Patriot
The brief
Mahesh Narayanan turns a tech whistleblower story into a sprawling three-hour chase thriller that feels like a Malayalam remake of *The Fugitive* with smartphones and corruption instead of one-armed men. The powerhouse cast of Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Fahadh Faasil elevates what could have been a standard cat-and-mouse game, with each actor bringing their A-game to scenes that crackle with paranoia and political intrigue. At nearly three hours, it demands patience, but Narayanan keeps the pacing surprisingly taut for a film this ambitious in scope. Perfect for fans of *Take Off* or anyone who enjoys their action movies with actual brains and a healthy distrust of authority.
The verdict
If you love intelligent action thrillers with stellar performances and don't mind investing three hours in a tech-paranoia chase featuring Malayalam cinema's biggest stars, this is essential viewing. If you're looking for quick entertainment or get impatient with lengthy runtimes, skip this demanding but rewarding political thriller.
Watch with
- 👤 Solo viewers who enjoy complex political thrillers
- 👥 Friends who appreciate Malayalam cinema
- ⚠️ Avoid if you need lighter entertainment
Heads up
- Political corruption and surveillance themes (moderate)
- Chase sequences with moderate violence (moderate)
- Intense paranoia and conspiracy elements (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- Mahesh Narayanan
- Cast
- Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi, Zarin Shihab
Official synopsis
When a Malayali DRW analyst tries to expose a corrupt regional politician from Kerala and his malpractices regarding spyware, he goes on the run, becomes a vlogger, and must clear his name of the false allegations levelled against him.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War (2026)
Both feature analysts uncovering corruption while being hunted by powerful enemies.
Total runtime: 2h 57m + 1h 45m = 4h 42m
