Maareesan Movie Review: Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu Shine in Netflix Thriller

Maareesan, now streaming on Netflix from August 22, 2025, brings together Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu after their earlier collaboration in Maamannan. The film has been released in both Tamil and Telugu, creating a buzz among audiences. In this review, we’ll explore how the movie fares, highlighting performances, strengths, and shortcomings.

Storyline and Premise

At its heart, Maareesan revolves around Daya (Fahadh Faasil), a thief whose life takes a turn when he crosses paths with Velayudham (Vadivelu). During a robbery attempt, Daya encounters Velayudham, who asks him to drop him at a bus station. Daya agrees, but only in exchange for money. Soon, Daya discovers that Velayudham suffers from Alzheimer’s and hatches a plan to exploit him.

But the journey between these two men is far from simple. As layers of truth unfold, the audience is left questioning: Is Velayudham truly a helpless patient, or is there more to him? Is Daya heartless, or does he hide a compassionate side? The suspense builds steadily, keeping viewers intrigued until the mid-point revelation.

Performances that Stand Out

Vadivelu, best known for his comic timing, surprises audiences with a deeply emotional performance. His portrayal of an Alzheimer’s patient is both moving and controlled, pulling viewers into his struggles. Later in the film, when his character takes a darker turn, Vadivelu shines again, proving his versatility.

Fahadh Faasil, though not the central focus, makes a mark with his layered performance. His Daya is unpredictable—sometimes harsh, sometimes tender—and his chemistry with Vadivelu is one of the film’s highlights. Their dialogues and exchanges bring the story alive, giving the film a strong emotional base.

Supporting roles, though limited, add value. Sithara impresses in a small but effective role, and Vivek Prasanna does justice to his part. However, Kovai Sarala’s role as an Assistant Commissioner feels underutilized.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The biggest strength of Maareesan lies in its initial setup. What appears to be a simple road story evolves into a suspenseful drama with unexpected turns. The emotional depth in the first half works well, building curiosity about the characters’ real intentions.

However, the film stumbles in the second half. Once the main twist is revealed, the narrative loses its grip. The pacing slows down, with certain scenes stretching unnecessarily. Instead of escalating tension, the story drags, making the runtime feel longer than needed. Additional subplots or secondary twists could have added more intrigue.

Songs in the middle of a thriller disrupt the flow, further reducing the impact. While the first half holds attention, the second half struggles to sustain it.

Technical Aspects

On the technical front, the film delivers a mixed bag. Sudheesh Sankar’s direction works well in the beginning but falters later, unable to maintain the same energy. V. Krishna Moorthy’s writing captures interest early on but lacks sharpness in the climax.

Kalaiselvan Sivaji’s cinematography is functional but not extraordinary. Editing by Sreejith Sarang could have been crisper, especially in the slower portions. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score adds some intensity, but the songs feel misplaced. The overall production values, however, match the tone of the story.