Manjummel Boys movie review: Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi’s chilling survival thriller asserts that hope is a good thing and no good thing ever dies

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Chidambaram’s Manjummel Boys, starring Soubin Shahir and Sreenath Bhasi in the lead roles, is now running in theatres. (Image: Manjummel Boys/Instagram)

“Manithar unarndhukolla ithu manitha kaadhal alla! Athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu… (This is no mortal love for humans to understand! This is beyond that, pure…)” echoes twice in Manjummel Boys’ trailer. An iconic dialogue from Santhana Bharathi’s Kamal Haasan-starrer Gunaa (1991), which is recited by the male lead (Kamal) to convey his unwavering love to his female counterpart (Roshini), the deliberate decision to use this dialogue in Manjummel Boys’ trailer initially appeared intriguing. But upon watching director Chidambaram’s survival thriller, it becomes evident that no other dialogue can fully capture the soul of Manjummel Boys.

Boasting a star-studded cast including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathy, and Jean Paul Lal, among others, Manjummel Boys too is a film about unwavering love; not a romantic one though, but one grounded in camaraderie among a group of friends from a small locality called Manjummel in Ernakulam district of Kerala. At the same time, the film is also about hope, resilience and perseverance, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it even more impactful.

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Set in 2006, a group of 10 happy-go-lucky young men, among whom a few earn a livelihood through odd jobs, embark on a dream trip to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Led by the group’s elder, Kuttan (Soubin Shahir), they explore the lengths and breadths of the hill town with youthful exuberance and absolutely no inhibitions. Towards the end of their trip, Sudheesh (Deepak Parambol) realises they overlooked a major tourist attraction — the Guna caves (Devil’s Kitchen) where Kamal’s Gunaa was shot. Upon reaching, they realise that the real cave is sealed off. “Courageously”, they trespass the gates and begin exploring its depths. In a sudden turn of events, Subash (Sreenath Bhasi) falls into one of the deepest pits in the cave, leaving the others in panic. Despite attempts to seek help, locals and police offer no assistance, as “none of the 13 people who fell into the Devil’s Kitchen previously have returned alive, and their bodies remain unrecovered”. The remainder of the film focuses on the nine men’s determined efforts to save their friend.

One of the initial draws to Manjummel Boys is its restrained approach to depicting the era. Unlike many recent Malayalam films, such as Tovino Thomas’ Anweshippin Kandethum, which often inundate viewers with excessive period details like old film posters, Manjummel Boys uses only what’s necessary to convey the setting. From the red bus, which traversed the Manjummel route until recently, to the characters’ attire, the car they travel in, the absence of mobile phones and the presence of photographers at tourist spots, etc, the film effectively establishes the period without overwhelming audiences.

Watch Manjummel Boys trailer here:

Manjummel Boys captivates viewers with a suspenseful event at the start itself, setting the tone for what follows. As the story progresses, each character is introduced naturally, without unnecessary embellishments or artificial buildup. The first act is dedicated to laying the groundwork, highlighting the rapport among the characters, their surroundings and their anticipation for the upcoming trip. However, these scenes fail to fully engage due to a lack of compelling moments that would leave one wanting more. The plainness becomes somewhat monotonous over time, as it continually circles back to the boys without much happening.

Nevertheless, the film gains momentum once the boys reach Kodaikanal. Here, too, Chidambaram steers away from conventional portrayals and avoids clichéd settings, offering a fresh experience. He maintains focus on the boys and their conversations, ensuring they aren’t just a vehicle for showcasing youthfulness while also keeping the mood upbeat. Once they reach the Guna caves, the mood slowly shifts, and this transition is also natural, not imposed. The film, here, bids farewell to its earlier cheerfulness, slowing down to capture each moment and allowing the eerie ambience to seep in. The boys’ impromptu entry into the cave’s restricted area is handled delicately, effectively conveying both the characters’ emotions and the impending horror. From this juncture, composer Sushin Shyam elevates the film with compelling background tracks, skillfully evoking a spectrum of emotions, complementing cinematographer Shyju Khalid’s spectacular visuals.

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In Manjummel Boys, director Chidambaram steers away from conventional portrayals and avoids clichéd settings, offering a fresh experience. (Image: Think Music India/YT)

The way Subash’s fall into the pit and his friends’ reaction are depicted, along with the appearance of the film’s title around the same time, deserves special commendation for its avoidance of melodrama and its focus on confusion, horror and panic. As the story progresses, the filmmaker ensures that the narrative explores multiple facets rather than dwelling on one aspect. For those who grew up watching Bharathan’s classic survival drama Malootty (1990), the terrifying nature of being trapped in a pit, surrounded by helplessness and hopelessness, is well understood.

In Manjummel Boys, Chidambaram skillfully evokes these emotions in viewers through carefully crafted moments that encapsulate the boys’ emotions, the officials’ demeanour and the locals’ fear. By juxtaposing visuals from the boys’ childhood with current events, Chidambaram adds depth, further enriching the atmosphere. Through a chilling dream sequence where Subash pleads for help looking up at a memory, Manjummel Boys spectacularly emphasises his impuissance while conveying his hope that a light will come from the above, echoing their driver Prasad’s (Khalid Rahman) earlier words defining God, and saving him from the well of death.

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Despite its shortcomings, Chidambaram’s film can indeed be seen as a powerful tribute to the real Manjummel Boys and their determined efforts to save their dear one. (Image: Think Music India/YT)

Amidst all these favourable factors, Manjummel Boys fails to capitalise on moments that could provide a significant high. While the interval block, which holds great significance in thrillers for maintaining audience engagement, passes quickly at a bleak point, Sudheesh’s sudden burst of emotions, upon realising what happened quite some time after the actual event, also misses the mark. While Sushin does his best to amplify the visuals and the masterful world created by production designer Ajayan Chalissery, many moments here lack impact and, unfortunately, end up feeling mundane. Except for a few instances, such as when Kuttan volunteers to enter the cave and the tug-of-war reference towards the end, Manjummel Boys’ attempts to create tension often fall short due to somewhat slapdash writing by Chidambaram.

Nevertheless, the technical team skillfully elevates the film from the depths of Guna cave. Sushin Shyam, Ajayan Chalissery and Shyju Khalid, akin to formidable forces, have dedicated their all to Manjummel Boys, ensuring a spectacular viewing experience. Sushin’s meticulous and well-crafted tracks uplift the film even during moments of lull, while each of Shyju’s frames resembles a painting, fully capturing the ethos of the setting. Ajayan Chalissery’s world-building, both above and below ground, is breathtaking. With scrupulous attention to detail, the production design of Manjummel Boys stands among the finest in Malayalam cinema history. The film’s sound design also deserves recognition.

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Sreenath Bhasi shines as Subash, delivering a stellar performance that captures both the character’s exuberance and vulnerability. (Image: Think Music India/YT)

Despite their characters initially appearing carefree, the actors deliver splendid performances, seamlessly transitioning through a range of emotions that enhance the film’s overall beauty. Even amidst a reduced presence in the second half, Sreenath Bhasi shines as Subash, delivering a stellar performance that captures both the character’s exuberance and vulnerability. He particularly excels in dream sequences and Subash’s moments of trauma. Equally impressive is Soubin’s portrayal of the team leader, skillfully delving into the character’s emotions and bringing out the best in the role. Balu Varghese, Ganapathy, Jean Paul Lal, Khalid Rahman and Chandu Salimkumar also excel in their respective roles.

Despite its shortcomings, Chidambaram’s film can indeed be seen as a powerful tribute to the real Manjummel Boys and their determined efforts to save their dear one.

Manjummel Boys movie cast: Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathy, Jean Paul Lal

Manjummel Boys movie director: Chidambaram

Manjummel Boys movie rating: 3 stars

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