Aaryan's chilling narrative captivates in thrilling psychological drama

Movie review: Aaryan 

Cast: Vishnu Vishal, Selvaraghavan and Shraddha Srinath

Director: Praveen K

Rating: 8/10 

AARYAN is a psychological crime thriller that intertwines suspense with a social message.

The story follows Azhagar (Selvaraghavan), a failed writer who hijacks a live TV broadcast to announce a chilling fiveday “serial killing story.” Assigned to crack the case is DCP Nambi (Vishnu Vishal), a workaholic cop juggling personal turmoil while racing against time to decode the killer’s prerecorded clues.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Azhagar’s hitlist is far more complex than random vengeance. The police department struggles to uncover his motive, while the narrative steadily escalates into a tension-filled second half.

Vishal is solid as the dedicated cop, his passive expressions speaking volumes of the character he plays. Selvaraghavan steals the spotlight in the opening act with a chilling presence. His later appearances via video messages reduce his impact, but he remains the standout performer. Shraddha Srinath as the TV host caught in the chaos delivers a worthy performance but is underutilised.

Ghibran Vaibodha’s background score complements the thriller tone, heightening moments of dread and urgency. The atmosphere is consistently dark and unsettling, aligning well with the psychological undertones of the story.

Director Praveen K delivers a gripping psychological thriller with genuine suspense and a thought provoking social message. While pacing hiccups and underdeveloped subplots hold it back from greatness, the film’s strength lies in its unique concept and the gripping portrayal of its antagonist played by Selvaraghavan. The second half is packed with tension and genuine suspense, keeping audiences invested.

A recommended watch for fans of crime dramas who enjoy tension, mystery, and psychological intrigue.

Aaryan is currently streaming on Netflix. 

Darshni Pather is an RJ on Southside FM as co-host of the magazine show, Sunday Morning Spice, and hosts the Tamil Top 20.

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