Nellikampoyil Night Riders Review: A folklore-driven ride with uneven thrills

Malayalam cinema seems to be turning towards stories rooted in ‘Aithihyamala’ and local folklore, and ‘Nellikampoyil Night Riders’, released on Friday, jumps on the bandwagon. A debut directorial venture edited by Noufal Abdullah and written by Sunu A V and Jyothis M, the film stars Mathew Thomas, Sarath Sabha, Abu Salim, and Meenakshi Unnikrishnan in key roles.

Set in the fictional village of Nellikampoyil, which borders Tamil Nadu, the story unfolds in a place steeped in age-old myths and superstitions. The villagers' lives are heavily influenced by these beliefs, giving the setting an air of mystery and fear. Elements including ‘Pokk Varavu’ and ‘Kooli’ add a touch of folklore to the narrative.

The film opens with pan and drone shots that beautifully establish the village and its surroundings. The visuals capture the charm of the place, while the cold, blue-toned palette and occasional jump scares help build the horror mood. It seems like using animation to convey flashbacks has become a trend in Mollywood now, no complaints there, as it was handled decently and adds to the film’s creative edge.

The first half does a good job of setting up the horror elements and atmosphere. While the interval cliffhanger keeps the interest alive, the second half loses pace and feels a bit stretched. The screenplay weakens as the film progresses, and the dialogues fail to make an impact. It also fails to keep the suspense and investigation alive, missing several “hows” and “whys.” Most of the comedy does not land well either.

Shyam, played by Mathew Thomas, is introduced as an energetic and charming young man. Along with his close friends, he gets drawn into the strange and unpredictable nights that haunt Nellikampoyil. In the first half, Mathew seems to aim for a chocolate-boy appeal, which works to an extent but doesn’t leave a lasting mark. Mathew Thomas’s performance feels average, though Merin Philip, Meenakshi Unnikrishnan, and Sarath Sabha deliver good performances. Vishnu Agastya also performs well, bringing back the shades of Suresh Gopi’s iconic ‘Minnal Prathapan’ from ‘Manu Uncle’.

Abhilash Shankar’s cinematography works really well, especially the use of low-angle shots to make characters appear powerful in certain scenes. The camera movements during fight sequences are also effective, and the VFX is impressive — though it’s hard to elaborate as it falls under the spoilers section.

The mise-en-scène reminded of Basil Joseph’s ‘Minnal Murali’, with its carefully crafted set pieces and attention to detail. The background score and songs, especially Vedan’s rap ‘Bhootha Ganam’, blend well with the tone of the movie. There are even moments of fourth-wall breaking that add freshness.

Overall, Nellikampoyil Night Riders is an honest attempt to blend folklore and horror. Despite its weak screenplay, it shines in visuals, music, and atmosphere — a folklore-inspired ride worth a one-time watch.