Maranamass story: A serial killer has taken the lives of three elderly men, making Luke PP the primary suspect due to his violent tendencies. This situation has resulted in his girlfriend ending their relationship, serving as the final catalyst for his community to consider sending him away to Czechoslovakia. What unfolds when he encounters the serial killer, his ex-girlfriend, a bus conductor, a driver, and a corpse inside a bus on a fateful night?

Maranamass review: Dark comedies present a unique challenge, yet they have recently emerged as a reliable genre in Malayalam cinema, particularly with Basil Joseph in the lead role. It is therefore understandable why the creators of Maranamass chose him to portray Luke PP, a 'sigma' male characterized by a penchant for destruction, in this film filled with humor and eccentric characters.

Similar to Basil's earlier works in the genre, such as Nunakkuzhi and Pravinkoodu Shappu, Maranamass does not depend exclusively on him for its comedic elements, which has proven advantageous for the film. Featuring Siju Sunny, who co-wrote the script alongside director Sivaprasad, as well as contributions from Suresh Krishna, Anishma Anilkumar, and a comical performance by Rajesh Madhavan as a serial killer preying on elderly individuals, the movie offers a wealth of humor.  

What truly emphasizes the impact of the work is the creators' ability to blend humor not only from witty dialogues—such as "Isn't a dragon a bird?"—but also from the darkly comedic scenarios in which the characters find themselves. These situations include activities like exhuming a grave during a pre-wedding photoshoot, igniting a funeral pyre in a junkyard, or being bewildered while dealing with a corpse.

Both Sivaprasad and Sunny merit recognition for their keen focus on the protagonists and their unique traits, allowing these characteristics to resonate on screen. This is evident in scenes featuring a police officer named Sreenarayana Menon, the introduction of the antagonist set against a "killer offer" in a barbershop, or even a pepper spray can promoted by a religious organization, boasting the tagline that it "can even make God cry."

A significant portion of the narrative takes place on a bus, which constitutes the most engaging segments of the film. However, akin to many journeys, the initial excitement can wane as the ride continues, leading to a potentially uneven experience towards the conclusion. The writing becomes less coherent in the latter half, with some key characters sidelined and subplots, such as that of a missing dog, consuming more screen time than necessary. This detracts from Maranamass's potential to emerge as a tightly crafted dark comedy.

Although the climax does not fully embrace the exuberance characteristic of classic Priyadarshan films, it still fails to deliver a strong impact. While the humor derived from the ritual in the waste disposal yard adds some value to the film, by that point, viewers may feel they have already anticipated the outcome.

JK's music doesn't stand out, which necessarily isn't a bad thing. Neeraj Ravi's cinematography does give the film, which has several closed-in portions, a peppy feel, justifying its genre.  

Maranamass verdict: Basil Joseph's dark comedy, though packed with laughs, works only in parts. However, the film is a breezy watch if you want to enjoy the Vishu weekend, leaving all the care behind. 

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