BOTTOM LINE
A Thriller That Barely Delivers Thrills
RATING
2/5
RUNTIME
2Hrs 6Mins
What Is the Film About?
Sandhya (Sobhita Dhulipala) is a criminology student frustrated with her television show, which sensationalises crimes for higher viewership. Her friend Bobby urges her to quit the job and start her own podcast. On the personal front, she is all set to marry her long-time boyfriend, Amar. Just as the crime podcast is about to launch, Bobby is brutally murdered. Cheekatilo is the story of how Sandhya steps into an investigative role to catch the serial killer.
Performances
Sobhita Dhulipala returns with confidence, with great attention paid to her styling, but her character lacks the depth to lift the film, even though the entire focus is on her. She looks good in terms of appearance and styling, but role-wise, this turns out to be a forgettable part for both the viewers and her.
Analysis
Cheekatilo, a rare direct-to-digital Telugu film on Amazon Prime Video, could’ve been another straightforward investigative thriller of a cop chasing a psychopath, but director Sharan Koppishetty tweaks its perspective by putting a socially conscious crime podcaster into the mix. While the setup of a podcaster going viral is a modern touch, the writing at times feels too thin to support such a transition, leaning on predictable tropes rather than building genuine suspense.
The heart of the film deals with the resistance around reporting sexual crimes for fear of judgement and the trauma of carrying that wound throughout one’s life. The fact that the protagonist Sandhya herself experienced such an episode in childhood and was silenced by her own mother suggests how families of victims can sometimes be enablers of such crimes when due action isn’t taken.
However, this thematic depth is largely undermined by an unconvincing investigative setup. Sandhya (Sobhita) often behaves more like a seasoned cop in her pursuit of the killer, while the actual police officers are reduced to mere spectators.
This investigative side dominates the narrative, leaving the serial killer’s perspective minimal and the story somewhat unbalanced. The murders themselves fail to carry significant weight or shock value, lacking the unique twists necessary to heighten tension in a crowded genre.
While the film is initially critical of the media’s tendency to monetise crimes, the screenplay fumbles to arrive at its core problem. Frequent dips in momentum occur because the trajectory remains nothing out of the blue, relying on a familiar serial killer template and a quintessential flashback that feels recycled rather than fresh.
The director uses striking visuals to express Sandhya’s agony, perhaps using the title’s darkness as a visual justification to make up for the narrative depth.
The last 30 minutes, including the capture of a false suspect, feel poorly written. The climax twist fails to land effectively because the clues aren’t built with efficiency. At a two-hour runtime, the story feels overstretched for its thin plot.
Cheekatilo uses the crime thriller format to deliver its message, but barely lives up to the genre. The style and substance never quite come together, leaving behind a dull and unsatisfying aftertaste.
Overall, Cheekatilo has a good cast for an OTT original and competent production, but as a thriller, it barely delivers any thrills or intrigue. The director seems to have leaned on the title’s concept, using darkness as a visual justification, but the film fails to generate the real tension and thrill the genre demands.
Performances by Others Actors
Vishwadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Visalakshmi, and Eesha Chawla are cast in roles that serve as mere fillers. Sadly, their characters do not contribute anything even half-decent to the intrigue.
Eesha Chawla as a cop feels like a joke in a serious thriller. Jhansi and Aamani are okay in their brief mother roles. Srinivas Vadlamani fits well.
Music and Other Departments?
Keeping the writing drawbacks aside, Cheekatilo is a technically strong film. Sri Charan Pakala delivers a score that stays true to the atmospheric spirit of the narrative. Mallikarjun, the cinematographer, deals with the sensitive theme responsibly. Despite the competent production, the film fails to generate the real tension the genre demands, ultimately resulting in a middling affair.
Highlights?
Technical values
Production quality
Drawbacks?
Weak writing and unconvincing investigative setup
Predictable tropes and lack of genuine thrills
Under-written supporting characters serving as fillers
Climax reveal lacks originality
Two hours of sluggish storytelling
Did I Enjoy It?
As a genre fan, I wasn’t impressed.
Will You Recommend It?
Not really, thriller fans will be disappointed.
Reviewed by Kalyan, M9 News
