Drishyam 3 Review: A Forced Sequel That Lacks The Magic Of The Original
SARKAR RATING: 2.5/5 RELEASE DATE : MAY 21, 2026
CAST
Mohanlal, Meena, Siddique, Asha Sharath, Murali Gopy, Ansiba Hassan, Esther Anil
CREW
Director: Jeethu Joseph
Music Director: Anil Johnson
DOP: Satheesh Kurup
Editor: Vinayak VS
Producer: Antony Perumbavoor
Presented By: Pen Studios & Panorama Studios
Production House: Aashirvad Cinemas
U.S. Distributor: Prathyangira Cinemas
WHAT IS THE FILM ABOUT
Drishyam 3 once again revisits the haunting case that changed Georgekutty’s family forever. Just when life appears to settle down, fresh complications surrounding the same incident begin to threaten the peace of the family. As fear and suspicion return, Georgekutty once again stands as the protective shield for his wife and daughters, determined to safeguard them at any cost.
PERROMANCE
Mohanlal effortlessly slips back into the role of Georgekutty and delivers a restrained, composed performance that feels familiar to fans of the franchise. His screen presence and subtle expressions still work effectively, even though the writing does not provide him with enough emotionally powerful moments.
Meena and the two daughters perform adequately within the limited scope given to them. However, the emotional depth that made the earlier films memorable is largely missing here. None of the characters are given standout arcs or memorable scenes that leave a lasting impression.
The supporting cast, including Siddique, Asha Sharath, and Murali Gopy, perform sincerely, but the weak characterization and underdeveloped writing reduce their overall impact.
ANALYSIS
Drishyam 3 opens with a recap of the murder case and the trauma Georgekutty’s family endured in the earlier installments. While the recap successfully refreshes the audience’s memory, the film struggles to maintain momentum once the actual narrative begins.
The first half mainly focuses on Georgekutty’s journey as a film producer after the “Drishyam” movie within the story becomes a success. Subplots involving production disputes and a film leak on YouTube occupy a major portion of the runtime, but these threads fail to generate meaningful engagement or tension.
The director also attempts to explore Georgekutty’s fears regarding his daughters and their future. However, these emotional beats appear scattered and repetitive rather than organically woven into the narrative. Much of the tension feels dependent on Georgekutty’s paranoia instead of genuine, gripping developments.
Despite an interval twist, the film never truly builds enough intensity to make the moment impactful. The lack of a compelling setup weakens the suspense considerably, making the first half only mildly engaging.
The second half initially continues the sluggish pace established earlier. However, the film becomes relatively more watchable during the latter portions leading up to the climax. Even then, the screenplay offers very few memorable twists or emotionally satisfying moments.
One experimental idea introduced during the climax serves as the film’s primary twist. While it is decent in concept, the execution lands only moderately well and falls far short of the high standards set by the previous installments.
What made the original Drishyam films special was the strong emotional bond within Georgekutty’s family combined with razor-sharp suspense writing. Unfortunately, both those strengths are noticeably absent here. The family drama feels emotionally hollow, while the thriller elements lack surprise and intensity.
Overall, Drishyam 3 comes across as an unnecessary continuation that struggles to justify its existence. More than expanding the legacy of the franchise, the film ends up reminding viewers that some stories are best left untouched after a perfect conclusion.
MUSIC AND TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS
Anil Johnson delivers a functional background score that supports the narrative reasonably well. While the music does not create any standout moments, it complements the mood of the film effectively.
Satheesh Kurup maintains the visual consistency of the franchise with neat and clean cinematography. The film retains the grounded visual tone associated with the earlier parts.
Editing by Vinayak VS could have been sharper, especially in the first half where several scenes feel repetitive and stretched unnecessarily.
The production values from Aashirvad Cinemas are decent and suitable for the grounded, family-oriented setting of the film.
VERDICT
Drishyam 3 fails to recreate the emotional depth, gripping suspense, and brilliance that made the earlier films classics. Despite Mohanlal’s sincere performance and a reasonably engaging final act, the weak writing, lack of impactful twists, and emotionally flat narrative make this sequel feel forced and unnecessary. Fans of the franchise may still watch it out of curiosity, but the film ultimately falls far short of expectations.
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