Drishyam 3 Movie Review: "The past never stays silent."
Drishyam 3, the much-awaited third installment in the iconic Malayalam thriller franchise, hit theaters on May 21, 2026. Directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal in his signature role as Georgekutty, the film arrives over a decade after the original Drishyam (2013) redefined Indian suspense cinema. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor under Aashirvad Cinemas, it runs approximately 2 hours 37-39 minutes and was released in Malayalam with dubbed versions in other South Indian languages.
The franchise built its reputation on intelligent storytelling, moral dilemmas, and a relatable everyman hero who outsmarts the system to protect his family. Drishyam 3 picks up roughly four-and-a-half years after Drishyam 2, with Georgekutty now a successful local film producer living a relatively stable life with his family. While it aims to conclude the saga (though mid-credit hints suggest otherwise), the film shifts tone toward deeper character exploration and emotional family drama rather than pure cat-and-mouse thrills. It has grossed over ₹100 crore worldwide quickly, proving the enduring appeal of Georgekutty, but critical reception remains mixed.
Plot Overview
Without major spoilers, the story follows Georgekutty (Mohanlal) as his carefully constructed life faces new threats from the past. The family—wife Rani (Meena), daughters Anju (Ansiba Hassan) and Anu (Esther Anil)—has moved forward, but unresolved elements from previous crimes resurface, forcing Georgekutty to confront the psychological toll of his secrets. A new investigation or related development puts pressure on the family, blending elements of guilt, moral erosion, and the cost of self-preservation.
Jeethu Joseph’s screenplay spends significant time in the first half building domestic life, family dynamics, and Georgekutty’s evolution into a film producer, which cleverly meta-references the franchise. The second half ramps up tension with classic Drishyam elements—investigations, confrontations, and clever maneuvers—culminating in a climax that focuses more on emotional and moral payoff than shocking twists. The narrative explores how prolonged secrecy isolates Georgekutty, turning self-preservation into something more complex and darker.
Performance
Mohanlal is the undisputed highlight and the film’s saving grace. He brings layers of nuance to Georgekutty, portraying a man burdened by years of carrying heavy secrets. His subtle expressions, quiet intensity, and ability to convey inner conflict—especially in the latter portions and climax—elevate the material. Many reviewers note that only Mohanlal could do justice to this iconic character, delivering a performance rich in finesse and emotional depth.The supporting cast is serviceable but largely overshadowed. Meena as Rani provides steady emotional support, while Ansiba Hassan and Esther Anil handle their roles adequately as the grown daughters. Veterans like Siddique, Asha Sharath, and Murali Gopy add weight to the investigative side, but some supporting performances feel functional rather than memorable, with occasional criticism for dated styling or wigs. Overall, the ensemble works for the family drama aspects but doesn’t reach the heights of Mohanlal’s central turn.
Technical Aspects
Jeethu Joseph’s direction is methodical and slow-burning, true to his style, but this time it results in a more leisurely pace that some find dragging, especially in the first half. Cinematography by Satheesh Kurup captures the Kerala locales effectively, though visuals lean toward functional rather than striking. Editing by Vinayak VS maintains coherence but can’t fully mask the film’s length (around 159-160 minutes).Music by Anil Johnson is understated, focusing on mood over chartbusters, with the background score aiding tension in key sequences. Production values are solid, reflecting a big-budget Malayalam film, with good attention to detailing Georgekutty’s world as a film producer. However, the visual style feels somewhat outdated to some critics, relying on heavy-handed drama rather than modern thriller polish.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Final Verdict
Drishyam 3 is a mixed but worthwhile addition to the franchise, best appreciated as a character study of Georgekutty’s long-term consequences rather than a high-octane thriller. It succeeds in humanizing its protagonist and delivering emotional resonance, anchored by Mohanlal’s legendary screen presence. While it may not match the groundbreaking impact of the originals, the second half and moral complexity make it engaging for fans.For newcomers, start with the first film. For loyal viewers, it offers closure (of sorts) with enough craft to justify a watch, especially on the big screen.
Rating: 2.75 / 5
Drishyam 3, the much-awaited third installment in the iconic Malayalam thriller franchise, hit theaters on May 21, 2026. Directed by Jeethu Joseph and starring Mohanlal in his signature role as Georgekutty, the film arrives over a decade after the original Drishyam (2013) redefined Indian suspense cinema. Produced by Antony Perumbavoor under Aashirvad Cinemas, it runs approximately 2 hours 37-39 minutes and was released in Malayalam with dubbed versions in other South Indian languages.
The franchise built its reputation on intelligent storytelling, moral dilemmas, and a relatable everyman hero who outsmarts the system to protect his family. Drishyam 3 picks up roughly four-and-a-half years after Drishyam 2, with Georgekutty now a successful local film producer living a relatively stable life with his family. While it aims to conclude the saga (though mid-credit hints suggest otherwise), the film shifts tone toward deeper character exploration and emotional family drama rather than pure cat-and-mouse thrills. It has grossed over ₹100 crore worldwide quickly, proving the enduring appeal of Georgekutty, but critical reception remains mixed.
Plot Overview
Without major spoilers, the story follows Georgekutty (Mohanlal) as his carefully constructed life faces new threats from the past. The family—wife Rani (Meena), daughters Anju (Ansiba Hassan) and Anu (Esther Anil)—has moved forward, but unresolved elements from previous crimes resurface, forcing Georgekutty to confront the psychological toll of his secrets. A new investigation or related development puts pressure on the family, blending elements of guilt, moral erosion, and the cost of self-preservation.
Jeethu Joseph’s screenplay spends significant time in the first half building domestic life, family dynamics, and Georgekutty’s evolution into a film producer, which cleverly meta-references the franchise. The second half ramps up tension with classic Drishyam elements—investigations, confrontations, and clever maneuvers—culminating in a climax that focuses more on emotional and moral payoff than shocking twists. The narrative explores how prolonged secrecy isolates Georgekutty, turning self-preservation into something more complex and darker.
Performance
Mohanlal is the undisputed highlight and the film’s saving grace. He brings layers of nuance to Georgekutty, portraying a man burdened by years of carrying heavy secrets. His subtle expressions, quiet intensity, and ability to convey inner conflict—especially in the latter portions and climax—elevate the material. Many reviewers note that only Mohanlal could do justice to this iconic character, delivering a performance rich in finesse and emotional depth.The supporting cast is serviceable but largely overshadowed. Meena as Rani provides steady emotional support, while Ansiba Hassan and Esther Anil handle their roles adequately as the grown daughters. Veterans like Siddique, Asha Sharath, and Murali Gopy add weight to the investigative side, but some supporting performances feel functional rather than memorable, with occasional criticism for dated styling or wigs. Overall, the ensemble works for the family drama aspects but doesn’t reach the heights of Mohanlal’s central turn.
Technical Aspects
Jeethu Joseph’s direction is methodical and slow-burning, true to his style, but this time it results in a more leisurely pace that some find dragging, especially in the first half. Cinematography by Satheesh Kurup captures the Kerala locales effectively, though visuals lean toward functional rather than striking. Editing by Vinayak VS maintains coherence but can’t fully mask the film’s length (around 159-160 minutes).Music by Anil Johnson is understated, focusing on mood over chartbusters, with the background score aiding tension in key sequences. Production values are solid, reflecting a big-budget Malayalam film, with good attention to detailing Georgekutty’s world as a film producer. However, the visual style feels somewhat outdated to some critics, relying on heavy-handed drama rather than modern thriller polish.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Mohanlal’s powerhouse performance and character depth.
- Strong second half and final 30 minutes that recapture Drishyam tension and emotional weight.
- Thoughtful exploration of guilt, isolation, morality, and family bonds—elevating it beyond a simple thriller.
- Clever meta-elements and satisfying payoff for long-time fans.
- Solid box office pull and word-of-mouth for audiences invested in the franchise.
- Slow and somewhat predictable first half that feels dragged out.
- Lacks the fresh, edge-of-the-seat twists and cleverness of the first two films.
- Pacing issues and lengthy runtime test patience.
- Supporting characters and some subplots feel undercooked or repetitive.
- Shifts more into family drama, which may disappoint pure thriller enthusiasts.
Drishyam 3 is a mixed but worthwhile addition to the franchise, best appreciated as a character study of Georgekutty’s long-term consequences rather than a high-octane thriller. It succeeds in humanizing its protagonist and delivering emotional resonance, anchored by Mohanlal’s legendary screen presence. While it may not match the groundbreaking impact of the originals, the second half and moral complexity make it engaging for fans.For newcomers, start with the first film. For loyal viewers, it offers closure (of sorts) with enough craft to justify a watch, especially on the big screen.
Rating: 2.75 / 5
Drishyam 3 earns a rating of 2.75 out of 5, succeeding as a thoughtful character study on guilt, family, and consequences, elevated by Mohanlal’s brilliant performance and a strong emotional second half. However, its slow pace and lack of fresh twists prevent it from matching the gripping brilliance of the first two films, making it a decent but not exceptional watch for franchise fans.
