Thanal Movie Review: Narrative missteps and tonal inconsistency dampen an otherwise promising thriller.

Thanal begins in 2016 with a tense police encounter set in the slums, where officers gun down a gang of bank robbers. Fast forward a year, and a shadowy figure (Ashwin Kakamanu) begins eliminating those same officers, one by one. What seems like a standard patrol night turns into a nightmare for a new recruit (Atharvaa Murali), as he gets caught in this escalating spiral of retribution. The narrative slowly peels back the layers of conflict between the mysterious killer and the men in uniform.

Atharvaa brings energy and relatability to his role, but it’s Ashwin Kakamanu who commands attention. His brooding performance elevates the stakes, making the antagonist both menacing and strangely empathetic. Lavanya Tripathi, unfortunately, is underutilized. Her portions and the romantic track in general add little depth and only serve to drag the pace. Shah Ra, while misfiring with forced comedy in the earlier scenes, manages a credible comeback in the latter half.

The film falters most in its attempt to juggle multiple tones and timelines. Midway through, it detours into not one but two flashbacks, each intended to deepen character motivations. Ironically, the villain’s origin story, which holds real emotional weight, is weakened by an awkward animated segment that doesn’t match the gritty tone of the rest. Meanwhile, the hero’s romantic past feels like padding, bloating the runtime and diluting the urgency.

Technically, Thanal impresses with polished cinematography, especially in night scenes and a gritty tunnel set, but editing falters with continuity errors like a 2017 timeline showing a 2023 film. The first half struggles with unnecessary humor and slow buildup, yet the post-interval section builds strong tension, delivering an emotionally impactful climax. Despite a well-handled final reveal, the film’s overall impact is weakened by pacing issues and tonal inconsistencies.

Thanal Movie Rating: 2.5/5