Director: Midhun Manuel Thomas
Writer: Randheer Krishnan
Cast: Jayaram, Jagadish, Anaswara Rajan, Arjun Ashokan, Senthil Krishna, Dileesh Pothan, Arya Salim
Available in: Theatres
Duration: 144 minutes
Abraham Ozler becomes the second film in the last two years to begin with a not-so subtle narration of Thakshaka’s story, in which he kills King Parikishit by taking the disguise of a worm. If Mammootty’s Puzhu transplanted this tale into the life of a present-day casteist, Ozler uses it ornamentally, giving you the feeling that there’s a lot going on in this police procedural. Midhun Manuel Thomas, who wrote and directed the atmospheric Anjaam Pathira (2020), returns to familiar territory and begins Abraham Ozler too with a series of cleverly written (and shot) murders. The tone isn’t as frightening, but the writing is detailed enough to hook us, right from the first drop of blood.
What adds to its originality is how much of the film revolves around the medical profession. This time, Midhun chooses to write the screenplay and dialogues but relies on Dr.Randheer Krishnan’s expertise as a medical professional for plot and story. This in-turn leads us to fresh territory, including the workings of a medical college and its multi-disciplined student life. But beyond setting, it also throws open the film to a new level of detail with multiple characters explaining very specific medical procedures, at times to a point beyond comprehension.