Manjummel Boys (2024) User Reviews

We are surely in the new golden era of mollywood

[Akshay_mg · 9/10 · 23 February 2024]

Hat-trick blockbuster week for mollywood When I thought about writing a review on this movie I couldn't chose which department should I praise more.

Soubin shahir was perfect in the role of elder brother in a gang of youngsters.

Ganapathy did a great job in casting. He knows whom to be placed in a role. Even a small dialogue from taxi driver gave the whole theatre goosebumps Some shots were above brilliant. I can only imagine how they pulled out some great shots in the second half. DOP,and art director obviously needs an applause.

Second half gave some nail biting moments and also some spooky stuffs to get scared But the movie ended on a soft note they could have made more impact if they did otherwise.

Hope Amidst Hopelessness: Buckle up for a rollercoaster with "Manjummel Boys."

[samxxxul · 8/10 · 22 February 2024]

Wow!! Malayalam cinema delivers again! I'll say right away that the "Manjummel Boys' will be a bundle of emotion and a tug-of-war kind of feeling for those who are able to empathize. Personally, I was happy, afraid, angry, sometimes despairing and even choking with the characters for their redemption.

As to those who are familiar with the plot, Manjummel Boys is based on true story of a squad of 11 friends who hits the road for Kodaikanal in 2006. Laughter echoes in the hills, until one fateful step leads to a chilling truth: the Devil's Kitchen claims all who fall. Fear grips them, despair threatens, but their bond, a beacon in the darkness, ignites a desperate rescue mission. This a story deeper, where raw emotions paint a portrait of friendship forged in the face of the abyss. This is the thread which the film rides and successfully manages to be a winner. Despite the isolation of space, the film is very dynamic, both beneath and beyond. For some reason, the poster pushed me to the fact that this picture will be in the horror style, I expected to see zombie apocalypse and some internal conflicts that main characters experiences. Nothing aligned with my thoughts after the trailer but after watching it today and i would rather say i saw something more. I truly saw fear, despair, I saw a life drama filled with injustice and the tale of friendship in the midst of hopelessness.

Now about the game of actors - nearly everyone shines, with some moments reaching pure brilliance. Soubin Shahir delivers as always, but Sreenath Bhasi steals the show as the young atheist. He deserves a standing ovation for acting transmitting the whole palette of feelings of a person who is helpless and clinging to the slightest opportunity to see hope. Another great aspect of the film is the is cinematography by Shyju Khalid. It is stunning to witness all the shots taking a tonal shift when it turns macabre with every detail shown on the screen. Plus, the makeup team did wonders transforming Bhasi in the second half. Let's not forget the editing, Vivek Harshan deserves a shoutout for those incredible cuts, especially the way he blends Bhasi's cave scene with his childhood memories. He does the same with Soubin Shahir, creating one of the powerful moment in the film

The soundtrack is no less commendable. Sushin Shyam's soundtrack plays with light and dark, hope and despair, perfectly mirroring the film's emotional roller coaster. The pre-interval scene with Soubin Shahir's reaction with its stripped-down score, is brilliant, while the climax uses Ilayaraaja's iconic "Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhal" to deliver a gut punch of emotion. This genius homage to the evergreen classic from Kamal Hassan starrer "Gunaa" which leaves a lasting impact.

Final thoughts, Malayalam cinema continues to shine! After recent hits like "Attam," "Abraham Ozler," "Premalu," "Anweshippin Kandethum," and "Bramayugam," "Manjummel Boys" joins the list of must-watch films. This honest, smart film boasts of excellent performances and technical prowess. While not flawless, after all the emotional upheavals that you experience with the "Manjummel Boys", this film can be forgiven a lot. I want to say this is a testament to the director Chidambaram's masterful execution and he expertly crafted it as a rollercoaster of emotions and a tale of friendship.

outstanding

[joyalbrightt · 9/10 · 22 February 2024]

This movie showing the true bond of friendship ; this movie is all about the unbreakable strong love of friendship !

Outstanding making by Chidambaram and crew !

Exceptional background score by Sushin Shyam and beautiful cinematography by Shyju Khalid !

All actors did fine especially soubin shahir and sreenath bhasi is excellent and all other technical side is top notch !

Don't expect to come to theater for a comic trip ,its a Emotional Roller-coaster !

A well made survival drama experience in big screen !

This one is based on actual events and you will truly connect to them when you leave the theater !

Don't miss it!

Survival thriller at its best! Manjummel Boys - take a bow!

[jove24 · 10/10 · 22 February 2024]

I don't know where to start. The movie is engaging right from the start to the end. Every actor has performed like there is no tomorrow. I don't want to give anything away but please DO NOT wait for this to come out on OTT. It is a definite theater experience and if you are a malayalee, you will come out walking full of pride because of the quality and depth of this movie's overall production. These are the movies that should be showcased in Cannes and what not.

Entire Manjummel Team - you guys have delivered a masterpiece and thank you giving us the perfect survival thriller. Hollywood - take note!

Class Direction and Edge of the seat thriller!

[kakhisham · 10/10 · 23 February 2024]

"Manjummel Boys" is a cinematic marvel that captivates audiences with its impeccable direction and compelling storytelling. From the outset, it establishes itself as a masterpiece deserving of the highest praise. The casting choices are impeccable, with each actor delivering performances that are not just top-class but also remarkably authentic and evocative.

One of the film's standout features is its cinematography, which elevates every scene to a new level of visual splendor. The way in which the scenes are captured demonstrates a keen attention to detail, immersing viewers in the world of the story and enhancing their emotional connection to the characters. Additionally, the use of color in the film is masterful, adding depth and richness to the narrative while also serving as a visual metaphor for the themes explored.

Overall, "Manjummel Boys" is a cinematic triumph that exceeds expectations in every aspect. Its direction, storytelling, casting, acting, cinematography, and use of color all contribute to an unforgettable viewing experience that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It is a film that not only entertains but also resonates on a profound level, making it a must-watch for cinephiles and casual moviegoers alike.

A Nailbiting movie that will leave you breathless till the end...!!!!

[inmm · 10/10 · 22 February 2024]

A must watch theatre experience for all the cinephiles that takes you through a riveting and delightful cinematic journey. Its a film that captures the essence of friendship and camaraderie. The Film is filled with an exceptional outstanding cast, whose performances brings all kinda emotions on your faces for 2 hours.

The technical work of the film is deserves a staggering applause for their hardwork behind the scenes as it was so evident that after watching the film, every single person would sing thier praises. Of all the work within the movie, Sushin Shyam again and again showcases what the music and sound does to elevate a film into its peak mode.

I highly recommend everyone to watch this masterpiece in your nearby theatres, in every word the film's " Worth it"....

Manjummel boys elevating Malayalam movies to Manjummel.

[arhaanshamraz · 10/10 · 23 February 2024]

Often times turning real life incidents to movies, personally for me doesn't really hit the right spots with its over exaggeration and dramatisation. But what Chidambaram has done is quite magnificent, considering this is his second movie after his directorial debut, Jan-e-man. In a month where multiple Malayalam movies has been going at each other in the box office, especially with Bramayugam being so critically acclaimed, this movie is made so well that it makes a movie like Bramayugam fall short.

Performances from the whole cast, especially Soubin and Bhasi are next level and Sushin's music, Shyju Khalid's cinematography, editing by Vivek Harsha and costumes by Mashar Hamsa are all noteworthy. This is a kind of movie that elevates the industry to levels it's never seen before and I'm glad that the Malayalam industry are turning out to be juggernauts in movie making, not just in India but globally.

Do watch the movie as it reels you in from the moment it starts and lets you go only when it finishes. Kudos to the whole team behind the movie and can't wait for the rest of the Malayalam movies to roll out for the year.

" An Edge of the Seat Survival Thriller

[Abhinav_Sumeet_Kombra · 9/10 · 24 February 2024]

• This film has been on my anticipated films list and I did not have much clarity on the real life story of the Manjummal Boys but this film showcased that brillaintly. This film stars Sreenath Bhasi , Soubin Shahir , Balu Varghese , Ganapati and many more. It is directed by the Jan E Man fame Chidambaram who has done a fabulous job in directing this film and escalating tension and intensity among the audiences. Me as an audience felt emotionally connected to it and was on the edge of my seat throught the film. The film's making is top-notch aswell , the standouts being Shyju Khalid's Cinematography, the Editing by Vivek Harshan who perfectly integrated childhood flashbacks in to the suspenseful film without losing it's momentum. Sushin Shyam music was great aswell. This one is a must watch.

Technically brilliant and emotionally fulfilling

[Jithindurden · 8/10 · 2 March 2024]

From Janeman itself Chidambaram's grasp in direction was evident but here he proves it again. The tone shift from an easy-going feel to a gripping emotional ride is so natural and effective. I never thought I would be this invested in it since I already knew almost what to expect from it. The script itself might have been pretty simple and on the point, not minimizing the craft there, but the direction is what really makes this stand out. Every single choice of what shot is used, the music used and what is to be shown at what time all made it so much more effective than what I would have expected from such a story. All the actors did great even though there's not too much space for any one person to shine more with such a big cast. But from the initial moments, the one I really noticed was Lal Jr, who was perfect as that loud obnoxious ahole in the friend group that most people hate. Soubin, Bhasi, Deepak and even Khalid Rahman did great in their roles.

Watching this right after watching Gunaa felt like the right choice right from the opening credits. But I wanted to make sure, I see that song in Gunaa first and not this. It was the right choice because this would've been the definitive point of that song if I had seen this first. Beautiful use and homage to Gunaa even though both are very different films.

The rescue scenes, the emotional weight they carried and the following events that allow the viewers to fully let their emotions out all worked brilliantly, For now, my favourite movie of the year. Ironic since among the theatre watches this year, this was one that I was least interested in.

Three less than thirteen lives

[cinish · 7/10 · 7 March 2024]

I had watched thirteen lives a few weeks back and was blown over by the movie. From the mention of Guna caves in relation to Manjummel Boys, I had the feeling that this is going to be a mild adaptation of the thirteen lives. And that turned true - the movie is made with one spoon of concentrate from thirteen lives, some brovado, some tamil elements.

Sreenath Basi's "costume work" has been exceptional. There are some riveting stills and shots of him.

As I was about to leave the movie with a resigned feeling of having seen a shadow of another movie I had already seen, the end titles showed the actual incident that the movie had apparently got inspired from. So my theory that the makers had done the work of juxtaposing thirteen lives into the local setting was incorrect.

They had not even done that. They found a local incident that they could map the making of thirteen lives with, and then they project the real local incident, and totally push the thirteen lives movie under the carpet. Now we have an exceptional cinematic adaptaion of a real local incident.

One of the smart practical standout strategies in thirteen lives was the effort to block the water from seeping into the tunnel through whirl pools. That is a deep insight that had come from a veteran volunteer naturologist as Thailand was faced with unstoppable rain. That is not the kind of thought a bunch of fun loving easy goers would come up with.

Another striking decision in thirteen lives was to bring the boys back sedated. That decision juxtaposes poorly in Manjummel boys as well.

And we have the director talking in interviews about his earnest inquiry into the real incident. Part of the script is in the movie. The rest is in the media.

Brilliant

[nairtejas · 9/10 · 27 February 2024]

When nostalgia and survivalism blend together, it's hard to not pay attention. In Manjummel Boys (Boys from Manjummel), a motley crew of childhood friends get together for a quick trip to a neighbouring hill station. The camaraderie at display is effervescent but it is heightened by the brilliant writing that juxtaposes the friends' childhood days with the present. There's never a dull moment in Manjummel Boys and the viewing experience only elevates as the plot thickens and we see an extraordinary tale of the bond of friendship and courage. The technical prowess of the film, accentuated by the score, never lets you blink as you move to the edge of your seat to see what happens next. You lowkey know what happens next if you have followed the news around the real-life incident that inspired this but you are never ready for the roller-coaster experience the film delivers at the end. I was not.

One Time Watchable

[arunmohan-49774 · 6/10 · 5 March 2024]

Director Chidambaram has taken the real incident very well. All the characters are did acted well particularly Kuttan Role😍. Bgm's of the film was perfect and kanmani song sync timing 👌. Starting half an hour it got boring then after it went steadily till the interval. Second half was the best and exciting parts of the film. The movie was content strong, technically strong but half of the film in the first half too lagging overall screenplay should have been better. There is nothing to say this is great film there have better films than this. Definitely it's not a great movie but it is a good movie to watch once in theatre.

Just once watchable

[saruu-57722 · 3/10 · 1 April 2024]

I went through imdb ratings before watching the movie and it was full of praise for the movie.. Later after watching it i realized that these ratings are not to be trusted. I personally felt the movie is just once watchable and over hyped. Some may argue that the story is real and director has done justice to it. But for me, cinema is all about entertainment. The entertainment factor has been missing. For real life scenarios we have documentaries. Jan-e-man movie of the same director has been far more amusing and entertaining. Anyways good for film industry in general and soubin in particular, that it could amass 200crore.

Brilliant film!

[genisis_tp · 8/10 · 22 February 2024]

Manjummel Boys, directed by the Chidambaram who gave us Jan e Man, is a brilliantly made film based on true incidents.

From the very first scene the director transports us to the centre of the story, the friends trip will make us feel as we are with them. The acting department is lead by Soubin and Sreenath Bhasi, honestly there isn't much space for them to perform but Soubin has done a good job in that, Bhasi doesn't have much screentime.

Now coming to the main highlight of this film, Sushin Shyam! Dude has hit it out of the park with the background score, at times it felt like a horror movie with his haunting scores. Sushin really elevated this movie to a whole another level.

Overall this a great survival thriller film that is elevated to another level by the music.

Watch it in a good theatre to fully experience the background score.

Amazing movie Must watch in Theater

[rtccppdt · 10/10 · 25 February 2024]

Amazing movie. Don't miss watching it in big screen. This is a must watch in theater. The actual feel of this movie can be experienced only in big screen or theaters. Plus the locations & landscapes shown in the movie will be a feast to your eyes.

Such type of movies are a blessing to malayalam movie industry.

The movie director, art directors, actors & the whole crew did a remarkable job.

While watching we literally connect with every character & we did feel the same emotions what they went through. Everyone must watch it & feel the value of life. This movie has a lot to learn from. Totally worth watching in cinemas.

An Unforgettable Experience!

[niya-40108 · 10/10 · 28 February 2024]

I don't have words to describe this movie ! It such a masterpiece! Such a Cinematic Experience! Don't miss it in the theatres it is worth every penny & every second! Absolutely In Love with this Film !! It is Normally Cinephiles like me who are obsessed with & gets hangover of film but this time my whole family couldn't stop talking about it. The actors & Technical Team couldn't have done a better job . Sushin's Bgm & Chidambaram's out of world direction the Art team every deserve even more appreciation. In my opinion this film should go international! . Finally my fav part the usage of a love & that line proving that "Friendship IS ONE OF THE PUREST FORM OF LOVE" ohfff!!!!!!

Kamal Hassan Magic - Guna Cave

[vijayhemnath655 · 8/10 · 10 March 2024]

"Manjummel Boys" takes audiences on an exhilarating journey as it explores the resilience of the human spirit when faced with adversity. Anchored by a gripping storyline centered around a man's harrowing experience of falling into a cave, the film expertly blends suspense, drama, and moments of sheer determination. Through breathtaking cinematography and compelling performances, viewers are drawn into the protagonist's struggle for survival and the unwavering support of his friends. "Manjummel Boys" is a riveting tale of courage, friendship, and the triumph of the human will, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Easily the top contender for the best film of the year.

[chand-suhas · 8/10 · 26 February 2024]

Based on the real incident that happened in 2006, Manjummel Boys revolves around a group of friends going on a trip to Kodaikanal and illegally entering the restricted Guna Caves, also known as Devil's Kitchen. On of the friend accidently falls into the deep pit and thus begins the survival thriller as historically, nobody has been rescued from that pit and the race against time to save the friend begins when the friends are left with only hope to fight back, after the authorities leave them with no choice. Will the hope help them find a way to bring back their friend alive, forms rest of the story.

The first half begins on a normal note, introducing the characters and their harmless feud with another gang. The film truly begins once the gang reaches Kodaikanal and from there onwards, it is one hell of an rollercoaster ride. It led to several moments that caught me speechless and even on the edge of the seat. It is also the case of convenient writing being the trump card and the way several moments circle back to an earlier scene be it the tug of war or the mini flashbacks of their childhood to the biggie aka the classic Guna song. I clapped hard at couple of scenes towards the end and especially the insertion of the Guna song which was top notch.

Sure, the film's convenient writing simply paints the Kodaikanal police to be utterly inconsiderate for the dramatic staging and it takes it bit too far when they choose one of the friend to be sent down the pit to rescue, but the tense narrative makes up for it as these scenes in the end simply work. Digging further would involve me sharing the spoilers and I really do not want to do that. As far as Indian cinema goes, survival dramas are far less and among the good ones are even lesser. Here comes a solid film that has a near perfect execution and it definitely is a must watch on the big screen. Kudos to the Manjummel Boys team for pulling this off.

2 times, and still feeling the goosebumps

[cksquare · 10/10 · 27 February 2024]

I dont recall when was the time i last clapped in the movies, for a scene.

I also never rated the song "Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan" very high. But after watching this movie, that song has a whole different meaning and connection.

Hats of the director, he wrote to the script too. A true story, nothing more to tell other than about a daring rescue. At no time during the movie do you feel, there is something missing or that something is wasted. Every single scene is so tightly warped together. When you first hear this dialogue "Endha machane deivam", you are wondering what! And it ties in, wonderfully.

Movie starts, and i soon endear myself to a bunch of friends. We go a trip, and one of us get into trouble. How can you simply desert him there? And thru the entire second half, i am there immersed with the characters on the screen trying to rescue my friend. I had to clap at a point when we were about to turn the tide against us.

Beautifully crafted movie. I had to watch it a second time, and my goosebumps still come up when i think of a few scenes. So many of them. So many.

Thirsting for this ... once more...

Manjummel Boys - Average movie

[vinkamfam · 6/10 · 2 March 2024]

This movie could be good in technical department but story wise not up to the mark.. I heard good things about this movie but I am not satisfied with its story. It reminds me a tamil movie called "Aramm" starring Nayanthara and directed by Gopi Nayanaar. Watched this movie in Malayalam language which I don't understand. But I heard positive review from Tamil audience mostly that made to watch this in Malayam. Not satisfactory.

One thing is this movie speaks about the true friendship, Hope. It conveys friendship is more stronger than love via "Guna" movie song.

Pros : Casting is good, Performance wise good, Music is good, Set work is good and the biggest plus is last 20 to 30 mins.

Cons: Fails to create an impact unable to connect ourself(except last 15 mins). Something is missing. Reminds me "Aramm" movie.

THIS DECADE BELONGS TO MALAYALAM FILM INDUSTRY

[mishraj · 10/10 · 28 March 2024]

Plot: The plot is very simple, a group of crazy friends went for a trip in Guna Caves. There they wanted to explore some restricted caves, one fell down inside 900M+ depth cave while chilling there. The plot was about to rescue him alive from that cave. This is quite similar to Mission Raniganj.

Director's brilliance & visuals: Despite a simple plot, the director has shown his magic with the breathtaking screenplay, perfectly used Sound effects & BGM, Dialogues and the stunning but realistic visuals. I can't miss such spectacular visual experience. I am spellbound about the performances.

Malayalam Filmmaking with Human Psychology:- In the past 3/4 years, the industry is playing with our psychologies. They simply set up a premise that will make you happy and emotionally connected with characters first, and they'll show something that'll shock you. This is also the same, they've shown a group of funny Fukras and when one of them is stuck in a problem, how they deal with it together!

The Rescue/Camera Works:- When they entered the cave to rescue with a rope, I just wanted to salute the cinematographer Shyju for the mindblowing and realistic camera works. You did a brilliant job after Anjaam Pathiraa.

Overall: This movie is a deserving candidate for Oscars already.

Lacking Depth: Assessing the Flaws in 'Manjummel Boys'

[saleemmulla · 7/10 · 24 February 2024]

'Manjummel Boys' stands out in Malayalam cinema with its captivating survival thriller and impressive craftsmanship. The rarity of such a genre makes it a must-watch for enthusiasts. However, its swift ending and shallow emotional connection hinder its impact. While it delivers a gripping narrative, it falls short of international standards like 'Thirteen Lives.' Despite this, the film offers an engaging cinematic experience that keeps viewers hooked till the end.

The character development could have been more robust to establish a stronger emotional bond with the audience. Nonetheless, the direction and cinematography are commendable, contributing to the overall appeal of the movie. For fans of survival thrillers, 'Manjummel Boys' offers a refreshing addition to the Malayalam film industry, albeit with room for improvement in storytelling depth.

Boring except the last 30 mins

[dijojohn-57912 · 1/10 · 12 May 2024]

The name of the character that falls into the gorge is named Subhash. Half of the dialogs in the movie are just people calling/shouting 'Subashe, Subhashe'. This is not a survival thriller. This is a story of a bunch of drunkards going to a restricted cave and then others having to bail them out. Not worth watching.

The only good cinema in this epic bore is the last 30 mins when a character volunteers to enter the gorge to save the life of his friend. That climb-down and the subsequent rescue is kind of ok to watch. If you are someone who just wants to watch a survival thriller, go watch class movies like 127 Hours or something because this one is just a waste of time.

Manitha Unarvu Kolla ithu Manitha Kaathal Alla!!

[shyamkrishsai · 8/10 · 22 February 2024]

Friendship, travel, fun, fear, emotions, survival. Thats Manjummel boys. We got to know from the trailer. Movie's first half is mostly light and it starts intensifiying towards the half. Second half is where the major emotion of the movie lies. Star of this movie is ultimately Sushin Shyam with his rivetting background score. It keeps us hooked to the story, gives the goosebumps and moves our hearts. Srinath Bhasi has done one of his best performances ever. Soubin equally shines on the crucial scenes. Other cast members are just part of it and have done considerable justice to their parts. One area which I felt little disconnected emotionally was the breakdown of Chandu's character. The built-up initially didn't give the intended effect emotionally. It felt rushed. But in second half the whole emotions picks up thanks to the intense claustrophobic scenes and Sushin's magical score. Overall looks like another winner for the year.

P. S.: Special credits to Gina and the Kanmani Song. It really elevated the movie in many ways.

A riveting tale of fear and friendship; filmmaking at its finest.

[avaraana · 8/10 · 3 March 2024]

'Manjummel Boys' will likely go down as one of the most brilliantly executed films the storytelling landscape has seen in years.

The film's mastery lies in its blending of reality and fantasy, mixing raw primal emotions like fear, curiosity, guilt, love and bravery into a tapestry of scenes befitting Palaeolithic cave art for its gripping intensity and the honesty with which it treats its characters.

A seemingly straightforward plot, it's easy to expect equally straightforward treatment, given this tale is based on a true story. This could've been a cold, serious docudrama or a fantastical take on the legends of the mountains, they could've weaved in preachy sociopolitical commentary and critiques, but to the delight of the audience, they chose a different path.

Each frame oozes with layers and layers of story, well-crafted character development, and a raw aesthetic that captures the awe-inspiring wonders and dangers of the deep, misty, ancient mountains. The storyline is flanked by conundrums of caution and culture, fate and faith, all without any preachy dialogues. In many moments, the film almost philosophically straddles a fine line between tradition and modernity, without openly questioning either. They leave that to the audience. The film-makers treat their audience with maturity, there is no spoon-feeding, instead it is a buffet of creative excellence. Some of the visual metaphors are so delicate, you may just miss them in the palpable, edge-of-your-seat tension that holds the story together.

There is no sermonizing, no moral science lectures, every single aspect of the production from the dialogues to the screenplay, the direction, casting, the seamless editing, heart-pounding visuals, the score, art direction, colours, costumes, and ufffffff the lighting! All masters in their own right, and still every single element melds together in service of the film as a whole, and not solely for their own praise.

This film is a love letter to nature, unsaid promises between friends, and the indomitable force that is the human spirit. This is the kind of film that stays with you, and will probably flash through your eyes on your next trip to the mighty mountains with your buddies. Can't give half star extra on IMDB, but this is a strong 8.5/10 for me. Vere level, seriously. I could do a shot by shot breakdown and go on and on about why each layer works so well with the others, but then what will you do after watching it?