MIRAGE

Image - SonyLIV

“Mirage (2025) Review: Twists That Shine in a Slow, Shaky Thriller”

Intro: Mirage is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film directed by Jeethu Joseph, co-written with Srinivasan Abrol, based on a story by Aparna R. Tarakad. The movie stars Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali in lead roles. After its theatrical release on 19 September 2025, it began streaming on SonyLIV from 23 October 2025. Known for his storytelling twists, Jeethu Joseph once again explores mystery, deception, and human emotions—but this time, with mixed results.

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Review (90 Words): Mirage starts with promise but moves at a painfully slow pace. The film’s twists and ending are interesting, yet the execution feels weak. It takes too long to unfold, making it hard to stay fully engaged. Some scenes feel stretched, and the screenplay doesn’t support its big reveals. The characters remain flat, and the film leans more on dialogue than visual storytelling. Still, the final twist makes it worth a one-time watch—preferably at increased playback speed to enjoy the thrill without losing patience.

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Review (360 Words): Jeethu Joseph, known for his mastery in crafting suspenseful thrillers, brings Mirage, a crime thriller featuring Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali. Streaming now on SonyLIV, the film follows a mystery that unfolds slowly—sometimes tooslowly. While the concept and twists have potential, the pacing and screenplay make it a testing experience.

The first half struggles to build momentum. The setup is long, conversations are heavy, and many scenes feel repetitive. The film depends too much on dialogue instead of visual tension, which weakens the impact. When the twists arrive, they do add freshness and some curiosity, but they come abruptly, without proper buildup. The climactic revelation is engaging, yet it feels unearned because the screenplay fails to emotionally connect the audience with the characters.

Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali deliver decent performances, but the writing doesn’t allow their characters to grow. Their emotions remain surface-level, and as a result, it’s hard to empathize with them. What could have been a gripping psychological thriller becomes a passable mystery with scattered brilliance.

In short, Mirage offers intrigue but lacks coherence. The twists will make you curious, but the slow narrative and flat storytelling test your patience. If you enjoy guessing games and can tolerate a sluggish pace, this one might still appeal—just consider watching it at a higher playback speed and skipping a few unnecessary scenes.

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