‘Mirage' review: Jeethu Joseph rains down twists in a suspense-packed narrative

What makes thrillers tick? The unpredictability, the pulsating sequences, or simply the uniqueness of the plot? In Jeethu Joseph's world, it is always about twists, and more twists. The director has long relied on this narrative device to keep his films engaging, whether it was 'Memories', '12th Man' or now 'Mirage'. And, of course, there was 'Drishyam', a once-in-a-generation thriller, that not only cemented Jeethu's status as the undisputed king of the genre but also elevated Malayalam cinema to new heights.
'Mirage', as the name suggests, revolves around illusions. The story begins with the death of a young man, Kiran (Hakim Shajahan), in a train accident and follows his fiancee Abhirami (Aparna Balamurali), who struggles to find closure. As she tries to unravel the truth behind his death, strangers — including the police — show up at her doorstep, each seeking answers about Kiran, further deepening the mystery.

Though the film initially appears straightforward, it quickly plunges into a web of deception. The central plot gradually takes shape around Abhirami and Aswin (Asif Ali), an online journalist.
Unlike some of his earlier works, Jeethu skips detailed character development in the first half, choosing instead a non-linear narrative to piece together the mystery surrounding Kiran’s death. Some scenes, co-written by Srinivas Abrol and Aparna R Tarakad, may feel predictable, but Jeethu’s strength lies in weaving compelling twists throughout the film.

Interestingly, the moments leading up to the interval feel sharper and more convincing than the interval sequence itself. Yet, in his effort to sustain suspense and live up to the expectations attached to his brand of filmmaking, Jeethu occasionally overindulges. This lessens the impact of the final reveal — almost to the point of disappointment — which feels uncharacteristic of a storyteller of his calibre.

Although the film is decidedly female-centric, with male characters largely in supporting roles, Jeethu struggles to move away from tropes often tied to women’s backstories. Having used similar elements in his earlier films, the repetition feels somewhat tiring. Aparna Balamurali shines as Abhirami, convincingly portraying the helplessness and inner turmoil of a woman grappling with her fiancé’s death.

She and Asif Ali, reuniting after 'Kishkindha Kaandam', share an honest and natural chemistry. Asif, known for his nuanced performances, plays his part with restraint, supported well by Hakim Shajahan, Sampath Raj, Hannah Reji Koshy, Arun Shyam Gopan and others.

The background score by Vishnu Shyam blends with the narrative, though the music does feel a bit underwhelming. Satheesh Kurup, a frequent collaborator of Jeethu’s, keeps the cinematography clean and unfussy.

Overall, Mirage works as an engaging watch, with Jeethu delivering his trademark twists. But the burden of expectations and a tendency to overplay surprises hold the film back from becoming truly memorable.