There was major potential here to do something great. Instead, we get yet another weak attempt at emulating the filmmaking school of Lijo Jose Pellissery.
Let’s get the mystery about the confusing title out of the way first. Anjakkallakokkan means the Boogeyman, that oft-perpetuated imaginary monster used to scare little children to keep them in line. Now, here’s the interesting thing the film does with this idea. Within the context of its story and its principal characters, it gives this idea a more practical definition: the Boogeyman residing within all of us. The film could’ve taken this idea and done many more interesting things, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired.
You can read the rest of the review here:
https://www.galatta.com/malayalam/movie/review/anchakkallakokkan/
You can watch the trailer / video review here:
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Baradwaj Rangan 
Rahul
March 19, 2024
I can’t fault Mr. Srijith for thinking that this film overpromised and underdelivered. Although I haven’t seen it myself, judging solely by the music, I can grasp the overpromise aspect. Three songs have been released on YouTube, and at least one of them, ‘Mandharam,’ evokes the disco vibes of the 80s, even down to the actors’ hairstyles. The other two songs, ‘The Gillappies’ and ‘Thumbi,’ are also splendid, blending elements of folk and hip-hop. However, I would encourage everyone to watch the songs and form their own opinions about them.
In defense of the filmmakers, it’s not entirely surprising that they may have struggled to live up to the promise set by the trailer and the music videos, which are truly remarkable.
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MANK
March 27, 2024
This bizarre and interesting film that mixes ’80s Malayalam political cinema with elements of spaghetti Western and Neo Noir deserved a Brangan review .
This is basically an ’80s IV Sasi film involving police, politicians, class struggles , rape, revenge, murder, rural ambiance, raw, brutal characters and violence filtered through a contemporary LJP and Tinu Papachan aesthetic. The film’s visual style and depiction of violence is very similar to Churuli and Chaaver. There are two characters in the film that are straight out of a Tarantino film. And it seems that Kaantara has been much more of an influence on Malayalam films than Kannada cinema, this one set on the Kerala-Karnataka border once again unleashes another theyyamkolam representation of a local deityentity- the titular and very mouthful Anchakkallakokkan. The film’s highlights included two superbly choreographed fight scenes – the first one set in a toddy shop is a cracker and the multilayered acting performances of the cast who all play characters who undergo drastic changes through the course of the film and reveals themselves to be anything but what they started out to be.
Technically, the film is superb , particularly for the very low budget in which the film is made. Looks like Malayalam cinema is now in a golden age where at least the technical craftsmanship in a film, big or small, good or bad, is amazing.
But then immediately after this I caught up on Abraham Ozler on OTT and my god I have to take my words back. This one is a total turkey , with bad writing, filmmaking, acting and a horribly miscast Jayaram in the lead
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brangan
March 27, 2024
MANK: I hear you, brother. I suffered through OZLER, too 😀 The writing was incredibly banal.
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MANK
March 27, 2024
Brangan Boss, Midhun Manuel thomas was always an overrated writer director, but he created quite a stir with Anjam Pathira becoming a superhit-that being a sort of a different crime thriller with lot of technical jargon thrown in. With Ozler, which has also lot of over the top medical terms quoted repeatedly ( not to mention the name of the character itself repeated million times – ozler this ozler that my god it was tiring) it’s more than obvious that he has run out of ideas. Seriously, what the hell was he thinking with the surprise casting of a superstar as the killer of innocent people, horrible!. The prospect of a sequel does not bode well at all…..
I hope you get to watch anchakkallakokkan and share your thoughts…
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