how I ended up with Khufiya. In fact, I didn’t even choose it myself, AI did. I simply shared my watchlist because I couldn’t decide what to watch next, and all the options looked interesting. The AI randomly picked Khufiya for me, and I’d say it did a pretty good job.

What’s It About?

An Indian R&AW agent loses a teammate during a failed mission. When the agency discovers there’s a mole in their ranks, they set a trap to catch him, but the plan takes an unexpected turn.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this movie. It keeps you engaged throughout. Wamiqa Gabbi is the real standout here. Tabu delivers a solid performance, though I wouldn’t call it one of her finest. Wamiqa’s role is the most layered, and she plays it convincingly. There’s also a guruji-like character, seemingly inspired by Sadhguru, who is amusing to watch, though some viewers may find him offensive.

What struck me most was how the film portrays the mindset of traitors. Moles often justify their betrayal by claiming they are “saving the country from conflicts” or “working for peace,” even as they leak sensitive information. In real life, too, Indian spies caught selling secrets often give similar excuses, trying to project themselves as heroes rather than wrongdoers. Khufiya captures this psyche well, showing how enemies exploit such individuals by convincing them they are doing the right thing.

Overall, Khufiya is definitely worth a watch. It is streaming on Netflix.

Comedy Movie Review: Prince and Family

I think it’s safe to say I’m seriously craving a good comedy film. The genre seems to be fading in Indian cinema. I’m not enjoying that shift one bit. Remember the Andaz Apna Apna era? Pure classic. Even Malayalam cinema had its fair share of timeless comedies that still hold up today. That comedy void is exactly what led me to subscribe to Zee5, just to watch the Malayalam film Prince and Family.

To be honest, I’ve become quite disconnected from new movie releases. Life in your 40s tends to be more news-oriented and less in touch with the entertainment world. And to make it worse, the kind of feel-good content I enjoy seems to be rare these days. I was brought up in the era of Yash Chopra and Karan Johar movies. So it’s natural that I miss the soft aesthetics of good ol’ Bollywood romance and the comedy movies of Malayalee actors like Mohanlal and Sreenivasan.

Considering my disconnect, I actually discovered Prince and Family through Instagram Reels. It was the viral dance entry of Chinju Rani that caught my eye and motivated me to subscribe to Zee5.

What’s It About?

Prince and Family tells the story of Prince Chakkalakkal, a well-known fashion designer in his 40s working in Kerala. He carries the weight of his entire family, including his two unemployed brothers and their families, on his shoulders. Despite his success, Prince remains unmarried, struggling to find the right partner.

Enter Chinju Rani. A hyper-energetic woman in her 20s and a popular social media influencer. Their match is arranged through an online matrimonial site.

Chinju Rani lives for the ‘likes.’ Every decision she makes is filtered through the lens of her followers. So much so that on her wedding night, she’s busy editing and posting her wedding video, while her husband waits and eventually falls asleep.

Can two people from such different worlds build a happy marriage? That’s the heart of Prince and Family.

Thoughts

I enjoyed Prince and Family overall. It had a promising comic tone at the start. I only wish they had stuck with that all the way through. While I understand the film’s intention, that is to highlight the dangers of living through social media at the cost of real-life connections, the shift to a more serious tone felt a bit abrupt. Honestly, the world of influencers offers plenty of material for comedy, and the film could have explored that further in a subtle manner without losing its message.

Some of the emotional scenes felt exaggerated. But not to the point of losing interest. The film kept its entertainment quotient intact throughout.

Dileep’s character is particularly interesting. He’s choosy about marriage proposals, with one preference that seems to be clearly dominant over all others even though it’s not explicitly stated: he wants a young, unmarried, attractive woman. Despite being in his 40s, this mindset makes him dismiss proposals from women his own age with a certain disdain. It’s old-school thinking, but it mirrors real-life attitudes in India that still persist. This is why we see 50-year-old Indian male actors romancing 20-year-olds on-screen, while actresses of the same age group play their mothers.

The real star of the movie, though, is Raniya Raanaa. Some might say she’s overacting, but I think she nails the hyper energy of a social media influencer who lives for the camera. Her performance is full of life, and she handles emotional scenes with ease. Siddique and Bindu Panicker are excellent in their supporting roles as well.

All in all, Prince and Family is worth a watch. Just don’t expect too much logic or nuance. It’s streaming now on Zee5.