7 Gripping Malayalam Thrillers to Watch on Netflix, Prime Video, & More

Malayalam thrillers excel in quiet unease, blending raw emotion with gritty realism. These films don’t just shock—they confront and entrap you.

From slow-burn mysteries to socially charged dramas, here are seven Malayalam thrillers that redefine suspense.

Anjaam Pathiraa (Aha) – Known as Midnight Murders outside Kerala, this 2020 hit stars Kunchacko Boban as a criminologist tracking a serial killer inspired by real cases. Its haunting narrative made it the top-grossing Malayalam film of that year.

Ela Veezha Poonchira (Prime Video) – Soubin Shahir anchors this 2022 tale set on a remote hilltop. Directed by Shahi Kabir, it became the first Malayalam release in Dolby Vision 4K HDR, intensifying its moody atmosphere.

Rekhachithram (SonyLIV) – One of 2025’s biggest hits, it follows Asif Ali as an SHO probing a suicide linked to a decades-old disappearance and a 1985 film. With ₹55–57 crore earnings, it blends mystery, suspense, and alternate history.

Joseph (Prime Video) – Joju George shines as a retired officer entangled in organ trafficking and unresolved murders. M Padmakumar’s thriller won George both state and national recognition.

Kurup (Netflix) – Dulquer Salmaan portrays fugitive Sukumara Kurup in a stylised retelling that made history as the first Indian film to launch NFT collectables.

Nayattu (Netflix) – A tense drama where three cops on the run become scapegoats after a fatal accident. Its social critique earned global acclaim and Oscar contention.

Karnika (Prime Video) – Released in 2024, this atmospheric slow-burn delivers cerebral suspense and layered unease.