What’s Halloween without a horror film? This year, Malayalam cinema delivered Dies Irae, starring Pranav Mohanlal, which hit theatres today.
The film landed right on time for the spooky season, and fans expected a true scare-fest. The trailer and teaser kept the mystery alive, revealing nothing about the story and only teasing its eerie tone. That secrecy built strong word of mouth.
Viewers praised Christo Xavier’s haunting sound design for adding depth to the atmosphere and enhancing the tension. Many also called Pranav Mohanlal’s performance the best of his career. Director Rahul Sadasivan has been lauded for pushing Pranav to explore his full range as an actor.
Some fans even feel Dies Irae has redefined Malayalam horror and raised the standard for storytelling in the genre. But not everyone agrees.
While most agree the film isn’t bad, some found it less layered than Bramayugam. They say that apart from Pranav’s acting, the music, and the visuals, there’s little to discuss. They felt the scares were mild, and the tension didn’t build as expected.
The first half moves slowly, with a few repetitive moments, though it ends on a solid twist. The second half drags again until the final fifteen minutes, when the main conflict appears — only to end predictably.
As a result, Dies Irae has divided opinions. For some, it’s a bold and fresh take on horror. For others, it’s a missed opportunity that promised more than it delivered.
What did you think of Dies Irae?
