Nalla Nilavulla Raathri review: This thriller is high on technical quality, but lacks a good script

Nalla Nilavulla Raathri (A Moonlit Night) revolves around a crime that happens in a forest bungalow and the factors that lead to the gruesome murder.

Directed by debutant Murphy Devassy, Nalla Nilavulla Raathri opens up with a group of four friends who are involved in organic farming in Kanthalloor in Kerala’s Idukki district.

The four friends are played by Binu Pappu (Joshy), Dominic (Jinu Joseph), Rony David Raj (Peter) and Rajeev (Nithin George). Business deals and greed among these partners form the crux of the movie.

They are not good in terms even though they do business together. Kurien (Baburaj) enters their life and plays a dirty game with them.

Kurien introduces them to a plot in Shimoga in Karnataka. The piece of land is actually owned by him but he keeps them in the dark.

He urges the four partners to buy the plot so that he is relieved from his financial burden.

Meanwhile, Irumban (Chemban Vinod Jose) enters the scene in Shimoga. A local goon, he is an old friend of Kurien.

Now, all these men, including Kurien, driver Aneesh (Ganapathy), and Kurien’s relative Paul (Sajin Cherukayil) face some unexpected events which give a twist to the story and also change the pace of the film.

They are attacked by an unknown tribal gang that is in search of a person who killed their companion. It would be a spoiler if mentioned who the person is. So, I’m restraining from divulging any more information.

What happens to these seven men forms the crux of the movie.

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Gory scenes

Nalla Nilavulla Raathri has many cuss words and gory scenes. Also, it has a different pace in the first half and the second half.

In the first half, Achayan (Sai Kumar) plays a key role. But he is not found in the second half. Business deals and the infightings among the four friends and Kurien’s entry keep the first half engaging.

In the latter half, gruesome murders, explosions and violence keep the momentum. For instance, there is too much gore like hands getting torn apart by an explosion and a man getting killed in an acid attack.

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Not a complicated plot

The director, who is also the co-writer, has built a plot that is based on violence and business rivalry. It isn’t a complicated one.

However, at some points, the script is patchy, especially in the second half when a cat-and-mouse chase occurs inside the bungalow.

For making it a cinematic experience, director Murphy Devassy has given importance to the sound effects and visuals. That part has worked in theatres as there are a couple of thrilling moments in the movie.

Nevertheless, the main issue with Nalla Nilavulla Raathri is that there is no connection between the first half and the second half.

Maybe, it’s because the makers have plans to bring out a sequel, as hinted at the end.

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Performances

There aren’t any good women characters in Nalla Nilavulla Raathri. Kurien’s wife and Peter’s family are the only women in the movie.

The male characters, especially Rony David Raj, Jinu Joseph, and Binu Pappan, are good.

Sai Kumar as Achayan gets a good role with negative shades.

Baburaj, Chemban Vinod Jose, and Ganapathy are good, but they don’t get to do extraordinary things as the script didn’t demand so.

Ajay David Kachipally needs to be appreciated for his picturesque frames that captured the beauty of Idukki and the forests in Shimoga.

The scenes inside the bungalow are also shot well, especially the night sequence.

Final take

Nalla Nilavulla Raathri is a thriller that loses its pace at a point but manages to entertain the audience with its technical aspects.

(Views expressed here are personal.)