When I walked into the theatre for today’s theatre-mass program, I honestly did not expect Eko to be the kind of film that would stay with me long after the credits rolled. Directed by Dinjith Ayyathani, this Malayalam mystery-thriller positions itself quietly at first, only to grow louder and more compelling as its narrative layers begin to unfold. From the opening frame, I found myself transported into the misty, mysterious terrain of Kaattukunnu – a mountain village resting on the Karnataka–Kerala border – the very place where the story begins when Vineeth, a dog lover and researcher, arrives with a very specific purpose.
Vineeth’s arrival is not accidental. He has travelled all the way to Kaattukunnu to meet a man named Kuriyachan, who, according to local folklore and hushed whispers, possesses an original Malaysian dog breed – a breed so rare that it draws curiosity from canine enthusiasts like Vineeth. His motive, at least on the surface, is simple: to study this breed, to observe its origin, and to document details about it. But in a village where everyone seems to speak of Kuriyachan with a legendary tone – “Do you know what kind of person he is? Do you even know who you’re dealing with?” – I could sense from early on that Eko was not going to be a straightforward film about an exotic dog.
Kuriyachan, as the villagers reveal, is not just an ordinary man living in isolation. He is a criminal wanted by the Kerala police. So the real question for me as a viewer was the same question the film keeps teasing: Has Vineeth truly come only to research a rare dog breed? Or has he stepped into Kaattukunnu for reasons he is not openly sharing? And what exactly is the truth behind this mysterious, feared man called Kuriyachan? These questions become the spine of the film’s narrative, and I appreciated that the screenplay smartly avoids revealing too much too early. The film understands the value of silence and suspense. Revealing anything more than this would genuinely spoil the experience, and that is why the narration stops exactly where it should.
A Reminder of Malayalam Cinema’s Creative Stamina
Once the film ended, a single thought echoed in my mind – a thought that I believe many Indian audiences have quietly had in recent years. Malayalam cinema, with its small budgets and small locations, continues to produce films with striking originality and fearless storytelling. For a while now, some of us have joked (half hopefully, half grudgingly) that one day their “stock” might run out. That maybe, finally, they would drop down to our level, and our industries could at least claim to be on equal footing in terms of narrative creativity. If we couldn’t rise to their level, perhaps they would come down to ours.
But Eko crushes that hope with confidence.
This film, in many ways, feels like Malayalam cinema throwing a stone at our expectations and then calmly walking away. The sheer idea behind Eko left me stunned. How did they even come up with such a premise? And more importantly, how did they manage to execute it with such precision? The surprise this film offers is not just in the plot twist or climax, but in the entire attempt – a reminder that, far from running out of ideas, the industry seems to be gearing up for a second round of reinvention.
Technical Excellence That Elevates the Mystery
One of the reasons Eko works so effectively is its technical richness. The location choices are breathtaking – Kaattukunnu becomes a character in itself, with its foggy slopes, narrow passages, and isolated homes giving the narrative a natural sense of unease. The camera work complements this atmosphere beautifully. The cinematography is crisp and immersive, frequently making me feel like I was walking through the village with Vineeth.
The music deserves special mention. It enhances tension without overwhelming the scenes, staying subtle yet impactful. The casting is another standout aspect. Every actor fits the film’s tone, but the Malaysian grandma in particular – what incredible casting that was. Her presence is striking, and her performance is unexpectedly powerful.
Dialogue and dialogue delivery remain consistently strong throughout. And the dogs – about 10–20 of them appear in the film – are handled with surprising discipline. Managing that many animals on set is no small task, yet the team makes it all look seamless. From start to finish, the film maintains a “what next, what next?” momentum that rarely slips. Until the final twist lands, the grip remains impressively tight.
A Climax That Leaves Questions – But Still Satisfies
What impressed me further is that Eko ends with unanswered questions, intentionally so. Instead of spoon-feeding solutions, it invites viewers to interpret, analyze, and fill in the narrative gaps on their own. And yet, despite these open ends, the film feels fully complete. The experience is not diminished by the ambiguity; instead, it lingers in the mind, prompting reflection. As a mystery thriller, this is exactly what it should do.
Another strong Malayalam mystery thriller has arrived, and fans of the genre can confidently watch it with their families. It’s gripping without being graphic, bold without being loud, and intelligent without being confusing.
Final Verdict
Eko is a sharp, atmospheric, and surprisingly powerful mystery thriller driven by inventive storytelling and superb execution. I walked in expecting a simple regional film – I walked out impressed by how confidently it outperformed that expectation.
Rating: 4/5
