Mirage Malayalam Movie Review: The name Mirage evokes illusions, shifting realities, something seen but not quite grasped — and that seems to be exactly what director Jeethu Joseph has intended with his latest film. Released in theatres on 19 September 2025, Mirage enters Malayalam cinema with high expectations, carrying the promise of suspense, complex mysteries, and the twisty storytelling that fans have come to associate with Jeethu after Drishyam and Memories.
What Is Mirage About? Plot & Premise
Mirage is a crime thriller, rooted in mystery, betrayal, and the quest for truth. The story begins with a shocking incident — Kiran, the fiancé of Abhirami, disappears in what seems to be a train accident. The twist: Kiran is said to have boarded the train without telling Abhirami where he was going, something uncharacteristic of him. Suddenly, this disappearance becomes more than just a tragic accident.
What makes things murkier is a hard disk — said to contain incriminating, sensitive data connected to Kiran’s workplace, a financial firm. Abhirami insists she has no idea where it is or if it even exists. But now, multiple parties are interested: there’s Ashwin, an online investigative journalist who wants the scoop; the firm’s owner, Rajkumar, who seems desperate to retrieve or suppress whatever information is on the disk; a cop; and a gangster. Abhirami, aided by her friend Rithika, is pulled into this dangerous game of trust and deception.
As the film progresses, more layers are added — identity theft, financial fraud, betrayal, and mystery after mystery. Jeethu Joseph drops twist after twist, sometimes before the interval, more in the second half, in order to heighten tension and unsettle your assumptions.
Cast, Crew & Technicals:
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Director: Jeethu Joseph (with screenplay co-written by Srinivasan Abrol; story by Aparna R. Tarakad)
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Lead actors: Asif Ali plays Aswin, the journalist; Aparna Balamurali plays Abhirami. Supporting cast includes Hannah Reji Koshy, Hakim Shahjahan, Sampath Raj, Deepak Parambol, and Arjun Syam Gopan, among others.
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Crew highlights: Cinematography by Satheesh Kurup, editing by Vinayakh, music by Vishnu Shyam. Production by Naad Studios, E4 Experiments, Seven1Seven Productions, and Bedtime Stories.
What Works:
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Strong Performances: Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali are often singled out in reviews as doing fine work. Abhirami’s emotional turmoil, Aswin’s investigative drive — there’s sincerity in their portrayals that helps hold the film together during slower passages.
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Atmosphere & Suspense: Jeethu Joseph is skilled at generating tension, and Mirage does build a sense of dread, especially as new pieces of the mystery emerge. The visuals and mood-setting scenes are decent.
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Ambitious Plotting: The film attempts to combine multiple threads — crime, finance scandal, identity deception, and missing persons — all in one package. For viewers who enjoy puzzles and unexpected turns, that ambition is a plus.
What Doesn’t:
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Overuse of Twists: Many critics point out that the twists often feel contrived or used just for shock value rather than arising organically from the story. Some of the reveals come without adequate foreshadowing or emotional weight, which dilutes their impact.
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Slow First Half & Pacing Problems: The film is said to start slowly, with character setup and exposition dragging in parts. For a thriller, especially one with a runtime of ~150-152 minutes, the early pacing can test patience.
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Dialogues & Writing Shortcomings: Some reviews mention that the writing is heavy on exposition and sometimes feels unnatural. Characters are occasionally stuck in dialogue-driven scenes that explain more than they should, rather than showing or letting the story unfold more subtly.
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Emotional Engagement: Because of the many twisty turns and unreliable clues, the emotional core (especially Abhirami’s grief, betrayal, etc.) doesn’t always hit as hard as it might. The audience is kept guessing, which is good, but that can also distance you from the characters.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?
If you are a fan of Jeethu Joseph or enjoy mystery thrillers that try to keep you on your toes, Mirage is worth a watch — especially in theatres. There are moments where the film delivers — a twist that makes you sit up, or a scene that cuts through the noise with emotion. The leads are good, the atmosphere is solid, and some of the subplots are intriguing.
However, if you prefer tight, succinct narratives with minimal filler, or want the kind of every-twist-counts payoff (like in Drishyam), this might leave you wanting. The film often feels like it’s trying too hard: overstuffed with misdirection, sometimes at the cost of clarity or emotional resonance.
In short, Mirage is a watchable suspense drama, with enough mystery to keep you interested, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights its pedigree might promise. A one-time watch, perhaps, but not one that you’ll want to revisit many times.
Final Thoughts:
Mirage shows Jeethu Joseph taking risks — interweaving financial crime, missing persons, betrayal, and identity puzzles. It isn’t perfect. The twists sometimes stretch credibility, the pacing is uneven, and some characters are underused. But there is enough in it — tension, atmosphere, strong leads — to make it a decent entry in the Malayalam mystery/thriller genre.
If you go into the film ready to suspend disbelief, willing to accept a few strained plot devices, you may enjoy the ride. If not, you might find it overlong or messy. Either way, Mirage contributes to the ongoing evolution of Malayalam thrillers, reminding us that suspense still sells — as long as it is executed with care.
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