CULT Movie Review
Movie: Cult
Release Date: 30 October 2026
Banner: Tarak Cinemas
CBFC Rating: A
Run-time: 2h 32m
Cast: Vishwak Sen, Gayatri Bharadwaj, Tarak Ponnapa, Murali Sharma, Srikanth Iyenger, Karthikeya, Anirudh Bhaskar, EZY, Yagnya Turlapati, Kabeer Bhartiya, Vishak Nair, Chepuri Vivek
Music Director: Ravi Basrur
Dialogues: Tharun Bhascker
Director of Photography: Aravind Viswanathan
Editor: Ravi Teja Girijala
Producer: Sandeep Kakarala
Story, Screenplay & Direction: Vishwaksen
Mass Ka Das Vishwak Sen is back, and this time he is bolder than ever with his self directed venture #CULT. Known for picking different genres and mass entertainers, Vishwak Sen has taken up the challenge of directing and headlining what is being promoted as India’s first true slasher film and Telugu cinema’s most violent action thriller. The pre release buzz is huge with its adult certification, masked killer theme, and racy promotions. The film hit the screens on October 30 worldwide.
Plot
The story of CULT revolves around the shocking and bloody incidents that unfold inside a high profile birthday party. Home Minister (Murali Sharma) is aspiring to become the next CM, and his arrogant son Elvin (Tarak Ponnappa) hosts a lavish birthday bash. What starts as a wild party with youngsters turns into a nightmare when a masked killer begins hunting them down one by one.
What are those shocking incidents? How does this party turn into a survival game? What is the connection between the trapped girl Maya (Gayatri Bhardwaj) and Police Commissioner Vijay Mishra (Srikanth Iyengar)? And how does the powerful entry of DSP Sankalp Nayak (Vishwak Sen) change the entire game and unravel the mystery behind the killings? This forms the crux of CULT.
Performances
Vishwak Sen once again proves why he is called Mass Ka Das. As DSP Sankalp Nayak, he makes a terrific impact with his swag, attitude, and powerful screen presence. He shows realistic cop attitude in his body language. He performs the brutal, high octane stunts with full energy and ease, showing complete command both as an actor and as a director.
Tarak Ponnappa is very good as the politician’s arrogant son Elvin, perfectly portraying entitlement and cruelty. Murali Sharma is solid and convincing as the ambitious Home Minister, while Srikanth Iyengar makes his presence felt with a dignified performance as the Police Commissioner. Gayatri Bhardwaj looks good and performs well within the scope of her role as Maya, bringing the much needed emotional and survival angle to the party track. The supporting cast of youngsters also adds authenticity to the slasher setup.
Highlights
Vishwak Brilliance
Brutal Action
Ravi Basrur BGM
Interval High
Drawbacks
Regular Flashback
Familiar Tropes
Analysis
The first half of CULT is all about building fear and atmosphere. Vishwak Sen takes his time to establish the world of the rich, spoiled party and the masked killer’s entry. Though the initial portions have familiar slasher tropes, the tension slowly builds and the film picks up pace brilliantly with the thrilling games inside the party and Vishwak Sen’s much awaited entry. The interval bang is explosive and perfectly sets the stage for a racy second half. The second half is where the film truly shines as a survival thriller. The mystery unravels quickly, the violence escalates, and the action sequences become more brutal and engaging. Even though the flashback has a familiar touch, it serves the purpose of establishing the motive and the film ends on an intriguing lead to a sequel.
On the technical front, CULT is top notch. Ravi Basrur’s background score is the soul of the film. His terrific, pulsating BGM amplifies the horror and action to another level and is one of the biggest strengths. Aravind Viswanathan’s cinematography is stylish and slick, capturing the bloody party visuals with great finesse. Ravi Teja Girijala’s editing keeps the second half racy and engaging. Production values are rich and support the grand scale of this violent thriller. On the whole, CULT is a gutsy, distinctive, and engaging attempt that delivers a unique theatrical experience for fans of intense action.
Rating: 3.5/5
Bottom-line: Vishwak Sen’s Bold And Brutal Intense Slasher Ride
