Verdict: A modest Malayalam horror-mystery that leans on village folklore and light comedy. Early audience feedback is mixed, with some enjoying the local flavour while others find the scares and pacing uneven.
Pros:
Interesting use of traditional Yakshi folklore
Decent lead performance and supporting comedy touches
Atmospheric village setting
Cons:
Predictable story turns and uneven thrills
Runtime feels stretched in places
About Amanushikam 2026
Detail
Information
Title
Amanushikam
Directed by
Nitheesh K. Nair
Written by
Sudeesh Perumbilly
Produced by
Namo Pictures (Satheesh Pappanamcode, Santhi Nidhish, Shanthi Booshan)
Amanushikam hits theatres today as a Malayalam supernatural horror-mystery with comedy undertones. Directed by Nitheesh K. Nair, it stars Joemon Joshy in the lead, an actor known from earlier supporting and child roles who now takes centre stage. The film draws from Kerala village folklore involving a Yakshi spirit and the chaos that follows when an old protective nail is removed.
Early interest on BookMyShow showed a few thousand people marking it, typical for a mid-scale regional release. Discussions on X, Instagram and Facebook so far remain limited as shows have just begun, with viewers sharing first impressions rather than detailed verdicts.
The story follows Vinu, an atheist who gets wrongly blamed after the nail that held the spirit of Cheeru in Yakshikkavu is taken out. He tries to clear his name by looking into the events, only to face a frightening encounter that shakes his beliefs. Supporting characters, including one who steps in with a confession involving possession, add further twists while the spirit remains a quiet presence in the background.
The film mixes mystery investigation with horror and some lighter comic moments rooted in the village setting. Early reactions circulating on X and other platforms praise the local folklore backdrop and the attempt to blend scares with everyday humour. Joemon Joshy’s performance as the sceptical lead has drawn some positive comments for feeling natural, while veteran supporting actors like Kulappulli Leela and Saju Navodaya are noted for bringing familiar comic energy.
A few viewers liked the atmospheric village visuals and the basic mystery setup. Common complaints point to predictable plot points, uneven scares that do not fully land, and a runtime that stretches certain sequences. Overall sentiment so far feels mixed some call it a decent one-time watch for fans of regional horror comedy, while others say it lacks fresh thrills or tighter writing.
Those who enjoy Malayalam films built around folklore, light supernatural mystery and small-town comedy may find enough to stay engaged. The strengths lie in its rooted setting and straightforward storytelling. Weaknesses include familiar tropes and moments that could have been sharper. For theatre, it works best if you like this specific mix and want a weekend outing. Many may prefer waiting for streaming once wider opinions settle.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
Kadir is a box office reporter and film analyst from Hojai, Assam, and the founder of Tenvow.com. Since 2015, he has been into box office reporting. With a focus on box office collections, OTT trends, and movie analysis, Kadir delivers accurate, data driven insights into the business of films.
