Ratsasan

Ratsasan, gripping and intense, is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language psychological horror-thriller, starring Vishnu Vishal, Amala Paul, and Radha Ravi. The film is directed by Ram Kumar and produced by G. Dilli Babu, whose blockbuster creations have always managed to take the Tamil cinema industry a notch higher.

Ratsasan catapults the viewers into a dark world of heinous crimes and psychological terror. Yet, what sets it apart is that its fictional universe is not one of supernatural elements or dystopian societies, rather it centres around the gritty realities of everyday life, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, marvelling at the human psyche.

The primary narrator of the film is Arun (played by Vishnu Vishal), an aspiring filmmaker with brilliant ideas for a thriller based on a psychotic murderer. The twist in the tale comes when, due to circumstances, Arun is forced to give up his dream of becoming a film director and despondently joins the police force as a sub-inspector. His drudgery is suddenly punctuated by a spate of gruesome murders, where the victims are young schoolgirls. The chilling similarities between Arun's movie script and the real-life happenings stun him, as he sees his unrealised movie turning into a horrifying reality.

As one of the few police officers who see a pattern to these killings, Arun steps into a terrifying cat-and-mouse chase with the unrelenting serial killer, like a pawn in his grisly game. He teams up with Viji (Amala Paul), a high school teacher who becomes an integral part of Arun's pursuit.

Director Ram Kumar unveils the plot layer by layer, pulling the audience deeper into the world of Ratsasan. The film seamlessly merges elements of psychological horror, police procedural, and whodunit genres, creating an overwhelming atmosphere of threat and suspense that would excite any horror or thriller enthusiast.

Vishnu Vishal, a well-established actor in the Tamil film industry, delivers a riveting performance as the tormented Arun, grappling with his personal disappointments and professional albatross of catching the cold-blooded serial killer. It's a layered role that Vishnu executes with an astounding depth of emotion and precision.

Paired opposite him, Amala Paul breathes life into the character of Viji, a high school teacher in a role that is both charming and empathetic. Radha Ravi, a legendary name in the Tamil film industry, lends his brilliant acting chops playing a pivotal role adding more depth to the narrative.

The film's score plays an integral part in setting the mood. The goosebumps-inducing background score composed by Ghibran heightens the tension, holding the audience in its grip from start to end. The cinematography by P.V. Sankar creates a hauntingly beautiful and foreboding setup using a distinct palette of colours and specific camera angles to enhance the overall dread and anxiety of the storyline. The adept editing by San Lokesh adds to the suspenseful storytelling, heightening the pace and intensity of the film.

'Ratsasan' is not just a rollercoaster ride of horror and suspense but is also a deeply psychological exploration of a deranged mind. It's the kind of film that not just entertains but also forces its viewers to think about the nature of its antagonist, the serial killer, and reflect upon what depths the human mind can sink to.

In conclusion, Ratsasan is a dark labyrinth of the human psyche, cleverly camouflaged as a police drama. It skilfully steers clear of the beaten path of traditional horror movies, choosing instead to delve into the darkness of the human mind and the multitude of forms evil can take. While it offers all the tension and fear expected from a thriller, it also delves deep into the human condition and society at large resulting in a thought-provoking piece of cinema. It's a must-watch movie for all lovers of the thriller genre.