Jeethu Joseph’s Latest Experiment
Acclaimed filmmaker Jeethu Joseph, best known for the Drishyam franchise, returns with Mirage, a Malayalam thriller starring Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali.
Expectations were naturally high, but the film leaves viewers with mixed feelings. While it is packed with endless twists and red herrings, the lack of emotional depth and genuine suspense makes it less impactful than Joseph’s earlier masterpieces.
Mirage Story
Mirage begins on a promising note with intriguing events surrounding mysterious characters, especially Kiran (Hakim Shahjahan). The narrative sets up disappearances, suspicious deaths, and shadowy motives that could have delivered a gripping thriller.
However, as the film unfolds, the twists seem more mechanical than meaningful, often diluting the emotional connection with the audience.
Performances by Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali are solid, with both actors giving weight to their roles despite the undercooked script.
Sateesh Kurup’s cinematography adds a slick visual appeal, while the music and sound design succeed in parts. Unfortunately, over-explained dialogues and dramatic pauses sometimes reduce the intended tension.