Sookshmadarshini story: Manuel and his mother move back to their home in a housing colony. But as days go by, their neighbour Priyadarshini notices that something is amiss, especially with the relationship between Manuel and his mother. Her doubts peak after the mother goes missing.

Sookshmadarshini review: Director MC Jithin, who had previously helmed the coming-of-age movie Nonsense revolving around BMX, had revealed that with his second venture Sookshmadarshini, the idea was to create a Hitchcockian mystery in a world that Malayali viewers would typically associate with Sathyan Anthikad movies.

The Sathyan Anthikad element that MC clearly refers to here is that of the people in a neighborhood; each snooping in each other's lives and also offering sometimes unsolicited advice. But it's how brilliantly that Sookshmadarshini’s writers Libin TB and Athul Ramachandran use these interesting characters to weave a totally gripping suspense thriller, which keeps the audience engaged through and through that makes the movie, an absolute must-watch. And the performance of its cast is the cherry on top.

With the story of this Basil Joseph and Nazriya-starrer set in a housing colony, where the women are tightly-knit through their WhatsApp group, the makers place a mystery of what has happened to an elderly woman who along with her son moved to their neighbourhood a few weeks ago. The ‘detective’ in the story is their next-door neighbour Priyadarshini (Nazriya), who quickly notices that something is amiss, even as the son, Manuel (Basil), puts together and executes a plan to fool everyone. There are two investigations going on at the same time — one where Priyadarshini is trying to find out what happened and one where the audience themselves will try to piece together from the clues that are on the table.

That the makers are smart enough to understand this and keep the game afoot is what makes Sookshmadarshini, an engaging suspense thriller. It sucks the viewer through its smart writing, an electrically brilliant cast and intrigue-filled sequences that surprise and shock at the same time.

The writers effectively use the trope of women in the neighbourhood to unravel the mystery, while also keeping everyone including its antagonists on the edge. This also gives the final set of reveals, the punch that they require for a rousing finish.

Nazriya as the neighborhood sleuth is brilliant in her role and it's credit to her craft that even if she picks roles only once in four years these days, she ensures they are all memorable. As Priyadarshini, you can't help but go along with her instincts and want her to unravel the mystery - not just for her character’s sake but for ours too. Basil too deserves credit for picking a character that is a far cry from anything he has recently played, while balancing the sombre and dark shades. Sookshmadarshini is also one of those films where not a single character feels unneeded; they are all essential to the plot. The supporting cast of Akhila Bhargavan, Siddharth Bharathan, Kottayam Ramesh and Pooja Mohanraj all add to how well this story is weaved and executed.

Christo Xavier's music keeps things gripping, only peaking for the shocks, while Sharan Velayudhan’s frames and Chaman Chakko’s cuts retain only what's required — maximising the potential of the film.

Sookshmadarshini verdict: This Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim film is a brilliantly crafted and executed film that makes for a gripping suspense thriller that must be watched in theatres. The performances of the lead actors along with the clever writing are sure to keep you on pins and needles.

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