rorschach movie review lensman

Cast & crew
User reviews

The Movie is about Luke Anthony who has a mysterious past and is out on a mission to seek revenge from someone who has destroyed him deeply The Movie is about Luke Anthony who has a mysterious past and is out on a mission to seek revenge from someone who has destroyed him deeply The Movie is about Luke Anthony who has a mysterious past and is out on a mission to seek revenge from someone who has destroyed him deeply

Nissam Basheer
Sameer Abdul
Grace Antony
60 User reviews
7 Critic reviews
1 nomination

Luke Antony

Head Cost. Ashraf

Seetha Balan

Dileep Balan

Sophia Luke

Sujatha's Mother

Sujatha's Father

Satheeshan's Mother
Rasheed - Robber's Father

Sainaba - Robber's Mother

Insp. George

SI P. Pisharody
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

Trivia Lead cast Luke (Mammootty) reel surname and his reel wife Sujatha (Grace) real surname are same: Antony.
Alternate versions The UK release was cut, the distributor chose to make cuts to scenes of strong violence, injury detail and threat in order to obtain a 12A classification. An uncut 15 classification was available.
Soundtracks In My Arms Written by Sameer Abdul Produced by Midhun Mukundan Performed by Sameer Abdul

User reviews 60

Mangalassery_Neelakandan
Oct 9, 2022
How long is Rorschach? Powered by Alexa
October 7, 2022 (India)
Official Facebook
Mammootty Kampany
Wayfarer Films
See more company credits at IMDbPro
₹120,000,000 (estimated)

Technical specs

Runtime 2 hours 30 minutes
Dolby Atmos

More to explore

[Review] ‘Rorschach’ is a Subtle and Engaging Thriller

While Found-Footage is certainly a sub-genre worthy of respect, with quite a few memorable entries over the past few decades, it’s also true that giving any random filmmaker the power to produce his own (usually horror) movie with minimum production requirements is a bit risky. However, this formula has graced us with new gems like Paranormal Activity in the past, and now continues to provide us with unexpected scares through films like C.A. Smith’s Rorschach .

Starring Ricky Lee Barnes and Ross Compton as “Ricky” and “Ross”, a duo of skeptic paranormal investigators, Rorschach chronicles the team’s efforts as they deal with strange occurrences in a seemingly normal suburban home. Contacted by Jamy (Jamy Gillespie), a single mother worried that the paranormal activity in her household may soon harm her daughter Ashlynn, Ricky and Ross begin to document their experiences with the family.

The film is presented to us as the edited collection of all the footage recorded by the investigators, which is both a blessing and a curse. In a way, this allows for clever presentation of the strange events surrounding the house, while still maintaining a high level of credibility (which is one of the strongest aspects of the film). On the other hand, knowing from the start that Ricky and Ross survive to edit and present their footage as a feature film somewhat hinders the hard-earned suspense that permeates the rest of the movie.

Despite this, Rorschach is an incredibly engaging picture that utilizes this extremely believable and realistic premise to its fullest extent. At times, it seems as though the amateurish, documentary-style filmmaking would feel right at home as an episode of one of the many ghost-hunting shows that plague cable television. This even extends to the subtle nature of most of the movie’s scares, which reward viewer patience and attention to detail, while not resorting to traditional jump scares that might ruin Smith’s carefully constructed realism.

Rorschach certainly isn’t for everyone, however, as the film’s deliberate pacing places it closer to movies like Ti West’s The Innkeepers , rather than similar found footage films like Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity franchise. This results in a divisive experience that some moviegoers may find boring instead of immersive. I personally didn’t mind the slower nature of the experience, as piecing together the film’s implied backstory through the many clues and red herrings scattered across the picture was entertaining enough for me.

Ultimately, Rorschach is a remarkable example of low-budget horror done right, as it plays with viewer expectations and presents us with a realistic yet frightening view of the paranormal. The ending might feel slightly unsatisfying to some, as there are no real conclusions, only hints of a larger story going on in the background, but it makes sense within the film’s premise. While I would have liked to see more of the supernatural throughout the story, Rorschach is still one hell of a fun ride if you have the patience to reach the end.

Rorschach will be available for free on Youtube for a limited time, so you can check it out below!

Born Brazilian, raised Canadian, Luiz is a writer and Film student that spends most of his time watching movies and subsequently complaining about them.

‘Keeper’ – Tatiana Maslany Starring in Next Horror Movie from ‘Longlegs’ Director

While we wait for the serial killer thriller Longlegs , director Osgood Perkins ( The Blackcoat’s Daughter, Gretel & Hansel ) has already set up his NEXT movie. It’s titled Keeper .

Deadline reports tonight that Tatiana Maslany ( Orphan Black ) and Rossif Sutherland ( Possessor ) will star in Keeper , and NEON has acquired the rights to the project.

Deadline notes, “Neon will distribute in the U.S. and handle international sales rights to the film in Cannes, with Elevation Pictures set to distribute in Canada.”

“ Keeper follows a couple as they escape for a romantic anniversary weekend at a secluded cabin. When Malcolm (Sutherland) suddenly returns to the city, Liz (Maslany) finds herself isolated and in the presence of an unspeakable evil that unveils the cabin’s horrifying secrets.”

Perkins will direct from a screenplay written by Nick Lepard .

First up, NEON will release Longlegs in theaters on July 12.

Original Classic ‘The Crow’ Returning to Theaters for 30th Anniversary

Two New Images from ‘Alien: Romulus’ Spotlight the Heroes and the Giger-Faithful Monster

Party City Releasing Life-Size ‘Terrifier 2’ Art the Clown & Little Pale Girl Animatronics!

“Crystal Lake” – A24 Has NOT Pulled the Plug on Their ‘Friday the 13th’ TV Series [Exclusive]

‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This’ Review – Found Footage Movie Won ‘Best Feature’ at Salem Horror Fest

Program Guide
Sports News
Top 10 Lists
Streaming Services
Newsletters
OTTplay Awards
OTT Replay 2023
Changemakers

Home » Review » Rorschach movie review: Mammootty’s slick psychological revenge thriller makes for an engaging experience »

Rorschach movie review: Mammootty’s slick psychological revenge thriller makes for an engaging experience

The makers of Mammootty's Rorschach seemed to have made no compromise when it comes to the production values of the film and that helps even when the plot strays a bit, like the mind of its protagonist

Sanjith Sidhardhan

Last Updated: 08.59 AM, Oct 09, 2022

Story: UK citizen Luke Antony drags himself to the police station in a village and claims that his pregnant wife has been missing after his car met with an accident. What follows is a few weeks of futile search with him being the only person who believes that she is still alive. Luke decides to stay on and his path crosses with another family, whose members might have a connection with his past and his current ordeal, a cop, who is out to seek the truth behind Luke’s presence, and a youngster, who doesn’t believe a word Luke says.

Review: A scene in director Nisam Basheer’s sophomore venture has the protagonist Luke Antony (Mammootty) listening to the plight of a woman, who has to take care of her ailing husband. She complains that her husband had never given her peace after their marriage and continues to push her to the edge. Luke asks her about considering divorce, to which she replies that that was never an option for financially-backward women, who are considered a burden by the families. Luke then suggests why not let him get married to her daughter. In a split second, she entertains this and approaches her daughter, a widow, with the request of a stranger who she has met for the first time. This is probably one of the many dramatic sequences where the writing shines in a movie, which sets the bar high in terms of its storytelling, visuals, sound and performances – all making for a riveting and novel theatrical experience in recent times.

Mammootty in Rorschach | Pic credit: Sreenath N Unnikrishnan

Nisam keeps a tight grip on the proceedings of the film, which begins with a mystery and then slowly reveals its cards. Sure, by the end of the first half, audiences can figure out the why and who in Luke’s past, but it’s about how he goes about his revenge and core purpose that makes it entertaining. The reasons for each action here are about the mind – be it the manipulation within a family, the quest for something more or just lack of control over thoughts. The greatest challenge for the writer, Samir Abdul, and the filmmaker here was to showcase this on screen and also make the audience connect the subtle dots, and Rorschach succeeds this past without a blot or blemish.

Huge credit to this goes to the casting department as well as some superlative performances. Mammootty, as Luke Antony, brings the intensity as well as keeps the mystery behind his purpose alive. It’s a character that needed to be consistent and the star once again shows why he is a master at playing conflicted protagonists.

Also read: Exclusive! Mammootty’s Rorschach demands the audience’s undivided attention to be engaging: Nisam Basheer

While a riveting performance is expected from Mammootty every time, the surprise packages in Rorschach are Bindu Panicker, Jagadeesh and Kottayam Nazir. All three veteran actors put on an acting workshop on restrained performances while showing the two ends of the emotional spectrum. Bindu Panicker, in particular, has some great moments. Actors Sharafudheen, Grace Antony and Sanju Sivram do their parts well in taking the story forward. In fact, all the characters in Rorschach are grey – and within that some of them serve as moral compasses.

Considering that Luke, a stranger with a haunted past, is often grappling with his mind and most of his scenes are set inside a house that is half-constructed and half in ruins, the movie is a visual experience. It takes the audience for a ride right from the first scene. Nimish Ravi’s frames are cool and grey, mirroring its deceptive characters and the village. Midhun Mukundan’s English tracks and thrilling background score also adds a different layer to the movie, which stands out due to its tone and compelling storytelling. The makers of the movie seemed to have made no compromise when it comes to the production values of the film and that helps even when the plot strays a bit, like the mind of its protagonist.

Verdict: This year seems to be the megastar’s as he looks set to continue his winning run and that too by being part of new-age thrillers that bank on setting a high benchmark. Rorschach is slick and smart, and is technically superlative. It’s a must watch in theatres just for the unique experience and great performances from each member of the cast.

WHERE TO WATCH

New OTT Releases
Web Stories
Streaming services
Latest News
Movies Releases
Cookie Policy
Shows Releases
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Subscriber Agreement

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Upcoming Movies and TV shows
Trivia & Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

Movies / TV

No results found.

What's the Tomatometer®?
Login/signup

Movies in theaters

Opening this week
Top box office
Coming soon to theaters
Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

Fandango at Home
Netflix streaming
Prime Video
Most popular streaming movies
What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Link to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
The Fall Guy Link to The Fall Guy
I Saw the TV Glow Link to I Saw the TV Glow

New TV Tonight

Doctor Who: Season 1
Dark Matter: Season 1
Black Twitter: A People's History: Season 1
Bodkin: Season 1
Pretty Little Liars: Summer School: Season 2
The Chi: Season 6
Reginald the Vampire: Season 2
Blood of Zeus: Season 2
Hollywood Con Queen: Season 1
Love Undercover: Season 1

Rorschach Reviews

No All Critics reviews for Rorschach.

Firstpost Defence Summit
Entertainment
Web Stories
Health Supplement
First Sports
Fast and Factual
Between The Lines
Firstpost America

Rorschach movie review: Revenge redefined with Mammootty v Grace Antony v Bindhu Panicker leading the charge

How do you punish a dead person who ruined your happiness? Rorschach challenges our notion of life itself with a tale of an unprecedented, seething desire for payback.

Language: Malayalam

Cast: Mammootty, Grace Antony, Bindhu Panicker, Jagadish, Sanju Sivram, Kottayam Nazeer, Sharafudheen, Ira Noor, Cameo: Asif Ali

Director: Nisam Basheer

Star rating: 3.5/5

There’s something not quite right about Luke Antony ( Mammootty ). In the opening chapter of Rorschach , when this wealthy NRI walks into a rural police station to report his wife Sofiya’s disappearance, the situation smells dubious. Not surprisingly, Luke’s claim that they were in a car accident and she was gone by the time he regained consciousness, does not sit well with at least one perceptive observer, the policeman Ashraf (Jagadish).

When Luke refuses to leave the place till Sofiya is found, speculation about his intentions runs rife among the villagers. His indefatigable quest for his missing spouse turns out to be nothing that anyone could have predicted – not Ashraf, not the local factory owner Sujatha ( Grace Antony ), nor her mother-in-law Seetha (Bindhu Panicker). Rorschach – written by Sameer Abdul and directed by Nisam Basheer – is unpredictable in more ways than anyone could guess.

The spark for the events in this film is an individual who destroys another’s happiness, but does not live to suffer a vendetta. How do you punish the dead? Rorschach redefines revenge and challenges our definition of life itself as it tells a tale of excruciating loss and an iron will deployed to satisfy an unprecedented, seething desire for payback.

Rorschach takes its name from the Rorschach Test that – to explain it with a layperson’s understanding – assesses a subject’s psychology based on their perceptions of visual patterns created by inkblots. The title refers as much to Luke’s tortured and possibly broken mind as to his notions of living, dying and when exactly a human being is truly finished, and our own perception of who is who, who is dead and who alive by the end of this saga.

Though Rorschach is eerie and evokes curiosity from the beginning, I took a while to get fully immersed in it, partly because I was torn between finding the pace tedious and intriguing, partly because the music and sound design sometimes get overbearing, and partly because the use of English for the song accompanying the narrative is a misfit in this rustic Kerala setting. There is a tendency in a certain kind of Malayalam cinema to feature English and Hindi where they are out of place, thus detracting from a film’s rootedness. The awe in which some Malayalam filmmakers hold these two languages is one undesirable extreme of a spectrum at the other extreme of which is the Hindi supremacism that enables most Hindi filmmakers to ignore India’s language diversity in all locations, including when they set their plots outside the Hindi belt. Thankfully, Rorschach ’s lyricist does better than the writers of the cringeworthy English lines sung in the likes of 12th Man and Love Action Drama , and the tunes, their occasional unnecessary volume notwithstanding, match the mood of the film.

Besides, Rorschach is as unrelenting as Luke, and is designed to chip away at a viewer’s skepticism bit by bit until she succumbs to its lure. I can pinpoint the moment when my antennae shot up and I got hooked. It came about 40 minutes into the 150 minutes running time when I realised that what seemed like a sound artificially stuffed into the film’s audioscape was in fact an actual memory from Luke’s past. This revelation comes in a flashback slipped so seamlessly into the narrative that it made me sit up.

Rorschach swoops from the past to the present, into Luke’s imagination and out into the real world, with a smoothness that does the screenplay proud and should put Kiran Das in contention for several Best Editing trophies when the next awards season rolls around. Equally laudable is Nimish Ravi’s cinematography capturing the interiors of gloomy homes, troubled faces, the giant mountains and lonely forests where Rorschach roams, and the production design team’s construction of an intimidatingly spacious, half-built home.

There are few joys in life as great as the joy of watching Mammootty submit himself fully to a script. The star who risked his macho reputation by playing a hesitant policeman in Khalidh Rahman’s Unda (2019) and starred as a despicable casteist bigot in Ratheena P.T’s Puzhu earlier this year, here takes up a grey character. Mammukka’s weakness for the past couple of decades has been an unwillingness to acknowledge his real-life age on screen. In Rorschach though, both camera and makeup are employed to let fatigue show on his skin and gracefully portray Luke as an elderly man – not the 71 that Mammootty is in real life, but certainly much older than the pretending-to-be-young boyfriend of young women that he has been in many of his low-brow commercial films. Mammukka lets tiredness seep into every line of Luke’s frame, while his eyes are by turns vacant, weary, sorrowful, determined and burning with anger.

Predictably though, an artiste who looks young enough to be his (grand)daughter acts as Sofiya. I have a dream, that one day, the director of a Mammootty starrer will recognise the ageism that leads to the casting of only 20/30-somethings as his sister, lover and wife, will abjure the patriarchal, damaging view that women of Mammootty’s age are unworthy of these roles, and will put her/his foot down on seeing the absurdity in the resultant pairings. I have a dream…

As it happens, the snatches of conversations between Sofiya and Luke are the only ordinarily written dialogues in Rorschach .

That apart, it is a measure of Mammootty’s respect for the writing and the director of Rorschach that, despite being the megastar of this project and its producer, he does not monopolise screen time here. Every member of the cast is outstanding, and half a dozen are given plenty of space with Mammootty nowhere in the frame. In fact, though Rorschach is Mammukka’s film, it belongs too to the formidable performances by Grace Antony as a gritty woman trying to figure Luke out and Bindhu Panicker as a mother who will go to any lengths to preserve her family’s social standing. The film is nothing without their Sujatha and Seetha, both roles written with a keen eye for detail.

The treatment of women in Rorschach is a vast improvement on Nisam’s earlier directorial work, Kettiyollaanu Ente Maalakha (2019). That film was a milestone in the sense that it recognised the existence of marital rape and clearly described it as a crime, which is rare not just in Indian cinema but in the overall public discourse, but it messed up by giving the man’s journey primacy over the woman in a storyline that called for both to be given equal room.

Malayalam cinema has already given us a couple of solid revenge dramas in 2022, Puzhu and Innale Vare . Rorschach is different from them in the way it resists genre boundaries with its paranormal elements and existential questions in a psychological thriller. This film teases the brain from the moment Luke enters that police station. It is not scary in a conventional way, yet presents a terrifying vision of the depths of a vengeful, probably fractured psyche. The director is so confident of the written material he’s working with, that he does not speed up matters at any point to heighten the excitement. Instead he moulds Rorschach into a slow burn that initially tested my patience but paid incremental dividends as each minute went by.

Early in Rorschach when a search party walks across a rocky river bed, Nimish Ravi’s camera pulls out, rising higher and higher until those human beings are no longer visible. The image mirrors the theme of the film: if I can’t see you, does that mean you do not exist? Conversely, like the human faces we imagine when we look up at the moon, the people we spot staring at us from mosaic tiles or the figures we perceive in ink stains, just because I see you, does it mean you do exist? These questions linger long after the credits roll away, much like Rorschach itself, which is not playing on a screen before me as I write this but is still playing in my head.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

This review was first published when Rorschach was released in theatres. The film is now streaming on Disney+Hotstar.

Anna M.M. Vetticad is an award-winning journalist and author of The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic. She specialises in the intersection of cinema with feminist and other socio-political concerns. Twitter: @annavetticad, Instagram: @annammvetticad, Facebook: AnnaMMVetticadOfficial

Read all the Latest News _,_ Trending News _,_ Cricket News _,_ Bollywood News _,_ India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook _,_ Twitter and Instagram _._

Find us on YouTube

Yodha: How Karan Johar and Sidharth Malhotra created history by unveiling the trailer mid-air at 37,000 feet

Here's looking at how Anant Ambani lost 108 kilos in mere 18 months ahead of his wedding with Radhika Merchant

Actress-politician Jaya Prada declared ‘absconding’ by court, arrest warrant issued for this reason

'Pankaj Udhas Was A Little Reluctant To Sing Chitthi Aayi Hai In Naam': Mahesh Bhatt

Yodha: How Karan Johar and Sidharth Malhotra created history by unveiling the trailer mid-air at 37,000 feet

'Rorschach' movie review: Mammootty captivates in a refreshingly twisted gothic revenge thriller

A still from the newly released psychological thriller, 'Rorschach' featuring Mammootty in the lead role.

A few months before the release of Rorschach , I had heard little whispers of its plot from a couple of industry insiders. I found the concept interesting, and I was curious not only to see how director Nisam Basheer -- who made his debut with the polarising Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha -- would pull it off but also how Kerala audiences would react to it. Now, I'm not someone who looks at the initial reactions on social media before writing a review -- because I don't want anyone else's opinions colouring my own -- so I'm not aware of others' Rorschach experience. I'm only sure of mine: fulfilling, not only because it tickled the film buff in me that loves an unconventional genre fusion but also because the makers have pulled it off without making it seem too inaccessible. Oh, and I promise not to spill any spoilers.

What is Rorschach? Well, many things. Off the top of my head -- part revenge thriller, part gothic ghost story, part dysfunctional family drama, part dark comedy, and part crime noir... I might find more on a revisit. Anyway, it's incredible how all of these elements come well together in this film; but look beneath the veneer of genre-blending, and we see three different families with ideological and temperamental differences and an astonishing capacity for evil. By the time we get to the finale, most of these characters evolve into people they were not at the story's beginning.

In the opening scene, when Mammootty's Luke Antony walks into a police station and reports being in an accident and his wife missing, we and every character who comes into contact with him believe him. But we'll soon learn there is a much larger story behind it. Luke isn't hasty to tell it, and neither is the film. It wants to go at the same pace as him. It throws at us disparate images that at first glance seem disjointed, but if you're patient and attentive enough -- don't look at the phone and complain later -- everything will begin to make sense. You'll see the significance of some juxtaposition choices or why some scenes were so brief and sparse with the revelation of information.

I mentioned earlier about Rorschach being a portrait of families. The film gives us more information about them than it does about Luke, and I don't mean this in a negative way. The title also makes sense once the end credits roll. Luke was on a mission, but his arrival also brought out the distasteful facets in some individuals. In that sense, its behaviour is similar to that of a Western. You know, the story of that lone mysterious stranger arriving at a small town to shake things up?

In this film, we learn about a family with a devilish streak running through them for generations. They carry it around like a curse. At one point, a mother declares that her children are her carbon copies and they are capable of everything she is. As this mother, Bindu Panicker gives us a profoundly unsettling performance that eerily recalls Jacki Weaver from the Australian crime drama Animal Kingdom. And there is Jagadish as a quietly functioning police constable whose true intentions, once evident, gives his character a whole new dimension. It takes a while for him to say something, but when he does, he makes you more curious. It's the most impressive I've seen the actor in a long time.

The film's storytelling, too, reflects the idiosyncratic nature of its protagonist. Rorschach reveals information about Luke in an incremental fashion. Sometimes the film catches us off guard by simultaneously running past and present events from his life. There are films where this approach -- where no title card informs us which event is past or present -- failed miserably, but in Rorschach , it works perfectly. It's a classic case of relying more on visual storytelling than exposition. That said, the film has its share of moments where the characters say things that guide us, but at the same time, the script is careful not to say it all at once and ruin the fun. Just as he does with every character he meets, Luke taunts us until it's time for him to tell us what happened in his life and his plans.

The only information we know about Luke initially is that something tragic has befallen him. And then we ask: Who is he? How can he fight so well? What's his interest in two particular families? Why does he want to live in a haunted house? Why is he using someone's skull as an ashtray? We get the answers, all in good time, but it also doesn't forget to keep some things open-ended. That's where the fun is, right?

Speaking of fun, for a film about unlikeable characters and tragic events, Rorschach is not overwhelmingly depressing -- at least, not for me. It seems to relish its dark energy and revel in its gothic environment, just like its leading man. And Mammootty plays Luke with a measure of mischief, creepiness, and daring that you begin to remember some moments from Vidheyan , Thaniyavarthanam , Bhoothakkandi , or Munnariyippu .

Cinematographer Nimish Ravi, who has already proved himself adept at working comfortably with dark subjects ( Luca, Kurup ), once again demonstrates his supreme abilities in Rorschach with a work that's remarkably not repetitive. He bathes characters in enough shadows and amber to make them seem like they are Satan's children. Blacks and greys dominate the colour palette, starting with Luke's luxury car. His residence resembles more of a grim mausoleum than a home -- like a sort of 'limbo' in which 'the man in black' can pronounce his judgement.

I also found the choice of using English songs in the soundtrack -- by Midhun Mukundan, who recently worked on the brilliant Kannada gangster drama Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana -- refreshing. The makers' attempt at ignoring the usual tendency of having music "relatable" for Malayali/Indian audiences is admirable. Perhaps this choice suggests a character trait of Luke. What if these are his favourite songs? After all, we are in his world, aren't we?

Director: Nisam Basheer

Casting: Mammootty, Grace Antony, Bindu Panicker, Jagadish, Sharafudheen

Rating: 4/5 stars

(This story originally appeared on Cinema Express)

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

Download the TNIE app to stay with us and follow the latest

Mammootty's Rorschach hits all the right notes, except in the end | Movie Review

Ever since the movie was announced, Rorschach, directed by Kettyolaanente Maalakha -fame Nisam Basheer, had been grabbing headlines. The teaser and posters made it clear that the film is a psychological thriller. Pre-release publicity was centred around the fact that the film was different from the usual formulas used in Mollywood so far.

In that aspect, Rorschach starring Mammootty, has done well playing into the human psyche, slowly and subtly, in ways a normal viewer would seldom imagine. It has found its niche between the paranormal and normal.

The unique style of cinematography is clap-worthy. The English tracks are powerful and in tune with the genre of the film.

'Priyan Ottathilanu' review: Light-hearted reels with a surprise ending

Oru Kuttanadan Blog review: looking from afar

That said, it is the first half that does justice to the entire film. The build-up of the plot is what intrigues the most -- a mystery man arrives in a hilly terrain declaring that his wife has gone missing. He purchases a house that belonged to a dead man. From then on, his intentions are unclear. But that's the beauty of the first half, which says a lot by showing little.

. @RorschachMovie In Cinemas Soon Watch Trailer : https://t.co/uMSpxIrcIs @MKampanyOffl @DQsWayfarerFilm @Truthglobalofcl #Rorschach pic.twitter.com/LbfaLAwlXI — Mammootty (@mammukka) September 11, 2022

The film attains more clarity as we enter the second half. But it also disappoints a little as it starts treading some predictable paths, especially when the intention of the protagonist becomes clear.

The moment when Luke Antony (Mammootty,) comes face to face with his enemy is a defining moment in the film. But that moment loses its sheen when both Luke and the enemy start behaving predictably.

Rorschach is not your regular, run-of-the-mill film, in treatment and style. Hence there is a chance that you might find the climax a tad unsatisfying, though we know the antagonist has achieved his ends. Who gains and who loses in this mental game is for the viewer to decide.

The makers, however, have done justice to the title. Not a very familiar word to the layman till recently, Rorschach is a psychological test used on subjects to identify their personality. In the movie, each incident unravels the psyche of each individual and it is up to the viewer to decide his/her traits.

Mammootty as Luke Antony, once again proves that age is just a number. His movements are swift, the mysterious aura is intact and the dialogues are enough to thrill you till the end. What he has achieved onscreen is pure brilliance.

If Bheeshma Parvam had elevated Mammootty's style, Rorschach has added only to the actor's class. Bindu Panicker, who has been satisfied playing sentimental and humorous characters for a long time now, gets to do exceptionally well in this movie, as a mother and widow of a dead son and husband, respectively. Grace Antony, Sharafudeen, Kottayam Nazeer and Jagadish are also in their element.

The first-look poster of the film showed an intense-looking Luke (Mammootty) staring from beneath the mask with two holes. The mask definitely is prominent and almost even sums up what the film really is. But, overall, it may be overlooked for some obvious reasons.

The film, bankrolled by Mammootty Kampany, is written by Sameer Abdul. Nisam Basheer, who has also worked as assistant director in Parava , proves again that he is an impactful filmmaker.

Movie Review
Malayalam Cinema

'Aaro': Joju George, Anumol-starrer fails to take off, thanks to old-school treatment

Anne Hathaway shines in 'The Idea of You' tackling gender roles in relationships

Tovino Thomas-starrer 'Nadikar' only exudes a whiff of charm | Movie Review

'Malayalee From India': Nivin Pauly's much-anticipated movie struggles to find its footing | Movie Review

Pavi Caretaker: Balancing humour, emotions with dexterity | Movie Review

Richard Gadd's 'Baby Reindeer': A harrowing tale of sexual assault and stalking | Analysis

'Aavesham': Fahadh Faasil reigns supreme as 'Ranga' in Jithu Madhavan's comedy-entertainer | Movie Review

'Varshangalkku Sesham' Review | A bittersweet tribute to tinsel town’s oddball residents

'The First Omen': A dark and refreshing prequel to a horror classic | Movie Review

onlookersmedia

Rorschach Movie Review: A cerebral, unique experiment

In a recent interview, Mammootty had spoken about how Malayalam cinema is always known for its experiments, and he pointed out the example of the State award winning ‘Aavasavyuham’, a fascinating genre-bender. Well, the megastar’s latest film ‘Rorschach’ is one such interesting fusion of genres. Mammootty deserves huge respect for his unending passion to shoulder such projects time and again.

‘Rorschach’, directed by Nisam Basheer, is completely in contrast to the filmmaker’s previous film ‘Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha’ (also his debut). It begins with Luke Antony (Mammootty) filing a missing complaint in a police station about his wife. The mystery element begins from there. Minutes into the film, one can understand that Luke is in this quaint, remote village for something else. He buys a house there and begins his trail. From here, the narrative sprangs quite a few spoilers, which is best experienced without knowing as much as possible.

Sameer Abdul’s story is something that has been successfully explored several times in world cinema. But it his wonderfully written screenplay that keeps the viewer interested all through the runtime. Nisam Basheer, rightfully, opts for a dark treatment. Literally, everything is dark in the film. The visuals, the humour, the characters and their motives.

Mammootty is terrific in his portrayal of a distraught, revenge-obsessed man. It is an absolute treat to watch him switch shades, particularly the grey portions. Despite being a star of such stature, Mammootty doesn’t show any qualms in portraying an immoral character. This is also a film that doesn’t celebrate the star. He doesn’t get a proper introduction shot. The film’s opening scene has him casually walking (without any slo-mo, or background music) towards a police station. There is no pointless mass moments. Though couple of action scenes seemed forced, it’s effective with some smart choreographed.

Mammootty is ably supported by a brilliant ensemble. Bindu Panicker gets the role of her lifetime and she proves her range as a performer. Kottayam Nazeer and Jagadish also show what showcase their true potential. Grace Antony, Sharafudheen and Sanju Sivaram also impress.

‘Rorschach’ is one of the most technically sound films to have come out of Malayalam cinema in recent times. Right from its absorbing cinematography and atmospheric sound design, everything is top-notch. Midhun Mukundan’s stellar music is one of the film’s major highlights. The choice to use English tracks is so refreshing and makes this film stand apart from the template Malayalam thrillers.

Overall, ‘Rorschach’ is a great theatrical watch if you’re in the mood to watch something ‘unique’ and ‘gripping’.

Movie Ratings

Direction - 8.5/10 8.5/10
Artist Performance - 9/10 9/10
Script - 8.5/10 8.5/10
Technical Side - 8/10 8/10

Recommended for you

Most Popular

Dileep, Dileep direct movie, Dileep director, actor dileep, mohanlal mamootty movie, mammotty dileep movie, mohanlal dileep movie

Dileep plans to direct a big-budget entertainer

Tovino, Dijo Jose Antony, Dijo Jose Antony Tovino movie, Tovino movie news, Tovino movie stills, Pallichattambi movie news, Pallichattambi movie stills

Tovino-Dijo Jose Antony film Pallichattambi to begin next year

Mohanlal,Barroz, Barroz Mohanlal movie, Mohanlal movie news, Mohanlal Santosh Sivan, Santosh Sivan Barroz, Barroz movie stills, Barroz images

Wait ends for Mohanlal’s directorial debut Barroz

Mammootty’s action-packed entertainer turbo on the way.

Rahman, Dhyan Sreenivasan , Omar Lulu, Omar Lulu new movie, Omar Lulu movie news, Omar Lulu Rahman stills, Rahman Dhyan Sreenivasan movie news

Rahman and Dhyan Sreenivasan team up for Omar Lulu’s next

Rajinikanth’s next with Lokesh Kanagaraj is Coolie

Fahadh Faasil, Fahadh Faasil new movie , Fahadh Faasil movie news, Fahadh Faasil Aavesham , Aavesham collection, Aavesham boxoffice

Aavesham enters Rs 100 crore club

Mohanlal and Shobhana, L 360, Mohanlal Shobhana movies, Mohanlal Shobhana new movie, Tharun Moorthy movie news, Tharun Moorthy Mohanlal movie

Mohanlal and Shobhana reunite for L 360

Thanks For Rating

Reminder successfully set, select a city.

Nashik Times
Aurangabad Times
Badlapur Times

You can change your city from here. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city

Edit Profile
Briefs Movies TV Web Series Lifestyle Trending Medithon Visual Stories Music Events Videos Theatre Photos Gaming

Sonakshi on not shooting kissing scenes - EXCLUSIVE

Sonakshi Sinha on not doing intimate or kissing scenes in her career: 'I'm on my 35th film, didn't lose out on anything' - EXCLUSIVE video

Upasana asks playful question to Chiranjeevi

Video! Daughter-in-law Upasana Konidela asks playful question to Padma Vibhushan awardee Chiranjeevi: What's common between me and Klin Kaara?

Aayush addresses divorce rumours with Arpita

Aayush Sharma addresses DIVORCE rumours with wife Arpita Khan after 10-year marriage

When Bollywood celebrities clashed with paps

From Deepika Padukone to Jaya Bachchan: When Bollywood celebs clashed with paps

Undekhi Season 3

Katrina Kaif all smiles on day out in London; actress' long coat leaves fans wondering if she is 'hiding' pregnancy

Movie Reviews

Movie Listings

The Sabarmati Report

Desh Ke Gaddar

Auron Mein Kahan Dum T...

Main Ladega

Rosy Maam I Love You

LSD 2: Love Sex Aur Dh...

Actresses who are expected to walk the red carpet in Cannes 2024!

Nehha Pendse's Gorgeous Looks

Ahaana Krishna’s travel diaries

Mrunal Thakur takes on UFC-inspired workout challenge

Shanaya Kapoor showcases flawless complexion in her photoshoots

Times when Divya Bharathi exuded desi vibes

See how Neha Shetty epitomizes grace with her flawless style

Shilpa Shetty sets the bar high for ethnic fashion in a metallic gold saree

Wamiqa Gabbi to Neeru Bajwa: Reimagining Punjabi actresses as 'Heeramandi' queens

Alia Bhatt's most stunning saree looks

Pyar Ke Do Naam

WOMB: Women Of My Billi...

Luv You Shankar

Do Aur Do Pyaar

Kaam Chalu Hai

Boonie Bears: Guardian ...

The Deep Dark

The Idea of You

The Fall Guy

Late Night With The Dev...

Challengers

Ghostbusters: Frozen Em...

Aranmanai 4

Ninnu Vilaiyadu

Kurangu Pedal

Finder: Project 1

Vallavan Vaguthadhada

Aa Okkati Adakku

Prasanna Vadanam

Paarijatha Parvam

Inti Number 13

Family Star

Tillu Square

Babu: No.1 Bullshit Guy

Om Bheem Bush

Avatara Purusha 2

Chow Chow Bath

Hide And Seek

Somu Sound Engineer

Bonbibi: Widows Of The ...

Pariah Volume 1: Every ...

Shri Swapankumarer Bada...

Manush: Child of Destin...

Bogla Mama Jug Jug Jiyo

Sarabha: Cry For Freedo...

Zindagi Zindabaad

Maujaan Hi Maujaan

Chidiyan Da Chamba

White Punjab

Any How Mitti Pao

Gaddi Jaandi Ae Chalaan...

Buhe Bariyan

Swargandharva Sudhir Ph...

Naach Ga Ghuma

Juna Furniture

Alibaba Aani Chalishita...

Aata Vel Zaali

Shivrayancha Chhava

Devra Pe Manva Dole

Dil Ta Pagal Hola

Ittaa Kittaa

Jaishree Krishh

Bushirt T-shirt

Shubh Yatra

Your Rating

Write a review (optional).

Movie Reviews /
Malayalam /

Rorschach UA

Would you like to review this movie?

Cast & Crew

Rorschach Movie Review : A layered psychological-philosophical thriller

Times Of India

Rorschach - Official Trailer

Rorschach - Official Teaser

Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

Sanju Pb 89 427 days ago

What a movie

Sunil Nambiar 32 485 days ago

It's out and out copy of Anil kapoor's and Harshwardhan's web series "THAR"....I seriously amused that, no one Talking on that part might be coz, it's in Hindi and Marwari language..!! but This particular malayalam film isn't a novelty thing. It's complate copy...!!

User RAGHU 110 543 days ago

A Mind Bending Nio-noir Psychological Thriller.

Sylent Screamer 626 543 days ago

Amazing movie , Mammoka carry the movie on his shoulder along with all the supporting characters of the movie, the direction , storytelling, camera work and location was worth watching

sahadtp 543 days ago

Its like an foriegn movie there have an improvement in malayalam industry and i like it

Visual Stories

Entertainment

Justin Bieber-Hailey Bieber announce pregnancy; we asked ChatGPT for cute names

Ishaa Saha brings in the rain!

9 easy summer breakfast ideas for office goers

10 best cities in the world for curious travellers

10 dog breeds suitable for senior citizens and children

How to make Dahi Aloo at home

Kajal Aggarwal's charm elevates vogue with exquisite wardrobe choices

News - Rorschach

Dileep to headline ‘Rorschach’ director’s next

Is Mohanlal teaming up with ‘Rorschach’ director Nissam...

‘Rorschach’: Makers unveil the making video of the Mamm...

‘Rorschach’ success: Mammootty - Dulquer Salmaan surpri...

Mammootty starrer ‘Rorschach’ gets an OTT release date

Mammootty - Jeo Baby’s ‘Kaathal - The Core’ begins with...

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Get reviews of the latest theatrical releases every week, right in your inbox every Friday.

Thanks for subscribing.

Please Click Here to subscribe other newsletters that may interest you, and you'll always find stories you want to read in your inbox.

Popular Movie Reviews

Manjummel Boys

Malayalee From India

The Goat Life

Pavi Caretaker

Varshangalkku Shesham

Jamy Gillespie (Jamy) Ricky Lee Barnes (Ricky) Ross Compton (Ross) Ashlynn Allen (Ashlynn) Joyce Porter (Neighbor) Chauncey Taylor (Plumber) Jaime Perpich

Two skeptic researchers investigate a mother's claim that an unknown presence may be trying to communicate with her 7-year-old daughter.

Recommendations

Rorschach Movie Review: Mammootty captivates in a refreshingly twisted gothic revenge thriller

Rating: ( 4 / 5).

Director: Nisam Basheer

Cast: Mammootty, Grace Antony, Bindu Panicker, Jagadish, Sharafudheen

What is Rorschach ? Well, many things. Off the top of my head -- part revenge thriller, part gothic ghost story, part dysfunctional family drama, part dark comedy, and part crime noir... I might find more on a revisit. Anyway, it's incredible how all of these elements come well together in Rorschach ; but look beneath the veneer of genre-blending, and we see three different families with ideological and temperamental differences and an astonishing capacity for evil. By the time we get to the finale, most of these characters evolve into people they were not at the story's beginning.

I mentioned earlier about Rorschach being a portrait of families. The film gives us more information about them than it does about Luke, and I don't mean this in a negative way. The title ' Rorschach ' also makes sense once the end credits roll. Luke was on a mission, but his arrival also brought out the distasteful facets in some individuals. In that sense, its behaviour is similar to that of a Western. You know, the story of that lone mysterious stranger arriving at a small town to shake things up?

In Rorschach , we learn about a family with a devilish streak running through them for generations. They carry it around like a curse. At one point, a mother declares that her children are her carbon copies and they are capable of everything she is. As this mother, Bindu Panicker gives us a profoundly unsettling performance that eerily recalls Jacki Weaver from the Australian crime drama Animal Kingdom. And there is Jagadish as a quietly functioning police constable whose true intentions, once evident, gives his character a whole new dimension. It takes a while for him to say something, but when he does, he makes you more curious. It's the most impressive I've seen the actor in a long time.

More like this

Did you know

User reviews 60

Technical specs

Related news

More to explore

Recently viewed

[Review] ‘Rorschach’ is a Subtle and Engaging Thriller

You may like

‘Keeper’ – Tatiana Maslany Starring in Next Horror Movie from ‘Longlegs’ Director

Original Classic ‘The Crow’ Returning to Theaters for 30th Anniversary

Two New Images from ‘Alien: Romulus’ Spotlight the Heroes and the Giger-Faithful Monster

Party City Releasing Life-Size ‘Terrifier 2’ Art the Clown & Little Pale Girl Animatronics!

“Crystal Lake” – A24 Has NOT Pulled the Plug on Their ‘Friday the 13th’ TV Series [Exclusive]

‘It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This’ Review – Found Footage Movie Won ‘Best Feature’ at Salem Horror Fest

Rorschach movie review: Mammootty’s slick psychological revenge thriller makes for an engaging experience

WHERE TO WATCH

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Email not verified

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

Movies / TV

Rorschach Reviews

Rorschach movie review: Revenge redefined with Mammootty v Grace Antony v Bindhu Panicker leading the charge

Related Stories

Yodha: How Karan Johar and Sidharth Malhotra created history by unveiling the trailer mid-air at 37,000 feet

Here's looking at how Anant Ambani lost 108 kilos in mere 18 months ahead of his wedding with Radhika Merchant

Actress-politician Jaya Prada declared ‘absconding’ by court, arrest warrant issued for this reason

'Pankaj Udhas Was A Little Reluctant To Sing Chitthi Aayi Hai In Naam': Mahesh Bhatt

'Rorschach' movie review: Mammootty captivates in a refreshingly twisted gothic revenge thriller

Related Stories

Mammootty's Rorschach hits all the right notes, except in the end | Movie Review

'Priyan Ottathilanu' review: Light-hearted reels with a surprise ending

Oru Kuttanadan Blog review: looking from afar

'Aaro': Joju George, Anumol-starrer fails to take off, thanks to old-school treatment

Anne Hathaway shines in 'The Idea of You' tackling gender roles in relationships

Tovino Thomas-starrer 'Nadikar' only exudes a whiff of charm | Movie Review

'Malayalee From India': Nivin Pauly's much-anticipated movie struggles to find its footing | Movie Review

Pavi Caretaker: Balancing humour, emotions with dexterity | Movie Review

Richard Gadd's 'Baby Reindeer': A harrowing tale of sexual assault and stalking | Analysis

'Aavesham': Fahadh Faasil reigns supreme as 'Ranga' in Jithu Madhavan's comedy-entertainer | Movie Review

'Varshangalkku Sesham' Review | A bittersweet tribute to tinsel town’s oddball residents

'The First Omen': A dark and refreshing prequel to a horror classic | Movie Review

Movie Ratings

Recommended for you

Most Popular

Dileep plans to direct a big-budget entertainer

Tovino-Dijo Jose Antony film Pallichattambi to begin next year

Wait ends for Mohanlal’s directorial debut Barroz

Rahman and Dhyan Sreenivasan team up for Omar Lulu’s next

Rajinikanth’s next with Lokesh Kanagaraj is Coolie

Aavesham enters Rs 100 crore club

Mohanlal and Shobhana reunite for L 360

Thanks For Rating

Movie Listings

The Sabarmati Report

Desh Ke Gaddar

Auron Mein Kahan Dum T...

Main Ladega

Rosy Maam I Love You

LSD 2: Love Sex Aur Dh...

Pyar Ke Do Naam

WOMB: Women Of My Billi...

Luv You Shankar

Do Aur Do Pyaar

Kaam Chalu Hai

Boonie Bears: Guardian ...

The Deep Dark

The Idea of You

The Fall Guy

Late Night With The Dev...

Challengers

Ghostbusters: Frozen Em...

Aranmanai 4

Ninnu Vilaiyadu

Kurangu Pedal

Finder: Project 1

Vallavan Vaguthadhada

Aa Okkati Adakku

Prasanna Vadanam

Paarijatha Parvam