‘Dies Irae’ Movie Review
Film: Dies Irae
Release Date: 07 Nov 2025
CBFC Rating: A
Run-time: 1h 55m
Production companies: Night Shift Studios,YNOT Studios
Cast: Pranav Mohanlal, Gibin Gopinath, Arun Ajikumar Jaya Kurup
DOP – Shehnad Jalal ISC
Production Designer – Jothish Shankar
Music – Christo Xavier
Editor – Shafique Mohamed Ali
Produced by Chakravarthy Ramachandra & S. Sashikanth
Written & Directed by Rahul Sadasivan
Dies Irae arrives in Telugu just a week after its Malayalam debut, marking director Rahul Sadasivan’s (Bhootakalam, Bhramayugam) latest foray into the supernatural genre. Pranav Mohanlal, son of the legendary Mohanlal, steps into the lead role, adding a subtle star power that fuels both curiosity and critical scrutiny. The Telugu version benefits from a neat dubbing job and an aggressive marketing push from Sravanthi Movies
Plot
Rohan Shankar (Pranav Mohanlal), a wealthy architect, enjoys a carefree life until his girlfriend Kani (Sushmitha Bhat) inexplicably dies by suicide. After a visit to her family home, Rohan begins to notice eerie disturbances in his apartment, objects shift, shadows flicker, and an unseen presence seems to linger. As Rohan’s sanity unravels, the story spirals into a tense cat and mouse game, culminating in a twist that hints at a sequel. Supporting characters, Kani’s brother Kiran (Arun Ajitkumar), her mother (Sreedhanya), and a quirky friend Madhusudhan (Gibin Gopinath) add layers of mystery and emotional weight.
Performances:
Pranav Mohanlal delivers a restrained, emotionally resonant performance. He adopts a minimalist approach, speaking little, emoting much, allowing the audience to feel Rohan’s dread and grief. Sushmitha Bhat, though limited by a role confined to flashbacks and stills, projects a lingering presence that fuels the haunting atmosphere. Gibin Gopinath balances horror and dark comedy, providing both levity and tension. Jaya Kurup shines as a surprise package, delivering a nuanced portrayal that adds depth to the supporting cast. The ensemble’s collective effort ensures the psychological stakes remain high throughout.
Highlights:
Pranav Mohanlal
Arresting Narration
Direction
Atmospheric Mastery
Stellar Cinematography
Drawbacks:
Slow Pacing
Ambiguous Narrative
Analysis
Rahul Sadasivan crafts a deliberate slow burn narrative, avoiding cliché jump‑scares in favor of mood building. The first half establishes an unsettling ambience, while the second half escalates into a gripping crescendo, escalated by the interval twist and a climactic finale that leaves viewers unsettled. The film bets on atmospheric dread rather than conventional jump scares, positioning itself as a psychologically driven horror piece.
Christo Xavier’s background score reverberates with low frequency hums, amplifying anxiety. Shenad Jalal’s cinematography captures the apartment’s claustrophobic gloom and the stark beauty of Kerala’s backwaters, enhancing the film’s visual dread. Sound design, mixing, and VFX are top notch, especially the prosthetics, which lend a tangible quality to the supernatural elements. However, the film’s pacing may test viewers accustomed to rapid fire horror. By refusing to spoon feed explanations, the narrative leaves several threads Kani’s suicide motive, Madhu’s odd reactions, and the ambiguous antagonist open to interpretation, which can feel incomplete.
In summary, Dies Irae stands as a commendable attempt at sophisticated horror, bolstered by strong performances and technical excellence. It rewards patient viewers with a lingering sense of dread and a thought‑provoking twist, though its deliberate pace and unresolved plot points may limit its broader appeal.
Rating: 3.25/5
Bottom-line: Chilling Atmospheric Horror Experience
