Review: 'Dridam' Falters with Clichés and Excessive Violence

The Malayalam police procedural 'Dridam,' directed by debutant Martin Joseph, receives a negative review from The Hindu for failing to meet genre expectations. Set in the high ranges of Kerala, the film follows rookie cop Vijay, played by Shane Nigam, who is assigned to a peaceful rural outpost. The narrative shifts when a decomposed body is discovered and a local bank is robbed, placing immense pressure on Vijay and his colleagues. While the initial setup shows promise, the critique highlights that the movie suffers from clichéd storytelling and a lack of suspense. The writing and scene staging are criticized for making the film feel like it is running on autopilot. Although the final act features an effective reveal, its impact is severely undermined by a sudden descent into extreme, gratuitous violence, including sickening sound design involving blunt force trauma. Shane Nigam’s performance is praised for capturing the vulnerability and hot-headedness of a novice officer, but the supporting cast is deemed largely functional. Ultimately, the review concludes that despite moments of potential, 'Dridam' becomes an underwhelming affair that relies too heavily on hyper-violence rather than substantive thriller elements.