Ezra—the 2017 Malayalam supernatural horror thriller—is an exercise in missed opportunities and cliché after cliché. Directed by Jay K, this movie attempts to blend supernatural horror with family drama, only to come across as more of a drawn-out infomercial for bad decisions. If there’s a plot point in Ezra that hasn’t been done a hundred times in better horror films, you can be sure it’ll show up here—sapping the energy from what could have been a more chilling experience. This movie is like opening a haunted box and instead of finding a terrifying demon, you just get a lot of awkward silence and a mild headache.
Let’s delve into the joyride, shall we? Brace yourselves for the never-ending loop of disappointment and ghostly clichés.
The Plot: A Recycled Tale of Evil and Egos
In Ezra, we’re introduced to Ranjan Mathew (played by Prithviraj Sukumaran) and his wife Priya (Priya Anand), who decide to settle into their new home in Kochi. What could be more exciting than moving into a house only to find that it’s hosting a supernatural entity with an insatiable desire to ruin their lives? Oh, and did I mention the creepy antique box they stumble upon? It’s almost like a warning from the universe saying, “No, this is not the house for you, but go ahead and open the creepy box anyway.”
When Ranjan and Priya start encountering paranormal disturbances, they stumble upon the truly original idea of calling a priest to help, only to realize that the whole thing centers around a Dybbuk box and a soul trapped inside. Why? Because why not, right? You know what would’ve been more terrifying than a cursed box? Watching the characters do something that doesn’t require them to follow the beaten path of “Let’s open the box because it’s there!” But I digress.
Now, I get it. The movie is based on a popular horror trope: the ancient spirit stuck in an object, desperately trying to escape, preferably by possessing someone so that they can wreak havoc. The whole thing feels less like a story and more like a collection of moments ripped from every other horror movie you’ve ever seen, none of them with the panache or originality you’d expect.
In case you were wondering, the demon inside the box is none other than Abraham Ezra, a tragic soul doomed to possess anyone who dares to meddle with his haunted vessel. It’s all about family secrets, betrayal, and a deeply intense need to ruin someone’s life by jumping from one person to the next, rather than taking a decent holiday to an all-inclusive resort like any sensible demon would do.
The Characters: Running Through Horror 101
Now, as for the characters, they’re about as developed as a horror movie trope checklist. Ranjan, played by Prithviraj, is your typical tortured hero. He’s got a dark past, mental issues, and a cursed wife—all ripe for supernatural manipulation. He’s the kind of character who’s perpetually on the verge of making terrible decisions, so, naturally, he does. It’s like watching a guy try to drive straight while actively looking for a cliff to drive off. His internal conflict is as thrilling as watching paint dry—honestly, the most dramatic part of his performance is when he reacts to the ghostly happenings, which could’ve been a powerful moment but ends up feeling like another day at the office.
Priya, his wife, is the kind of character who might as well be labeled “The Victim” in big, bold letters across the screen. She’s mostly concerned with the ghostly activities around her, but she also finds time to reflect on the more mundane parts of life. I’m just here thinking, “Lady, you’ve got a demon trying to kill you and your baby, and you’re contemplating retail therapy?”
Then there’s the demon, Abraham Ezra. He’s not exactly the type to haunt your nightmares. Instead, he’s more like the creepy neighbor who stops by uninvited and insists on telling you all about his life while you try to escape through the back door. At no point does Ezra’s presence feel genuinely terrifying, and his motives feel more like they were hastily written down on a napkin at the last minute, like, “Let’s make him a tragic lover!” If there’s anything scarier than this guy, it’s the fact that he’s involved in one of the most convoluted possession plots in recent memory.
The Acting: A Haunted Performance
Ah, the acting. In a horror film, the acting can make or break the experience. Unfortunately, Ezra is like the haunted house of acting performances: lots of potential, but ultimately a series of stumbles and awkward moments that should’ve stayed in the rehearsal room.
Prithviraj does his best, but he’s weighed down by a script that asks him to constantly be confused, tortured, and then outright panicked, sometimes all in the span of five minutes. It’s like watching a guy who forgot to bring his acting chops to set, and instead, they handed him a demon box and a thesaurus. His portrayal of someone possessed by a demon is about as believable as a cat trying to act like it’s afraid of water—except the cat actually makes more sense.
Priya Anand’s character is mostly there to scream, look terrified, and have emotional breakdowns. For someone dealing with paranormal events that would make anyone run for the hills, she’s surprisingly calm—until it’s time for her to scream. The emotional depth here can be compared to a puddle you could easily step over.
The Horror: It’s as Scary as a Flat Tire
Now let’s talk about the horror—if you can even call it that. The film leans heavily on jump scares and an overuse of spooky lighting to try and build atmosphere. But here’s the problem: after about the fourth or fifth spooky creak in the house, you’ll be more likely to check your watch to see how much longer you have to endure this ride rather than being genuinely frightened. The tension is so forced that by the time a demon is supposed to make an entrance, you’ll be too busy looking for the nearest exit to care.
The special effects? Well, let’s just say if the goal was to make a horror movie that feels like a high school science project, then mission accomplished. The demon isn’t scary, the possessions don’t feel urgent, and the jumps are as predictable as sunrise. You can almost hear the film’s director yell “ACTION!” every time something spooky happens.
The Ending: Predictable and Uninspired
And then there’s the ending, which wraps things up with the flair of a wet noodle. Spoiler alert: they get rid of the box, everything seems to be fine, and we’re left with a mediocre resolution that offers no real sense of closure. But hey, if you enjoyed the movie’s meandering journey through supernatural clichés, you’ll be thrilled to know the sequel is right around the corner. Just kidding. I’m not sure even the demon could save this one from being forgotten.
Final Verdict: The Box is the Only Thing Worth Watching
In conclusion, Ezra is a film that tries hard to be something it’s not: scary, original, or even remotely memorable. Instead, it’s a frustrating collection of missed opportunities, underwhelming performances, and a storyline that leaves you wondering why you even bothered in the first place. The biggest horror of all? The wasted potential.
If you’re looking for a film that’ll genuinely make your skin crawl, do yourself a favor and avoid this one. The only thing that’ll possess you after watching this film is regret. So, go ahead, throw the cursed box in the ocean and forget it ever existed—because it’s not worth the haunting.
