Ekō (2025) REVIEW ft. Vineeth, Binu, and Sandeep

When Ekō opened in theaters last week, I walked in expecting another solid mystery. What I got was something far more layered—a film that doesn’t just tell a story but makes you work to understand it. Director Dinjith Ayyathan and writer Bahul Ramesh have created their most challenging work yet.

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The film stars Sandeep Pradeep as Peeyoos, alongside Vineeth, Binu Pappu, Narain, and newcomer Biana Momin. Set in Kerala’s Idukki hills, it wraps up the Animal Trilogy with a tale about a missing dog breeder named Kuriachan. The story jumps through time, revealing secrets buried since World War II.

A Mystery That Keeps Shifting

The plot centers on Kuriachan, a man everyone wants dead but nobody can find. His elderly wife Mlaathi lives in fog-covered hills with her helper Peeyoos. Different people show up asking questions, each with contradicting stories about who Kuriachan really was.

I appreciated how the film doesn’t rush explanations. Scenes unfold slowly, letting the atmosphere do much of the storytelling. The multiple timelines could confuse viewers initially, but they build toward reveals that hit hard. The connection to rare Malaysian dogs adds another dimension beyond simple thriller mechanics.

Performances That Linger

Sandeep Pradeep delivers his strongest work yet. His Peeyoos moves through scenes with quiet intensity that explodes during physical moments. I noticed how he makes small choices—a glance, a pause—that suggest hidden depths. The fight sequences show him channeling something primal that matches the film’s themes.

Biana Momin impressed me with her restrained performance as Mlaathi. She carries decades of history in her expressions without ever overplaying. When her character finally shows vulnerability, those moments earned genuine emotion from me. The supporting cast, especially Vineeth and Narain, bring weight to every scene.

Saurabh Sachdeva as Kuriachan left me conflicted. Everyone talks about this man with such passion—fear, love, hatred—but when we finally see him, something doesn’t quite connect. Maybe that’s intentional, showing how myths rarely match reality. Still, I wanted more from those flashback scenes.

Technical Brilliance

Bahul Ramesh’s camera work creates magic here. The misty hills feel both beautiful and threatening. Every shot feels carefully composed yet natural. I found myself paying attention to backgrounds, knowing details might matter later. The fog works as both atmosphere and narrative device.

Mujeeb Majeed’s music does something special—it tells the story alongside the visuals rather than just supporting them. The score builds tension in ways that dialogue never could. I noticed how silence gets used as powerfully as sound, creating space for viewers to breathe and think.

The editing by Sooraj E.S. deserves recognition. Jumping between timelines could have created mess, but everything flows naturally. The second half particularly tightens up, moving faster while still landing emotional beats. That climax sequence combines technical precision with raw feeling.

Where It Tests Patience

The first hour moves slowly. I understood the deliberate pacing, but felt it might lose viewers expecting quicker payoffs. The story takes its time establishing mood before revealing what’s really happening. That’s a choice, not a flaw, but one that won’t work for everyone.

Dialogue gets heavy at points. Long conversations filled subtitles with text that sometimes distracted from visuals. A few scenes would have worked better with fewer words. The film occasionally explains things that images already showed us clearly.

The complexity might frustrate casual viewers. Multiple characters with unclear motives, shifting timelines, and deliberate ambiguity create a challenging viewing experience. I enjoyed piecing together the puzzle, but overheard complaints afterward from people who felt confused or lost.

What Critics Are Saying

The Week rated it 5/5, calling the mystery storytelling outstanding and better than their previous hit. They praised how it challenges expectations at every turn. Hollywood Reporter India highlighted the atmospheric craft while noting verbose dialogue might overwhelm some viewers.

Onmanorama appreciated the fresh take on human-animal relationships and the powerful climax. Early IMDB ratings sit at 9.3, with viewers praising the screenplay’s complexity and technical execution. Social media reactions show strong enthusiasm, though some found the pacing too slow.

The film clearly divides audiences. Those seeking straightforward entertainment might struggle. Viewers wanting challenging, artistic cinema seem deeply satisfied. Most agree the second half rewards patience shown during the setup.

My Final Take

Rating: 4.5/5

Ekō represents ambitious filmmaking that trusts its audience. The stunning visuals, haunting music, and layered performances create something memorable. Sandeep Pradeep and Biana Momin deliver career-defining work. The complex structure and slow burn won’t suit everyone, but I found myself thinking about it days later—always a sign of meaningful cinema.

This film demands theatrical viewing. The cinematography needs a big screen, and the sound design requires proper speakers. It’s not easy entertainment, but it’s rewarding for those willing to engage fully with what it offers.