Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Purusha Pretham and Kaathal: The best Malayalam movies of 2023

The Malayalam film scene also witnessed some outstanding, innovative films and actors pushing boundaries and embracing unconventional roles, earning praise from all quarters. However, business-wise, 2023 cannot be labelled as a successful year for the industry.

While The Hindu recently reported that only 20 to 25 of the 217 films released in 2023 (until December 20) managed to attract audiences to theatres, Manorama Online noted that there were just four superhits this year (until December 8) — Romancham, 2018, RDX and Kannur Squad. Despite a couple of other films achieving hit status and a few others safeguarding their producers from significant losses through OTT and satellite rights sales, it’s undeniable that a substantial number of movies experienced significant financial setbacks.

What adds complexity to 2023 is that filmmakers did make efforts to produce fresh, innovative works, but many of these films failed to generate substantial responses from audiences. At the same time, this holds true for several big-budget projects as well, which generated considerable anticipation but ultimately fell short.

At such a juncture, we pick the movies that we consider the best among all those released in theatres or on OTT platforms this year. As challenging as this process may be, especially considering the absence of definitive lists for “best films”, we aim to explore nine works that we believe stand out.

1001 Nunakal focuses on the bitter question of whether it’s acceptable to tell lies in a relationship. (Image: Thamar KV/Facebook)

Thamar KV’s 1001 Nunakal

Aayirathonnu Nunakal (1001 Lies) is the kind of movie you might come across only years after its release, while mindlessly browsing through a streaming platform, upon viewing which you may find yourself exclaiming in disbelief at having overlooked such a hidden gem for so long. Featuring a group of fresh talents who collectively uphold the film’s quality with their outstanding performances, 1001 Nunakal focuses on the bitter question of whether it’s acceptable to tell lies in a relationship, particularly when two people share a romantic connection. Even while delving into the intricacies of deceit and complete honesty, the film avoids taking a firm stance, allowing viewers to develop their own perspectives and interpretations.

For a movie designed and crafted for cinematic grandeur and maximum excitement, RDX truly lives up to its name. (Image: Weekend Blockbusters/Facebook)

Nahas Hidayath’s RDX: Robert Dony Xavier

RDX is the complete package, brimming with all the right ingredients to set theatres ablaze. Crafted with precision, it unfolds seamlessly with well-timed peaks and troughs, proving that traditional formulaic films can still enthral audiences if and when presented in a compelling and innovative manner, steering clear of entirely conventional approaches. For a movie designed and crafted for cinematic grandeur and maximum excitement, RDX truly lives up to its name. The three main actors — Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese Pepe and Neeraj Madhav — also guarantee that the actioner is nothing less than a breathtaking spectacle.

Romancham underscores that fear can be evoked without relying on jump scares or a ghostly figure purely for kicks. (Image: Jithu Madhavan/Facebook)

Jithu Madhavan’s Romancham

With a tightly woven script effortlessly transitioning between horror and comedy, Romancham (Goosebumps) offers an enjoyable experience and consistently lives up to its title through brilliantly set moments. Even while skillfully incorporating humour every minute or two, the movie never sacrifices its commitment to the horror elements, approaching them with greater clarity than many other Indian films. The film also underscores that fear can be evoked without relying on jump scares or a ghostly figure purely for kicks.

Iratta also delves into the impact of childhood trauma on a person, while underscoring that such traumas can never serve as justification for bad behaviour. (Image: Rohit MG/Facebook)

Rohit MG Krishnan’s Iratta

With the exceptional Joju George at the centre, portraying not one but two roles with contrasting personalities and body language yet related by blood and fate, Iratta offers a fresh perspective on the concept of ‘crime and punishment’. The movie also explores how someone’s wrongful actions can profoundly impact many, especially those close to them, reshaping the trajectories of all lives around, even if the former acknowledge their wrongdoing and the deserved punishment. With a compelling script that captivates viewers, encouraging them to form their own assumptions about the suspense, the film also delves into the impact of childhood trauma on a person, while underscoring that such traumas can never serve as justification for bad behaviour.

Purusha Pretham stands out as one of the best docufictions Malayalam cinema has ever produced, despite not strictly adhering to conventional genre definitions. (Image: Krishand/Facebook)

Krishand’s Purusha Pretham

A procedural drama with an ideal infusion of black comedy, Purusha Pretham stands out as one of the best docufictions Malayalam cinema has ever produced, despite not strictly adhering to conventional genre definitions, particularly since the characters are portrayed by professional actors. Revolving around the overwhelming number of unidentified corpses spotted by the police, the movie also portrays how people with vested interests attempt to claim these bodies for personal gain. While the film transitions from a procedural cop drama to an investigative thriller, a horror story and a dark comedy at times, it adeptly avoids making these shifts feel forced. Purusha Pretham also explores a wide range of subjects and occasionally blends genres seamlessly.

Adrishya Jalakangal is an anti-war movie. (Image: Dr Biju/Facebook)

Dr Biju’s Adrishya Jalakangal

In a world that shamelessly celebrates war, often oblivious to the hardships faced by millions of civilians who ultimately bear the brunt of such violent acts, Adrishya Jalakangal distinguishes itself through its exceptional treatment of the subject matter, presented in a minimalist yet impactful manner. Centred around a group of people devoid of “identities”, the film, characterised by sharp dialogues and a highly perceptive visual language, explores how the news of an imminent war disrupts the lives of ordinary people, particularly those from oppressed communities, plunging them into a constant state of fear. Elevated by outstanding performances from Tovino Thomas and Nimisha Sajayan, this Dr Biju film also incorporates elements of magical realism, significantly enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

Kaathal – The Core focuses on homosexuality and the challenges of leading a closeted life.

Jeo Baby’s Kaathal – The Core

A landmark film that brilliantly underscores how relevant themes can be seamlessly woven into movies when the makers approach them with sincerity, rather than exploiting them for mere visibility, Kaathal – The Core focuses on homosexuality and the challenges of leading a closeted life, delving beyond the typical tropes often employed in such narratives. In line with a significant quote by Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher) in the American police procedural comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, “Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place,” Kaathal echoes a similar sentiment in a nuanced and grounded manner. Featuring exceptional characters and a strong voice, the film showcases that addressing important issues doesn’t necessitate compromising overall quality; the two aspects can coexist harmoniously.

B 32 Muthal 44 Vare also pays homage to the camaraderie women share amidst all the chaos. (Image: Shruthi Sharanyam/Facebook)

Shruthi Sharanyam’s B 32 Muthal 44 Vare

One of the most powerful movies of recent times, B 32 Muthal 44 Vare delves into the challenges women face in a patriarchal society marked by constant hypersexualisation, objectification, exploitation and the reduction of their identities to their bust sizes. At the same time, the movie also beautifully pays homage to the camaraderie women share amidst all the chaos. With sharp-edged scenes and dialogues, the film analyses the lives of five women and a trans man within a male-run ‘ freak show’ (aka life) that strictly upholds regressive principles, including cisnormativity and heteronormativity. Despite navigating a complex narrative and addressing diverse themes within a concise runtime of 108 minutes, Shruthi Sharanyam never compromises on the cinematic finesse of the work, elevating B 32 Muthal 44 Vare as a significant movie.

Mammootty’s captivating performance further elevates Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, making it a modern-day classic. (Image: Mammootty Kampany/Facebook)

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam

Six months after selecting five standout Malayalam films released in the first half of 2023, we have yet to encounter a film surpassing the excellence of Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam. This is not because other movies lack quality; rather, it is a testament to the brilliance of this LJP film. Serving as a defining moment for Malayalam cinema in recent times, Nanpakal not only depicts a compelling narrative but also showcases a filmmaker’s meticulous attention to detail, ensuring every aspect is in harmony with the story and maintains top-notch quality. Mammootty’s captivating performance and the commendable contributions of every person on screen further elevate Nanpakal, making it a modern-day classic.