Release Date: January 02, 2026
Streaming Platform: Netflix
123Telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Actors: Sandeep Pradeep, Vineeth, Narine, Binu Pappu, Ashokan and others
Director: Dinjit Ayyathan
Producer: MRK Jayaram
Music Director: Mujeeb Majeed
Cinematographer: Bahul Ramesh
Editor: Suraj E.S
Related Links: Trailer
The Malayalam mystery thriller movie ‘Echo’ is currently streaming on popular OTT platform Netflix. And let’s see how much this movie impressed the audience in this review.
Story:
The story is set in Kattukunnu, a forest region of Kerala. Mlathi (Biana Momin) alias Soi from Malaysia lives alone. Piyush (Sandeep Pradeep), appointed by her sons, takes the responsibility of looking after her. He is accompanied by trained dogs of Malaysian breed. Meanwhile, many search for Kuriachan (Saurabh Sachdev), a dog breeder who went missing years ago after being involved in a criminal case. His close friend Mohan Potan (Vineeth) is also one of those who try to trace him. Kuriachan is suspected to be hiding somewhere in the forest with the help of his trained dogs, but no one knows his whereabouts. Why are so many people looking for the original Kuriachan? What role do pews and dogs have in this? How is a woman from Malaysia living alone in the forests of Kerala? The story of this film is the answer to the questions.
Plus Points:
‘Echo’ is a film that uses the atmosphere as a weapon and drives the mystery. Writer Bahul Ramesh and director Dinjit Ayyathan have worked together to slowly but surely drive the story towards suspense with the silence of the forest, the lonely house, the presence of the dogs, the uneasy moods created throughout. The movie succeeds in making you feel the fear without showing it.
Although the basic plot of Katha Taloo seems very simple, the real life of it is the non-linear narrative style, the screenplay that is not straightforward but layered. Despite the slow burn tone, each scene keeps the viewer curious as to what will happen next.
The Malaysian themed scenes, the episodes that drench Kuriachan-Soi’s past, and the gradually unfolding climax layers at the end add strength to the story. The background score plays a vital role in this entire journey, heightening the tension and making the audience fully immersed in the story.
In terms of actors, Sandeep Pradeep impresses with a moderate and restrained performance as the underdog. Though the dialogues are few, Biana Momin conveys emotions strongly with her gestures. While Vineeth brings naturalness to his role, Narayan looks believable in the role of the investigating officer. Other actors also contributed well to the required extent of the story.
Minus Points:
Due to the non-linear narrative style and the narration from different points of view, the first half of the film is likely to feel a bit confusing. The pace seems slow at some places due to the subplots running parallel at the same time. It demands patience from the viewer to understand each layer of the story.
At the same time, the director deliberately leaves many questions unanswered. Does Kuriachan really exist? Is he alive? He does not show direct evidence on such issues. As he is not seen after going into the forest, the climax also gives only conceptual meaning without giving a definite conclusion. It is likely to be somewhat unsatisfying for audiences expecting a crisp, clear ending.
Technical Department:
Bahul Ramesh’s writing is the real strength of this movie. The way the suspense is sustained by relying on the atmosphere and narrative structure rather than the dialogues is commendable. The director Dinjit Ayyathan has also screened this script with a lot of control, not too much. With Bahul Ramesh handling the responsibility of cinematography himself, it is clear what to show and how to express what emotion in each frame. The visuals strongly sustain the dark and mysterious mood the entire film needs. The background score by Mujeeb Majeed adds to the slow suspense and further immerses the audience in the story. The production values also suit the story.
Verdict:
Overall, Eko is an engaging mystery thriller that will impress the audience. The performances of the actors will impress the audience. The major strength of this movie is its writing and its execution. Although the narration and treatment of this film seems a bit confusing, the progress of the film creates some interest. It is definitely one of the mystery thriller films that audiences are enjoying recently on OTT.
123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
