10 Great Malayalam Films That Challenge Perspectives

A good film is something which all of a sudden makes you feel alive: one that grips your heart with moving stories, compels reflections in your conscience, or at least gives you a new perspective on life. Prepare to be touched and inspired!

Mollywood, the name associated with the Malayalam film industry, based in Kerala, has gradually gained domestic and international acceptance of the message-oriented and cinematic thought-provoking films. Here are some of the best, carefully picked great Malayalam films that will make you think.

Great Malayalam Films: Kishkindha Kaandam (2024)

One of the latest released Malayalam films, Kishkindha Kaandam, discusses the complexities of human nature through narration of several themes, including fear of the unknown and superstition.

When an ex-serviceman’s service gun goes missing, his family finds themselves facing their own prejudices and biases on this journey to search for his gun through mysterious happenings in the forest reserve. The subject matter reminds one of how any unknown may well be a source of fear for any human being.

In a way, this Malayalam film has straddled the separation between humans and animals by blurring the lines between species and driving the characters to reconsider their connection with nature.

The Goat Life (2024)

The Goat Life is a stark contrast to that of filmic conventions of foreign adventures with glamorised escapades. The film depicts the story of Najeeb, a man who leaves his home in Kerala for the gulf with aspirations to build a better life for his family but finds himself trafficked and enslaved in the vast desert, herding goats.

The depiction of a life of hardship, isolation, and constant fear of death with unflinching realism focused on the physical and psychological struggles of its protagonist, lets the audience observe, or rather, dare not shy away from the visual presentation of human existence and the need to survive, making way for a very thought-provoking experience.

Great Malayalam Films: Ullozhukku (2024)

Ullozhukku, which is set against the rain-soaked backdrops of Kerala, regarding personal wants versus social pressures and emotional turmoil. It is the story of a woman who lives in a marriage under pressure from family but is stuck with the reality of her husband’s illness, an unwanted pregnancy, and her desire for freedom, experiencing strong emotional turmoil and denial, as the floodgates spill difficult truths onto the surface. Each scene depicts the burden of secrecy and confrontation as it makes relationships within this close-knit community complex.

The movie challenges conventional notions of duty, love, and redemption with this multilayered storyline of its characters. The strictly visual description of the setting only adds to the tension of each moment. Praised for its subtle but rich storytelling, this movie has left a long-lasting impression on viewers, encouraging reflection over the silent struggles people face beneath the surface of everyday life.

Great Malayalam Films: Iratta (2023)

Encouraging the viewers, a deeper contemplation than surface level, Iratta, one of the greatest Malayalam films, stands out in the cluster of thrillers because it tries to penetrate and dissect the human facet, especially that concerning psychological trauma. The film revolves around the lives of identical twins with a shared past but with different realities. It will force anyone who watches this movie to question reality and memory and the subjective understanding of truth.

The movie probes themes like betrayal, guilt, and unclear truth and the heart-thumping psychological suspense between the twins’ divergent perceptions and the mystifying phenomena surrounding them, providing viewers a cinematic experience that makes them think instead of sitting back to enjoy the thrills.

Great Malayalam Films: Joji (2021)

Inspired by William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, this Malayalam film, Joji, stands apart from most psychological thrillers by rejecting the traditional hero-villain narrative and making use of the gradual moral decay of its protagonist, reflecting on how ambition and greed manifest within the sensitive human psyche.

The slow-burning narrative of the film gives viewers an opportunity to observe the downward spiral of Joji into darkness, as it gradually unfolds the complexities of his character and his downfall due to the social pressures. Subtle social commentary on the pursuit of success and material wealth being the main theme, the movie becomes a thought-provoking, memorable experience in cinema.

Great Malayalam Films: Sara’s (2021)

Sara’s is a light-hearted Malayalam film drama that is full of thought-provoking ideas on personal choice, marriage, and motherhood. This film discusses issues like bodily autonomy, professional aspiration, and conflicts between individual desire and social norms with exactly what viewers need, sarcasm, wit, and charm.

The movie revolves around the life of an aspiring filmmaker, Sara, who has always been clear and adamant about not wanting to have children. However, things take a downward spiral when she gets pregnant, and the societal expectations and pressures about starting a family start taking her further away from her ambitions.

Great Malayalam Films: The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)

What is unique in this film as opposed to most cinematic portrayal of domestic life is that it relentlessly presents the unglamorous yet demanding activities of women in traditional Indian homes. The mundane routine of the protagonist of the film constantly challenges the viewer to reevaluate the labour entailed in maintaining a household and the emotional intensity in its toll.

Subtly yet so powerfully, the film speaks about the gender roles and patriarchal structures that lie beneath. It sheds light on women’s hidden work and ordeals. This is bound to make viewers’ question societally accepted normative standards and call for greater equality and respect towards women.

Great Malayalam Films: Kappela (2020)

Kappela stands out as a different kind of Malayalam romantic comedy film in that it gives insight into understanding the depth of young love and all its complexities. The characters, in themselves, have been deep and so authentic with their struggles that it feels like you are in there, too.

In the present world, where you can’t help but judge a book by its cover, this movie conveys that all that glitters is not gold. The sheer subtleness of comedy and drama beautifully merges, making this film heart-warming and extremely riveting at the same time. And it is because of that subtle edge that the film attracts abundant laughter and delves into something more profound- something like friendship, self-discovery, and burgeoning problems of life. Kappela is that refreshing film that reminds us of the power of human connection and cherishing simple moments of life.

Great Malayalam Films: C U Soon (2020)

C U Soon is different from the run-of-the-mill thriller films because technology can be both a medium of the story and the core theme. The film is entirely videoconferencing-based and has the very interesting quality of giving viewers an immersive experience with an unprecedented twist on reconsidering the possibility of filmmaking.

Beyond technical innovation, CU Soon explores thought-provoking themes such as the power of technology, how much digital boundaries blend with the physical world, and the consequences of unchecked online activity. Still, suspenseful plots and many fine performances make this film a memorable and stimulating cinematic experience.

Kumbalangi Nights (2019)

Kumbalangi Nights stands alone as distinguished above most family dramas in its detailed view of destructive relationships and the complexity of family dynamics. These themes deal appropriately with the property of masculinity, a toxic relationship, and unchecked anger’s repercussions, making the film thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

It brings out an entirely fresh perspective to tradition-related remarks on family and masculinity in the lives of four brothers and their relationships with each other and the females in their lives. The dark humour and suspenseful aspects only enhance the narrative further, making it an unforgettable film.

The influence of Malayalam films is destined to continue to grow along with its popularity, with films that stand out for their ability to encapsulate holistic creativity in storytelling, social relevance, and artistic excellence, as epitomised by the experiences of Malayalam cinema that are coveted worldwide.