Jeethu Joseph’s Drishyam franchise has always relied on one compelling factor: an ordinary farmer with extraordinary intelligence, sharp enough to outwit the investigative skills of the Kerala Police.
That farmer is Georgekutty, played by Mohanlal, and he is a man willing to go to any extent to protect his family, even if it means eliminating an “uninvited guest” who also happens to be the son of a powerful cop and burying the evidence.
In Drishyam 3, Mohanlal reprises the role of Georgekutty, but the elements required to make this a worthy third instalment barely come together. Much of the blame lies with a mediocre script seemingly written solely to turn the film into a thriller.
The film opens with monochrome footage recapping the previous two instalments, reminding us of where the story currently stands. Much like the earlier films, Georgekutty and his family are slowly easing back into normal life after years of turmoil. But, as expected, danger creeps in once again. Georgekutty is forced to confront it, act swiftly, and protect his family.
In the present timeline, Georgekutty is a successful movie producer. Drawing from the turbulent events of his personal life, he produces a film that becomes a box-office success. Yet beneath the appearance of normalcy, there are visible cracks within the family. Georgekutty is battling his inner demons while trying to maintain a calm exterior for his loved ones. His role as provider and protector becomes even more demanding as he now has to oversee his elder daughter’s marriage.
A significant portion of the film revolves around this marriage subplot. Characters enter and exit frequently, creating the impression that the narrative is running in circles without much else to explore. The first half moves at a glacial pace while setting up the story. Several characters are introduced, but none manage to generate much excitement. The second half shifts more decisively into thriller territory, complete with character revelations and an elaborate conspiracy.
However, very little of it feels convincing or does justice to the franchise’s legacy. The developments feel hurried, forced, and at times overly clever for their own good. In typical Drishyam fashion, one character even explains the entire scheme in detail, effectively spoon-feeding the audience. Yet neither the twists nor the turns are gripping enough to create genuine intrigue.
Mohanlal does his best to salvage the film. His performance as Georgekutty feels effortless and natural, especially during quieter, everyday interactions. Even in emotionally heavy scenes, where he seemed to struggle in some of his recent outings such as L2: Empuraan and Patriot, Mohanlal delivers with conviction. Meena is also effective as the conservative Christian homemaker. Her scenes with Mohanlal occasionally recreate the warmth and chemistry of the first Drishyam film, although Jeethu Joseph tends to overuse these moments, making some conversations feel repetitive and forced after a point. Esther Anil has a solid outing, as does Ansiba Hassan. Murali Gopy reprises his role as a senior cop and gives a solid performance. Meanwhile, the film’s central antagonist is poorly written, reduced to clichéd expressions and menacing stares. The background score is another weak point. At times it becomes deafening or excessively melodramatic, evoking the feel of a television soap opera. The cinematography, too, lacks inventiveness. Most shots are functional and straightforward, with very little visual flair.
Drishyam 3 is easily the weakest film in the franchise. With such a mediocre thriller script, this would have been an average outing for Jeethu Joseph under any circumstance. What makes it somewhat watchable is Mohanlal’s performance, which once again proves that his grounded, everyday Malayali characters remain far more compelling than his larger-than-life personas.
Jeethu Joseph also teases another possible instalment – a trend increasingly common in Malayalam cinema these days. But judging purely from the trajectory of this film, that may not be the wisest decision. Perhaps it is finally time to let Georgekutty and his family live in peace.
