Phoenix - Return to Sender

Phoenix

2023, Malayalam

Director...Vishnu Bharathan

Stars...Aju Varghese, Chandunath, Anoop Menon, Abhirami Bose

Mohan's Measure ⭐

For new readers, there is a huge difference between film noir and horror. And that is exactly why Malayalam film should stay away from the latter.

Using every prop ever found, including mysterious letters and birds, Phoenix plays out an irritatingly overtold horror movie. But somewhere in the middle, it breaks for a romance, making the return to horror all the worse. The acting is virtually missing, everyone either screaming from fear or moping over a failed love affair. 

The whole thing is like a bad bag of popcorn. You hate it, but you keep eating it anyway. And at the end, you wind up with a stomach ache. My state as I write these words.