Movie Name : Identity
Release Date : January 24, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Tovino Thomas, Trisha Krishnan, Vinay Rai, Mandira Bedi, Aju Varghese, Archana Kavi, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Krisha Vijayachandran and others.
Directors : Anas Khan and Akhil Paul
Producers : Roy C.J., Kochumon, and Raju Malliath
Music Director : Jakes Bejoy
Cinematographer : Akhil George
Editor : Chaman Chakko
Related Links : Trailer
Released on January 2, 2025, Identity is a Malayalam action thriller starring Tovino Thomas, Trisha Krishnan, and Vinay Rai in significant roles. The film has now arrived in its Telugu version, 22 days after its original release. Let’s see how well it fares.
Story:
Amar Felix (Arjun Radhakrishnan) works as a cloth store manager with a sinister secret—he records women in his store’s trial rooms and blackmails them for money. His schemes come to an abrupt end when his warehouse is set ablaze by an unknown person. Alisha Abdul Salam (Trisha), a journalist, witnessed the murder. Allen Jacob (Vinay Rai), the investigator on the case, takes Alisha to DYSP Dinesh Chandran for protection. While staying there, Allen meets his neighbour, Haran Shankar (Tovino Thomas), a gifted sketch artist. Using Haran’s talent and Alisha’s input, Allen pieces together the mystery, only to discover that Haran himself is Amar’s killer. What follows is a series of revelations and twists that uncover the motives behind Haran’s actions, culminating in a gripping finale.
Plus Points:
Identity excels in delivering a suspenseful narrative filled with unpredictable twists. Directors Akhil Paul and Anas Khan deserve praise for crafting a story that keeps the audience engaged with its layered storytelling and intricate character arcs.
Tovino Thomas delivers a standout performance, portraying Haran with precision. The gradual unraveling of his character adds to the film’s intrigue. Vinay Rai impresses as the investigator, contributing significantly to the tension and drama.
Trisha Krishnan plays a crucial role in the story’s progression. Her performance is impactful, and she serves as a key element in uncovering the truth. The supporting cast also delivers fine performances, enhancing the overall narrative.
The film’s music by Jakes Bejoy is a highlight, effectively amplifying the suspense. The action sequences, particularly the climax, are well-designed and visually impressive.
Minus Points:
Crafting a thriller with plenty of twists and turns is a praiseworthy approach to keeping audiences engaged. Akhil Paul and Anas Khan succeed in this regard, but they overlook the importance of making the narrative more accessible within a limited runtime.
While the premise is intriguing, the slow-paced narration and the confusion caused by overly complex storytelling reduce its overall impact. A more streamlined and concise approach could have elevated the film into a truly engaging thriller.
The narrative demands the viewer’s full attention, as even a brief distraction can lead to confusion. While ambitious, this complexity could have been handled more clearly to ensure the story remained engaging.
Although the climax is well-executed, its unnecessarily prolonged nature makes it hard to sit through. A tighter and more focused ending would have enhanced the film’s appeal, ensuring it resonated better with audiences.
The roles played by Mandira Bedi and Adithya Menon feel underdeveloped, with their characters not being fully explored or utilised in the story.
Technical Aspects:
The technical quality of Identity is commendable. Akhil George’s cinematography captures the film’s dark and intense atmosphere beautifully, elevating the visual appeal. However, the editing by Chaman Chakko could have been sharper, as the lengthy runtime affects the film’s pacing.
Jakes Bejoy’s background score is exceptional, enhancing the tension and mood of the film. The production values are appreciative, with the makers ensuring a polished and visually striking presentation. The action choreography is decent and the Telugu dubbing is neat.
Verdict:
On the whole, Identity is an action thriller that offers suspense and tension but is weighed down by a slow pace, complex narrative, and extended runtime. While Tovino Thomas and Vinay Rai deliver decent performances, and the film has moments that engage the audience, its overly intricate storytelling and pacing issues may not resonate with everyone. If you enjoy action thrillers that demand patience and focus, Identity is watchable, but it falls short of being a truly captivating experience. Keep your expectations low if you wish to watch it.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team