In a cinematic landscape that rarely touches the intersection of crime, science, and social sensitivity, Others arrives with a refreshing premise and a willingness to provoke discussion. Director Abin Hariharan attempts to weave a thriller rooted in empathy, stigma, and the ethical greys of modern medical practices. The ambition is unmistakable, and for a significant portion of the film, the intent shines brighter than its inconsistencies.
The narrative opens on a gripping note: a staged highway accident that spirals into a fatal explosion, claiming four lives. It is an arresting beginning, one that promises a gritty investigative drama. Aditya Madhavan, making his debut as Assistant Commissioner Madhav, shoulders the responsibility of leading the case. His investigation, initially intriguing, takes him into orphanages and IVF clinics, uncovering a disturbing network of exploitation that operates beneath the surface of society. The film’s core revelation in the final act is undoubtedly its strongest stretch — layered, emotional, and morally provocative.
Gouri Kishan, playing an IVF specialist, emerges as the emotional anchor of the film. Her performance is tender yet compelling, lending dignity to a narrative that often teeters on uneven ground. The antagonist’s arc, written with the intention of humanising a character traditionally vilified on screen, is bold on paper. While the execution lacks finesse, the attempt to approach the character with nuance deserves acknowledgment in an industry that typically seeks clear moral binaries.
Where Others falters, however, is in its tonality. The inclusion of comedic interludes and a romantic subplot dilutes the intensity of the investigative thread and stands at odds with the film’s thematic seriousness. Several stretches of the screenplay lean on convenient logic, undermining the credibility of the case being built. These dips, though not fatal, disconnect the viewer from the urgency of the narrative.
Technically, Others is on firmer ground. Ghibran’s background score adds a pulse to the film, often compensating for the screenplay’s wavering focus. Visually, the film maintains a consistent mood, supported by competent cinematography and production design that enhance its thriller grammar.
Others is, at its heart, a film with a conscience. It seeks to begin a conversation rather than provide a polished cinematic product, and that choice is both its strength and its shortfall. With a tighter script and a more disciplined approach to tone, the film could have resonated with greater force. Even so, it remains a commendable debut for Aditya Madhavan and a work of intent for Abin Hariharan — one that stumbles, but not without leaving a mark.
Rating: 3.5/5
A relevant, sincere, and musically enriched thriller that engages, even if unevenly.
suresh 