Rahul Sadasivan’s Dies Irae is pure, straight-up horror — the kind that creeps up on you slowly and leaves you frozen in your seat. It’s not the jump-scare or horror-comedy kind we’re used to. This one is serious, thoughtful, and deeply unsettling.
From the start, the film builds an uneasy atmosphere. The pre-interval stretch is a high point — tense, unpredictable, and thrilling. The story flips at every predictability, taking you into darker, more disturbing territory. The post-interval portions hit even harder. The fear becomes more psychological, more personal. You’re not just watching horror; you’re feeling it.
Sadasivan’s most significant achievement is his connection of Dies Irae to his earlier films, Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam. With this, we can say he is building his own horror universe.
Pranav Mohanlal gives his best performance yet. He plays Rohan, a wealthy architect whose life starts to collapse in strange, terrifying ways. Pranav plays the role with honesty and control — no exaggerated reactions, just real fear and confusion. You can see how much he’s grown as an actor. If he keeps choosing films like this, he’s on the right track.
It was also smart of the makers to keep the cast details and story under wraps before release. The film has only a handful of characters, and everyone plays an important part. The performances feel natural, which helps the tension stay believable.
Shehnad Jalal’s cinematography turns light and shadow into tools of fear. Christo Xavier’s music and background score do precisely what they should: that is to pull you in. The sound design especially stands out; in a good theatre, it’s a full-body experience.
The film doesn’t explain everything, and that’s a good thing. A few unanswered questions keep it lingering in your mind. By the end, you’re left with that quiet, haunting feeling that true horror should leave behind.
Dies Irae is a rare kind of horror — bold, immersive, and made with absolute conviction. Rahul Sadasivan has done it again. Three films in, and he’s firmly established himself as Malayalam cinema’s master of fear.
IWMBuzz rates it 4/5 stars.
