Mohanlal & Priyadarshan’s Convincing But Preachy Thriller

RATING – ⭐⭐✨ 2.5/5*

Oppam Review movie Talkies:

Mohanlal and Priyadarshan have delivered some of the finest Malayalam classics in the 1980s and 1990s, with a few of them still regarded as all-time greats. However, living up to such a legendary legacy is never easy, and not every outing has reached those towering heights. Oppam, their reunion thriller, shows flashes of brilliance but also suffers from weaknesses that keep it from being truly memorable.

Oppam Story:

At first glance, Oppam seems to carry shades of Cape Fear (1962). Yet, beyond the surface similarity of a convict stalking the protagonist, the comparisons end quickly. Adapted from John D. MacDonald’s novel The Executioners, Cape Fear stood out for its relentless tension and powerhouse performances from Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck. In contrast, Oppam reimagines the chase with a unique twist — the protagonist is a blind man — a concept that feels inspired by the Korean film Blind (2012). As such, it cannot be called an outright remake, nor is it wholly original. That said, originality is not the real issue; storytelling is.

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The Malayalam thriller does have a convincing premise: a blind man hunted by a psychopath while protecting a little girl. Unfortunately, the execution falters. The narrative often slips into preachiness, and the overall treatment feels dated. 

Priyadarshan, despite his mastery in comedy and drama, has rarely been at his strongest in thrillers, and Oppam reinforces that notion. The film borrows familiar templates from Drishyam—with the hero harassed by the police—before inserting a forced mass-appeal action sequence. The climax too, designed like a meticulous full-proof plan, fizzles out with underwhelming results.

Priyadarshan’s use of a phone ring as a weapon, for instance, feels unintentionally silly rather than ingenious. Thrillers rely on clever plotting and organic tension, not coincidences or contrived resolutions. When compared to classics like Audrey Hepburn’s Wait Until Dark (1967), which built sustained terror with similar ideas half a century earlier, Oppam pales in both intensity and execution.

Oppam Cast:

On the performance front, Mohanlal is reliable, yet not at the extraordinary level audiences have come to expect from him. He lends gravitas to the role, but the spark of his very best work is missing. Samuthirakani fares better, delivering a menacing antagonist, while Nedumudi Venu is serviceable in a small part. Among the girls, Meenakshi is charming in her sweet role, and Anusree offers commendable support.

Oppam movie Review:

Technically, the film is competent but hardly striking. The action choreography is adequate, though never breathtaking. Cinematography and editing leave room for improvement, and while the sound design shows promise, it feels underutilized. Collectively, these elements add up to a film that has moments of promise but rarely sustains them.

In the end, Oppam is a thriller that wants to be sharp but settles somewhere in the middle. It has its highs and lows—some engaging moments, some frustrating missteps—and while it may satisfy fans looking for a decent one-time watch, it does not come close to the timeless thrillers it draws inspiration from.

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