Even after all these years and countless suspense thrillers, Drishyam remains in a league of its own. Malayali audiences have been eagerly waiting for the third chapter in Georgekutty’s story, and Jeethu Joseph delivers a satisfying, emotionally charged thriller that lives up to the legacy.
What makes Drishyam 3 special is how Jeethu Joseph takes familiar characters and situations and still manages to create fresh tension and unexpected turns. Everyone knows Georgekutty, Rani, Anju, Anu, and the Prabhakar family. We already know what happened to Varun Prabhakar and the extreme measures Georgekutty took to protect his family. Yet, the director succeeds in building new layers of suspense around these same people. The final 40 minutes are particularly gripping — edge-of-the-seat stuff that had audiences clapping in theatres.
Compared to the OTT-released Drishyam 2, this third instalment feels more solid and better structured. The film begins slowly, much like the previous entries, carefully re-establishing the lives of the characters. Thirteen years after the original, Georgekutty — the simple, fourth-standard cable TV operator who loves cinema — has evolved. He now owns a theatre, but his deep love for films and his sharp survival instincts remain intact.
The story is set six to seven years after Varun Prabhakar’s disappearance. The police have largely moved on from the case, but Georgekutty knows his past can return to haunt him at any moment. He lives cautiously, always alert. While his family moves forward with marriages and higher studies, the shadow of the past lingers. The first half maintains a steady, slow rhythm before delivering a shocking punch just before the interval.
From then on, the film shifts gears dramatically. What follows is pure tension as Georgekutty once again outsmarts threats with his ordinary intelligence and extraordinary luck. Jeethu Joseph once again proves why he is one of the finest craftsmen of suspense in Malayalam cinema. Though the script could have been tighter in places, the overall execution keeps you hooked.
At 159 minutes, the film is lengthy, but technical aspects like Sathish Kurup’s cinematography and Anil Johnson’s background score blend smoothly without overpowering the narrative.
Mohanlal is the soul of Drishyam 3. He doesn’t just play Georgekutty — he becomes him. Every emotion, every tear, every calculated move feels completely authentic. You forget you’re watching Mohanlal; you only see Georgekutty. His performance gives the film its emotional backbone. Meena, Ansiba, and Esther as the family deliver strong support, while Siddique, Asha Sharath, and Murali Gopy return effectively in their roles. A surprise character introduction just before the interval adds a whole new dimension to the story.
Jeethu Joseph calls it a “family emotional thriller,” and that description fits perfectly. He also wisely requested audiences not to reveal spoilers. In an era where audience tastes have changed significantly since the first Drishyam, the director has adapted well while staying true to the franchise’s core.
The film ends on a strong note that clearly leaves the door open for Drishyam 4. Just when Georgekutty thinks it’s all over, we’re reminded that for him, the game never truly ends.
Verdict: Drishyam 3 is a worthy addition to one of Malayalam cinema’s most loved franchises. It may not reach the dizzying heights of the first film, but it still delivers a solid, engaging, and emotionally satisfying thriller experience. Mohanlal and Jeethu Joseph once again prove that Georgekutty’s story is far from over.
