Lists
11 Best Malayalam Thriller Movies With Brilliant Twists
Drishyam, Memories, Mumbai Police, Anjaam Pathiraa, Kishkindha Kaandam and more: the smartest Malayalam crime and mystery thrillers.
DailyMovieHub TeamEditorial team2 min read
If you love thrillers and haven't tried Malayalam cinema yet, you are in for a treat. Kerala's filmmakers are known for tight writing, realistic police work and twists that are actually earned.
All of these have subtitles, and many are available dubbed in Hindi.
1. Drishyam (2013)
★ 7.62h 44mThriller · Crime · DramaMalayalam
Directed by Jeethu Joseph · Starring Mohanlal, Meena
A cable TV operator who learned everything from movies hides a crime to protect his family. Mohanlal's Georgekutty is one of the great thriller heroes, and this film has been remade across India and beyond.
Start here. Everything else on this list follows the standard it set.
2. Drishyam 2 (2021)
★ 7.62h 33mThriller · Crime · DramaMalayalam
Directed by Jeethu Joseph · Starring Mohanlal, Meena
Seven years later, the past comes back. A rare sequel that matches the original, released straight to streaming during the pandemic and watched by huge audiences.
3. Memories (2013)
★ 7.12h 12mCrime · ThrillerMalayalam
Directed by Jeethu Joseph · Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Miya George
A former police officer drowning his grief in alcohol is called back when a string of strange murders begins. Prithviraj Sukumaran leads, and Jeethu Joseph (who also made Drishyam) directs.
4. Mumbai Police (2013)
★ 7.02h 25mCrime · Mystery · ThrillerMalayalam
Directed by Rosshan Andrrews · Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jayasurya
A police officer loses his memory in an accident just as he solves his friend's murder, and has to investigate the case again from the beginning. The final reveal is famous for a reason.
Watch it if you like twists that change everything you've seen.
5. Joseph (2018)
★ 7.62h 18mDrama · ThrillerMalayalam
Directed by Padmakumar M · Starring Joju George, Irshad
A retired police officer with a gift for investigation is pulled into a case after his ex-wife's death. Joju George gives a powerful, understated performance.
6. Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
★ 7.62h 24mCrime · Thriller · MysteryMalayalam
Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas · Starring Kunchacko Boban, Unnimaya Prasad
A psychologist interested in criminology helps the police with a serial killer case they can't crack. Dark, tense and very well made.
Not for young viewers.
7. Forensic (2020)
★ 6.62h 14mCrime · ThrillerMalayalam
Directed by Anas Khan, Akhil Paul · Starring Tovino Thomas, Mamta Mohandas
A forensic expert and an investigating officer hunt a serial killer connected to a cold case. Tovino Thomas leads a classic chase thriller.
8. Nayattu (2021)
★ 7.52h 4mThriller · DramaMalayalam
Directed by Martin Prakkat · Starring Kunchacko Boban, Joju George
Three police officers end up on the run after a death they're blamed for, days before an election. Less a mystery than a pulse-pounding chase about power and politics.
9. Rorschach (2022)
★ 6.72h 30mThriller · MysteryMalayalam
Directed by Nissam Basheer · Starring Mammootty, Grace Antony
A man searching for his missing wife comes to a village and gets close to a family with a dark secret. Mammootty plays it strange and unpredictable.
10. Kishkindha Kaandam (2024)
★ 7.82h 5mThriller · Mystery · DramaMalayalam
Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan · Starring Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali
A newly married couple, a forest full of monkeys and a series of unsettling events. A slow, clever mystery that rewards patience.
11. Abraham Ozler (2024)
★ 6.22h 24mThriller · Drama · CrimeMalayalam
Directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas · Starring Jayaram, Anaswara Rajan
A veteran police officer with a painful past takes up a serial killing case. Jayaram leads this crime thriller from the director of Anjaam Pathiraa.
How we picked
We chose Malayalam thrillers that are still discussed for their writing and twists, from the 2013 classics to recent hits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Malayalam thriller? Drishyam, followed closely by Mumbai Police and Memories.
Are Malayalam movies available in Hindi? Many have Hindi dubbed versions on streaming platforms.
Where can I watch them? Check each card for current streaming options in your country.
Ratings, runtimes and streaming availability come from TMDB and JustWatch and update automatically. Availability differs by country.