Pranav Mohanlal-starrer 'Dies Irae' sets a horror benchmark in Mollywood | Review

The title of Rahul Sadasivan's latest film, 'Dies Irae- The Day of Wrath,' is derived from Latin and refers to the Last Judgement—a pivotal moment in Christian belief when the fate of souls is determined. Given the genre of Rahul’s film, the title seems quite apt, as we once again enter his forte — this time a horror story revolving around a young US-based architect Rohan (Pranav Mohanlal) who is on a short work-vacation in Kerala. Unlike Rahul’s previous period-drama thriller 'Bramayugam,' ‘Dies Irae’ is set in modern-day Kochi, a far cry from the 17th-century South Malabar, which was part of his earlier work.

Rohan’s father is a successful architect who has built an ultra-modern home, which his son occupies during the vacation. One evening, while hosting a party for his friends, he receives the shocking news that Kani (Sushmita Bhatt), a girl from his college days with whom he once had a brief relationship, has tragically taken her own life.

Much like Rahul's previous works, 'Bhoothakalam' and 'Bramayugam,' the director takes his time with the narrative, never rushing to reveal too much too soon. This allows tension to build gradually. There are ominous signs from the beginning, like the opening shot, when a cup shatters at a construction site and the supervisor Madhu (Jibin Gopinath) receives a phone call suggesting someone had died.

However, unlike many horror films that use jump scares in the beginning to jolt the audience, Rahul takes a different approach He opts for a slow-burn style, leaving the plot deliberately ambiguous for a while. Much like in 'Bhoothakalam' and even to an extent 'Bramayugam,' the sense of something being off in the house only emerges after we've been introduced to the characters and their circumstances. Rohan, for instance, is initially introduced as a laid-back, fun-loving guy, though he comes across as somewhat indifferent in his romantic relationships and even friendships.

That said, 'Dies Irae' doesn't quite match the strength of Rahul’s previous works when it comes to plot-building. The storyline is quite simple, without much depth and even feels familiar in several places. The world of Kodumon Potti in 'Bramayugam' was mysterious and captivating, drawing the audience in even without much atmospheric tension. In 'Bhoothakalam', the charm lay in his ability to weave a narrative around themes of unemployment and depression, while also crafting an undercurrent of dread.

However, 'Dies Irae,' which also uses common horror tropes, involving inanimate objects used in films like ‘The Conjuring, deserves credit for its bold vision. The film may not be his strongest in terms of narrative complexity which is probably why he used more jump scares in the latter half, but it is technically grounded and stylistically impressive. The background score by Christo Xavier, who also composed the music for 'Bramayugam,' is one of the film's highlights, perfectly enhancing its atmospheric tension. Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal's close-up shots and the well-executed VFX further elevate the film, making it a visually striking experience.

The performances are undoubtedly one of the film's standout elements. Pranav Mohanlal, best known for his roles in ‘Hridayam’ and ‘Varshangalkku Sesham,’ makes an impressive debut in the horror genre. He delivers a restrained yet powerful performance, particularly in scenes that require him to convey fear. His presence in Dies Irae feels more assured than in his previous films, making it easily his best work to date. Jibin Gopinath and Arun Ajikumar also shine in their roles, bringing a depth and conviction that enhances the overall viewing experience.

Overall, ‘Dies Irae’ is a technically-grounded film that showcases Rahul's continued growth as a filmmaker. It’s another boundary-pushing project for him and a perfect choice for a Halloween watch.