Director Prem Anand’s DD Next Level arrives with the weight of expectation, particularly after the surprising success of DD Returns. As someone who closely follows the evolution of Tamil comedy-horror films, I was genuinely curious to see how this new chapter would push the franchise forward. What I encountered was a film brimming with an intriguing premise yet constantly battling the clichés it tries so hard to outrun.
A Familiar Ghost Story Wrapped in a New Meta Angle
At its surface, DD Next Level fits neatly into the familiar mould of Tamil ghost cinema. As I reflected on the narrative, I couldn’t help noticing that the film begins with the age-old template: an abandoned bungalow, a group of people walking into it for no logical reason, a vengeful ghost, a tragic flashback, and the eventual race for survival. I’ve seen this storyline “a hundred thousand times,” and this film knows it too.
But Prem Anand attempts to “joint” an additional layer onto the beaten path – a meta twist that actually had the potential to take the film into far more inventive territory. Here, the hero is a sharp-tongued movie reviewer, someone who watches bad films for a living and mercilessly thrashes them online. The setup fascinated me, especially when we meet a ghost who specifically wants revenge on reviewers.
This spirit traps the protagonist and his family inside a cinema hall and then pushes them into the film playing on the screen, taunting him: “You trash all movies, right? Now see what I do to you.”
It’s a deliciously self-aware idea, one that hints at commentary about criticism, audience expectations, and the filmmaking process itself. If the film had ridden entirely on this meta wave, I believe it could have carved a refreshing space for itself.
But once the characters enter the movie-within-the-movie, the narrative falls right back into generic territory. It becomes the same routine ghost film the opening satire seems determined to mock. The haunted bungalow follows, the logic evaporates, and the plot becomes circular. I felt the spark of creativity slipping away the farther the film moved from its central high-concept idea.
Cinema Inside Cinema – A Double-Edged Experiment
Tamil cinema has historically struggled with “cinema inside cinema” structures, and DD Next Level unfortunately follows that trend. The film begins cracking jokes based on filmmaking technicalities – jokes that would land perfectly for those of us familiar with the craft, but may leave the average viewer puzzled.
For instance, near the climax, Motta Rajendran breaks into a hysterical commentary when the end credits roll: “Why did they even put the crane operator’s name?” “Why even put the dishwashing person’s name?”
I’ll admit it – I laughed, because I work around cinema and understand how hilariously unnecessary those details can appear in a comedic context. But I also knew instantly that this humour wouldn’t resonate universally. The mainstream audience may not recognise these technical references, making large segments of comedy feel exclusionary.
This is the biggest conflict of the film: the jokes exist for industry insiders, not for the masses the film is actually targeting. And when a comedy can’t reach its core audience, the disconnect becomes painfully visible.
Characterisation That Feels Underdeveloped
One of the strengths of DD Returns was its ability to give every character – even the tiniest supporting role – a defined identity and purpose. That clarity powered the film’s comedy.
In DD Next Level, however, the characters seem oddly hollow.
Santhanam, usually the cornerstone of laughter in his films, barely gets space to perform organic comedy. His role as the critic could have been layered, sharp, even self-deprecating, but it ends up strangely subdued. The writing doesn’t shape him in a way that supports either the humour or the emotional beats of the plot.
The ghost, played by Selvaraghavan, suffers an even greater setback – his motivations feel muddled. Why exactly is he targeting reviewers? What personal grievance drives his terror? The film never truly clarifies this, which dulls the impact of what should have been a strong antagonist.
The side characters also drift through the narrative without memorable definition. Their attempts at comedy rarely land because their personalities are barely sketched. Without identifiable quirks, their jokes feel random rather than rooted in character.
The Comedy: Sporadic Sparks but No Blaze
Despite its shortcomings, the film does offer a handful of amusing moments. The rat comedy, the lunar-eclipse segment, and the subtitle gag elicited small, scattered laughs from me. Mottai Rajendran, Maaran and Kingsley manage to salvage portions of the humour with their naturally funny presence.
But the problem lies in consistency. DD Next Level tries relentlessly to be funny. Scene after scene is staged for laughs, yet I never found myself laughing loudly even once. The effort to generate humour is visible, but the payoff rarely arrives.
In a comedy, strained humour feels heavier than silence, and that weight becomes noticeable quickly.
Technical Merits That Outshine the Screenplay
While the writing falters, the film’s technical quality stands out. The making is polished, the production design suits the horror-comedy tone, and the cinematography gives the haunted settings an energetic visual language.
I particularly enjoyed the “Kissa 47” song. It beautifully encapsulates the underlying story, and its melodic appeal stays with you. The only frustration I had was that the song wasn’t integrated more meaningfully into the narrative – an opportunity missed.
A Film of Good Intentions and Unmet Potential
When I look back at DD Next Level, I see a film that could have been a delightful roller coaster. The premise is fresh, the idea of a ghost targeting harsh reviewers is brilliant, and the setup of being dragged into a film offers countless comedic possibilities.
But the execution simply doesn’t rise to match its ambition. The storytelling repeatedly slips into formula, the comedy rarely lands with full effect, and the meta-humour struggles to communicate with a wide audience.
I walked in with expectations shaped by DD Returns – a film that blended chaos, logic, and character with impressive balance. Unfortunately, this sequel doesn’t manage to hit those marks.
There are scattered laughs, a few clever lines, and a handful of engaging moments, but nothing that truly elevates the experience to the “next level.”
Rating: 2.5/5
A promising idea weighed down by generic execution, inconsistent comedy, and underdeveloped characters. Fans of Santhanam may find a few enjoyable bits, but as a complete film, DD Next Level struggles to deliver the laughter it promises.
