Ekō (2025) Movie ft. Binu, Vineeth, and Sandeep
Director Dinjith Ayyathan returns with Ekō, a mystery thriller that reunites him with writer Bahul Ramesh after their successful collaboration on Kishkindha Kaandam. This November 21 release features Sandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Narain, Binu Pappu, and Biana Momin leading an impressive cast. Shot across Idukki’s mist-covered terrain, the film concludes what Ramesh calls his Animal Trilogy.
The production team includes Ashokan, Saheer Mohammed, Saurabh Sachdeva, and other talented actors who bring depth to this layered narrative. Filming wrapped in June 2025 after starting in April, with natural landscapes becoming essential to the storytelling approach. Producer MRK Jhayaram presents this as Aaradyaa Studios’ first venture.
The Story Unfolds in Layers
Kaattukunnu’s foggy hills become home to Mlaathi Chedathi and Peyoos, two people facing circumstances beyond their control. The shadow of Kuriyachan—businessman, criminal, protector—looms large over everything. The narrative shifts between timelines, leaving you to piece together how events connect. Nobody gets labeled clearly here as hero or villain.
Opening frames in Wayanad establish mood immediately. Mist clings to roads while characters move through spaces heavy with secrets. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival weave through scenes that ask you to pay attention. I appreciated how the script trusts viewers to follow without constant explanation.
Acting That Feels Genuine
Sandeep Pradeep carries much of the film’s weight as Peyoos. His physicality during confrontations feels authentic rather than choreographed. I noticed how he moves with the same instinct as the animals in the story. He’s building a career on smart choices and this adds another strong credit.
Biana Momin brings understated power to her scenes while Vineeth maintains consistent quality throughout. Saurabh Sachdeva enters Malayalam cinema with confident work as the mysterious figure everyone discusses. Supporting players like Ashokan, Narain, and Binu Pappu use their screen time effectively without wasting moments.
Production Values Elevate Everything
Mujeeb Majeed composed music that works through absence as much as presence. Sounds of wind, footsteps, and silence carry emotional weight. The score never demands attention but shapes how you experience each frame. Bahul Ramesh shot the film with an eye for natural light and weather conditions that add texture.
Editor Sooraj E.S. maintains rhythm while allowing scenes to develop naturally. I found the visual approach refreshing because it uses location authentically instead of just as backdrop. Hills, fog, and isolation become storytelling elements themselves. The runtime feels right for the material covered.
Pacing Creates Some Distance
Early portions move deliberately, which works thematically but may frustrate some viewers. Major plot developments wait until midpoint before revealing themselves. I understand the artistic choice but felt the investment required upfront might lose people. Time shifts happen without clear markers making it challenging to orient yourself initially.
Emotional connection takes effort to establish when characters remain enigmatic for extended periods. The second half gains momentum and clarity that makes earlier patience pay off. Still, getting there requires commitment not everyone brings to theaters these days.
Response Has Been Strong
The Week praised it as outstanding mystery storytelling that surpasses Kishkindha Kaandam. Comparisons to K.G. George’s classics appeared in multiple reviews. Online reactions show enthusiastic support with several calling it the year’s finest thriller. One reviewer broke personal tradition by awarding 5/5 stars for the first time to a Malayalam production.
IMDb currently displays 9.3/10 from early viewings. Critics highlight the suspense construction and performance quality consistently. General audiences mention how revelations happen at perfect intervals. The conclusion apparently justifies the gradual buildup according to most reactions I’ve seen.
My Take on This Experience
Ekō demands your full attention but rewards that investment. This isn’t casual viewing material. The technical execution from cinematography to sound design creates atmosphere you feel physically. I found Sandeep Pradeep particularly impressive in how he embodies his character without obvious acting tricks.
What stays with me is the film’s confidence in its own pace and structure. It doesn’t apologize for asking viewers to work alongside it. The man-animal relationship explored here goes deeper than surface symbolism. Ramesh and Ayyathan clearly respect their audience’s capacity to engage with complex material.
Some won’t connect with this approach and that’s fine. It knows its identity and commits fully. For those seeking cinema that challenges rather than just entertains, this delivers what it promises.
Rating: 4.5/5
