Vellinakshatram (2004)
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video and MX Player
Balancing horror and comedy is a difficult task. Very few films get the combination right, and Vellinakshatram is one of them. It helps that you have a charismatic Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead, who rises beyond the film’s generic writing and makes it immensely watchable. He essays the role of a heartbroken husband who witnesses paranormal incidents occurring to his daughter Ammu (Taruni Sachdev). While not possessing the spine-chilling effect of other films on the list, Vellinakshatram serves as a fun watch for Malayalam film lovers.
Mayilpeelikkavu (1988)
Streaming on: Sun NXT
A reincarnation story, Mayilpeelikkavu has a decent amount of intrigue and suspense that make this dated film an enjoyable nostalgia ride for fans of the genre. It follows the story of Manu (Kunchacko Boban), who is convinced that he is the reincarnation of Krishnanunni: a man framed and executed for the murder of his lover Kuttimani. Believing Gayatri, his girlfriend, to be the reborn version of Kuttimani, the couple soon embark on a quest to resolve the mystery of their past lives. The movie starts off as a playful romance; however, it’s the twisted tonal shift to the horror genre that makes the film stand out.
Romancham (2023)
Streaming on: Disney Plus Hotstar
It’s been an excellent year for Malayalam cinema as far as exciting content is concerned; however, that has not translated into great box office success for the industry this year. A film that bucked this trend is Romancham, a sleeper hit that is arguably the greatest success story for a small Malayalam film post-pandemic. Watching the movie, it’s not hard to decipher why it worked so well. The premise is relatable: a group of seven bachelors living in a poorly maintained house play around with an Ouija board, and soon their lives turn upside down. Material like this could come across as routine, but debutante director Jithu Madhavan extracts tension by keeping the film grounded. The characters are ordinary people, and the fresh cast of largely unknown faces give a lived-in effect. Romancham is one of those films where everything falls into place to deliver an instant classic.