Churuli (2021) User Reviews

Lijo Directs The Audience Instead of The Movie

[athulneelamparambil · 8/10 · 21 February 2021]

I'll try to keep my review as short and spoiler free, and I suggest those who really really would like to read a review before watching the movie to only read this. The film is best experienced first hand, without any pre-notions.



I am really happy to be one of the very few people to watch the world premiere at the 25th IFFK at Thiruvananthapuram, and in one word the film could be explained as mind-blowing. This is not the ordinary Malayalam cinema, this is a whole new world of ideas. Since the movie has not yet been released to the public, let me just summarize it in this: Lijo does something really confusing that leaves us stuck. Apparently I feel that that was his aim too. He wants the viewers to be trapped in the spiral or Churuli he created. Each time you think about the movie, you find something new, and it again traps you in the whirlpool. And that concept is just wow, he did that perfectly. And I say this loud and clear, only malayalam industry could attempt such brave experiments. One of the best movie industries in the world.

Keep a special attention to the story said at the beginning (which is present in the trailer too), personally I felt that that was a fourth-wall breaking story. Yes, the audience are as much part of the film as the cast . As Lijo himself said: "This is not a Cinema, this is a Churuli(Spiral/Whirlpool)".

Pellissery takes fantasy to never-before-seen levels! [+70%]

[arungeorge13 · 7/10 · 20 November 2021]

One thing's for sure - Lijo Jose Pellissery isn't the kind of filmmaker interested in spoon-feeding the audience. His films are doused in metaphors and allegories, and Churuli is no different. Would you call it a thinking viewer's film? Nope. Because there is a deliberate attempt for the proceedings to stop making sense beyond a point. It all harks back to the mythical plot that the film opens with - the story of a monk who's misled into an unending spiral by a fey creature. LJP mounts the film in a fantastic forested landscape - Madhu Neelakantan's frames are a total feast for the eyes, punctuated occasionally by Sreerag Saji's minimalist score. Renganaath Ravee's sound design also deserves special mention.

The film's absurdity begins the moment a jeep crosses a derelict bridge carrying the two (undercover cop) protagonists played by Vinay Forrt and Chemban Vinod. The initially friendly residents of Churuli, all of a sudden, turn hostile and begin hurling abuses at each other. Heck, if this film was given to the Censors, they would have had a tough time beeping out words from almost every dialogue. I had a jolly time reading (and observing) the PG-13 English subtitles of every cuss word mentioned in the film. Jokes aside, the foul-mouthed nature of Churuli's residents stands out as yet another metaphor for lawlessness. Anything goes, from an old lady suddenly coming at you with an axe to celestial bodies flying across the sky at night to randomly shooting someone's ear off only for him to joke about it - it's chaotic the way only LJP movies can get!

Yet, when you think the quirkiness can't advance any further, the climax of Churuli is even more bonkers. It treads that thin line between science fiction and over-the-top fantasy, not giving itself entirely into either. If you feel dazed and confused about what you have just watched, you may not be the only one. But come to think of it, LJP already gave you the short synopsis in the first place. It's you, the viewer, who was simply taken for a ride. I liked Churuli for the most part - it has the director's stamp in almost every department. Given the nature of the film, I wouldn't vouch for anyone else to feel what I felt watching it. At the very least, it's not calculative; it's not predictable (at all).

A well directed and techincally brilliant movie

[Jibin0008 · 7/10 · 19 November 2021]

This was one of the movie that I was rooting for. I actually liked the movie but I wasn't satisfied. It is a well made movie with interesting characters and a mystery element throughout the movie. After watching the movie there are a lot of questions that I felt was unanswered. Questions like who are they and why is it happening and how does this thing happen and all sort of questions like that. Unlike other movies of LJP like Jallikattu where it had no closure, I was satisfied because I was able to find a philosophical or metaphorical answer to all the events happened in the movie. But here I didn't find any answers. Maybe I' wrong. But I really wanted to know more about the characters.

It is worth watching for the amazing cinematography, acting and direction and all the technical aspects. This was one of a kind movie to be honest.

For those who want to understand the loop... how its a wholesome movie is here.

[sarangcalicut · 10/10 · 21 November 2021]

Settings.

Entire churuli is a portal, not real. Once entered it's a loop. There is no getting out but only resetting the roles. Everytime a loop is concluded the memory of entire Churuli natives are refreshed too. That is the reasons they having so many names. Madan is nothing but aliens. Madan is no a single entity but a group which facilitate Churuli program for unknown reasons.

Loops.

In the movie there is clear references of two previous loops through various seemingly unimportant conversations.

Loop 1 - Soubin, a police officer is brought to Churuli by a maadan called vasu. Soubin goes through same things chemban vinod does and his back is also displaced. The maadan who brought soubin takes him to pengal and fix his back, in the process she also installs maadan into soubin. While the maadan Vasu rapes the kid. Then they eventually finds the criminal which they were looking in the first place and goes off and enters portal. Here the vasu and the criminal switch role. And enters loop 2.

Loop 2- now soubin brings George (vinay fort) looking for a criminal called vasu. Bec the role criminal is switched after the loop reset-maadan who was a police officer, vasu is criminal now. Then eventually vinay fort will break his back and soubin will take him to perngal, where they will fix the hip and soubin rapes the kid. And when the loop is reset, police officer Soubin switches the role to criminal. And vinay fort will have to bring another person to Churuli.

Loop 3 - entire Churuli movie. In the climax vinay fort and Soubin will change seats in jeep, indicating the role switch. Saajeevan will become criminal and joy ot Soubin will be freed from the loop.

Loop 4-chemban will go out and bring someone new to find the criminal Saajeevan (vinay fort). And this entire thing will repeat.

And loop will be resetted with switching chembans role to criminal, freeing vinay fort.

------------------------------------------------- Major: Saajeevan is called George by the arrack shop owner and he attends to call. This is an anomaly in resetting memory.

Some memories doesn't get reset. This is indicated by few incidents like ammachi is trying to attcak him Saajeevan with an axe and people calling eachother diffrent names. Multiple times vinay fort is referenced to being a familiar face.

About previous loops the hints are there in the conversation between arrack shop owner and Saajeevan after collecting tapioca from fearsome oldmans house.

Blinking eyes, blinking eyes by the ammachi who tried to hack Saajeevan with axe is a clue to Saajeevan to use it. He tries it later and use the power to kill the guy who was rude to him.

The alien references can be found in hoardings and at the begining of the movie after they have breakfast and two people talking about alien abduction in America.

Vinay fort remembers pengals roof view when he is getting slapped in the competition. And pengal asked him if he was there before.

Another direct reference to loop is from pengal. She is seen calling the kid 'omanakuttaa' when they arrive. When they are leaving loop neeeds to be reset and it needs a new kid. And she's seen Calling "Manu" looking afar.

Pengal knows about the loop and she's probably in control. Bec she knows chemban is a police officer and other details. She also offers to predict "future" which chemban refuses.

After breakfast when Vinay fort is washing his hands he realises something, probably a dejavu or something.

Vinay fort turns and stares and the two people talking about aliens.

Vinay fort telling chemban that he is having difficulty in tracking days while they were taking water from the well.

When Vinay fort is walking alone in the forest the whole view is liquified or fluid.

Indicating entire Churuli is a big artificial realm.

The entry to portal is probably when the jeep goes faster in the begining and jerk is felt.

Blinking eyes is a switch of control to maadan. Normally the peoples action is controlled by themselves but when madan takes over they act like robots with no pain and emotion.

In the end when the Churuli natives attacks chemban and Vinay everyone looks at chemban only, vinay is left out.

A WHOLESOME SCIFI movie.

LJP magic.

Eccentric, daring, insanely beautiful but yet way more to hit that note :(

[toby_philips · 7/10 · 22 November 2021]

The flick creates its intensity afters 10 mins and it prolongs the momentum until Soubin appear. Well trimming the rest, the movie is riveting to the core, Chemban and Vinay are annoyingly intriguing, Jaffar is exceptionally a subtle hard nut to crack. Lijos urge to showcase himself as daring and ultra liberal is ostensibly evident by juxtaposing profanity in every dialogue. However, the story, screenplay, setting, casting and score totally creates the ambience to keep one's eyes glued till the end. On the whole the movie is an eccentric, magical but yet leaves one numb.

Wow

[sreerajpjayan-99834 · 10/10 · 17 February 2021]

Never seen any malayalam movies like this one. The sound , cinematography, editing everything was cool . This is a must watch . Ljp is a genius

Have to REVISIT again & again to UNDERSTAND fully.

[MandalBros-5 · 7/10 · 19 November 2021]

As I didn't understand so many things, one dialogue from 'Tenet' was always coming to my mind - "Don't try to understand it, feel it." I'm sure there'll be many like me who will think what actually happened in the climax or in the entire movie.

The basic plot of this film is nothing but the short story which was presented beautifully at the beginning. 'Churuli' means spiral or labyrinth, Lijo successfully justified the title of the movie.

Technical dept and sound designing are always great in a LJP film. The conclusion of the movie is confusing, I didn't find any hidden meaning if there was any. Now, after finishing the movie, except the ending which reminded me of 'Hot Fuzz', I didn't find the necessity of any of the characters or the moments. I think I've to revisit it again & again to understand it fully. So, I can't say if the movie is good or bad, I'll just say if you like these confusing executions you'll like it too.

Available on Sony LIV.

© MandalBros.

N. B. I feel the movie BORING in the midway. Now, you can say I'm not ready for this kind of High Level Cinema, maybe YES. 🤷‍♂️

LJP unleashed ..!!

[stevephilipz · 9/10 · 23 November 2021]

Churuli is checkpoint in Malayalam cinema The film explores the same wild instincts in man and in a favourable environment it pops out alone with elements of SciFi and as always it's well directed well shot and well edited (keeps up the regular LJP standard in all technical aspects).. But the catch is it demands it undivided attention and deep inside thinking so for some mediocre folks its just a 'theri padam'

Raw instincts inside socialized humans

[SPHariSP · 19 November 2021]

Stories about real raw instincts of men are director LJP's favorite topic it seems. We have seen that in Ee. Ma. Yow and Jallikettu.

This movie is no different, it shows how the socialized sophisticated men has the inner raw instincts same as any other so called criminals when situation is in favor. Presentation is quite deep and powerful

Even though, I did not understand the aliens, some of Vinayfort's situations and details shown in climax, one can easily it as a mystery thriller and connect with the main thread

LJP has brought another whole new movie experience in Malayalam and probably in Indian cinema. I am looking forward for the days he is placed alongside internationally renowned film makers.

An Eccentric Attempt from Malayalam Industry

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 7/10 · 2 February 2022]

Despite being a tad slower in its natural progression, I wholeheartedly adore all of the complexities and the intricacies Pelissary cared to introduce here. "Churuli" is an eccentric tale dealing with the concept of the Time loop. A noticeably offbeat production that sets out to do things differently. A rather exploratory blend that is composed of Sci-fi rudiments and a much dominant share of human emotions which perfectly served the purpose for both its psychological niceties as well as the thrillful facets.

From a story perspective, it's quite a straightforward narrative that is abounding in strange stuff; in other words plain peculiarities. However, those elements have been treated more like delicacies rather than some factors of insignificance. And this same audacious mentality helped the creators to achieve a certain degree of certitude and flair in their craft. Further intensified by an array of technical dexterities and a couple of indelible performances.

Regardless, I'm still not positive about the efficacy of the final act; especially If I ponder over the frivolous detailing and an apparent lack of explanation regarding the same. Even though I can definitely understand their predispositions towards an open-ended outcome. But my question here is, could not this have been completely prevented? Was it that much necessary from an artistic standpoint? Did the circumstances mandate the same? I don't think so!

Self obsessed art piece with no story.

[ts-85601 · 2/10 · 30 November 2021]

The director made a whole movie to show a few nice paintings. It has no story, no mood, no character arcs, no depth. I wonder how such movies are made. Most Malayalam movies I have seen are over-hyped. It is time Malayalam cinema makes relatable movies, not artsy and agenda-driven.

Taste is Subjective

[chlorophyllus · 8/10 · 19 November 2021]

Started noticing LJP after Amen what seemed to be a regular movie a love story poor boy vs rich girl, the boy trying to restore pride of his family and music troupe, just regularish difference in treatment and ends with bang. Then we get a guy ritche type a "Dud Barrel" then hit the right notes with with ee.ma.yow and jellikattu. Skipped angamali diaries as i didnt like as it spend lot of time to take to pick up after boti recipes.

In churuli what we get two undercover cops coming to search for a accussed to a village in Kasargod. Plain and Simple is it? But not.

-Once the villagers cross the border plates are turned. Cops are servants in a Arrack shop

-Villagers talks about Americans carrying Aliens in a jeep. Arrack shop turns to church.

-One of the cops see the mysterious figures, mysterious machine in a house, yellow fireballs UFO kinda stuff?

-The innocent seem cop, like some villagers said "you are familiar to me" become "one of them" and sodomonize a boy.

• A pedophile old man.

• Finally they catch (villagers allowed them to) Mayiladumpara Joy and end up in time loop?

The whole churuli is equal parts mystifying and confusing, and an explanation almost doesn't do it justice. The film doesn't really have a genre, as it deals with so many different kinds of elements - it has a bit of sci-fi, some mystery, thriller, drama and lots and lots of curses.

So what?

Taste is subjective.

The sound effects, screenplay, cinematography but ending

[sridanish · 7/10 · 8 March 2022]

It was a very good watch. Especially watch it for the music and raw feel it gives to the movie. Everyone performed great.

The story is about 2 undercover cops going in a jungle to capture the bad guy but on their journey they discover something strange about the village and people.

It will hold you to your seat from the beginning.

You won't regret it.

Not worth of your time, Just boooring.

[kharisha · 1/10 · 23 January 2022]

Not sure how this is getting mroe than 2 ratings, there is no story, no activity, no script, recent year we have seen lot of good movies from Malayalam but this one sucks.

Really not worth of of your time, instead watch some discovery channel for jungle adventure.

Another LIJO JOSE MAGIC ....

[ericsaju-12403 · 8/10 · 19 November 2021]

I watched this film without any expectations. But I never see a malayalam movie like this . Because this is another type movie experience . What will happen when we trapped inside a "CHURULI". The Movie tells the story of two police officers who came to catch a criminal named "Mayilaaden Joy".

This is Thrilled movie from the beginning to end.

And the Movie making is also is Nice. There are many Mysterious things are hidden in this place... NB: STRICTLY 18+

An average simple movie, people misinterpret and made as more complex and giving overrated cult status.

[aravindstvm · 6/10 · 21 November 2021]

Just a very simple movie with simple plot. People watching some minute details and making over complicated things out of movie. All cast did well vinau chemban joji shoubin. Camera and graphics work were almost good. Many malayalam sewaring words used. Which cannot be tolarated but after some time you will be familiar with it and not give a damn about it. Many saying they not understsnd plot or climax. The plot is simple as the thirumeni madan story tols on the initail credit part. The thirumeni is chemban/vinay fort the maadan is shoubin. For non mallus maadan is like some person having extra powers or some one like witch. No one can caught madan. Since he is madan and having extra powers he made chemban and vibay into a maze. Which is the last part moon scene. He made them into a loop or maze sp that he eacaped from them. Now since shoubin has some extra powera like hipnotic power he used it with vinay. The massager womens helper boy has been misbehaved by vinay is done actualy by shoubin through vinay. Similarly the climax part when vinay close his eyes he become shoubin is also the same hypnotic power.

Its really simple he made both of them into a maze. That is CHURULI. I give 6/10

A strictly one time watchable movie. Please dont make lijo cult status since he is just an overrated mediocore director. The concept of hypotic thing and all is just copy pasted from ananda bhadram manoj k jayan - prithivi things.

Better than Jallikattu! Masterful from LJP!

[nidhunmoviebuff · 9/10 · 19 November 2021]

Lijo Jose Pellissery continues to laugh at the face of conventions and pre set notions in Malayalam cinema, delivering a thought-provoking, surreal psychological drama in Churuli.

Backed by stunning cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan and spine-tingling sound design by Renganaath Raave, LJP continues to set the standard in production value for Malayalam cinema, capturing all the essence of the scenic mountaintop locales while never compromising on the chills and twists.

Based on a story thread from the novelette 'Kaligaminarile Kuttavalikal' by Vinoy Thomas, LJP has taken some fine creative liberties to build the narrative, creating the same rustic vibe of Jallikattu (2019) but enhancing the psychological elements.

Vinay Forrt and Chemban Vinod Jose star as a pair of undercover police officers who pose as labourers to smoke out an escaped prisoner from a remote, high range village named 'Churuli' (Helix or Spiral in Malayalam)

Fan theories abounded when LJP announced the movie title itself, with everything from time loops to wormholes being thrown around and the same curiosity is channeled by the masterful director, keeping us guessing till the climax sequence.

Vinay Forrt is truly emerging as a force to be reckoned with in Malayalam cinema. His nuanced, subdued performance as an undercover cop in Churuli nicely complements his more loud, eye-catching comic performance in 'Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham' and displays the range that he can give us, as a performer. Chemban is in typical fine form, conveying the idiosyncrasies and emotions of the character well.

Jaffer Idukki is riveting as the village toddy shop proprietor and de facto headman while Joju George astounds in a short appearance. Watch out for a very special guest appearance towards the climax in a role that literally and figuratively upends the entire narrative.

To people who are making fun of the film on social media for the use of profanity, I beg you to consider- How else do you think the people of a remote village, a haven to highwaymen, conmen and fugitives from the law would speak like?

Do not be swayed by the pointless slander and the taste-less naysayers who would prefer storylines spoonfed to them via loud narratives and ear-bursting BGMs.

Churuli is a masterclass in intelligent, layered filmmaking, elevated by brilliant performances and of course, the signature aesthetic of the master auteur himself, LJP. Highly recommended!

Madness

[gautamgopinath · 6/10 · 20 November 2021]

This is an absurd movie. Its full of madness. It does not clearly explain the events that occur. The director wants us to come up with theories, he doesnt want to express his idea. I think he is the only one who knows what he meant. In my opinion, if the director fails to explain his ideas with clarity, the movie is a failure. But one thing that was great about this movie was its cinematography. That was fascinating.

Acid or Shrooms

[tonysebastian · 10/10 · 19 November 2021]

I think LJP got some visual ideas he used in the movie, when he was tripping on some acid or shrooms. The live forest is one example. The trees are given life. And the people and interactions vinay fort have with them is exactly like when you are on acid.

Variety Flop

[jaisonsmith · 7/10 · 19 November 2021]

Lijo kulichal Nolan aakilla ( Lijo can't make a movie thinking he's Christopher Nolan)

Everything was nice except no one could really say they understood the movie coz it deals with multiple loops representing the same thing different ways 🍥🍭🌪🐚 🎯

The short story is better than the film.

[Thrishoolin · 3/10 · 18 November 2021]

The short story had more clarity. The movie adds so many seemingly random stuffs into the source material which honestly doesn't make much sense. Of course there is some surreal aspect to the short story. But it made sense. In the movie the surreal stuff doesn't make much sense.

If you like surreal movies, you may like this one. For me, it's the 'emperor's new clothes'. If they had kept the movie simple, like the story, it'd have been better.

At the same time, this is better than the previous one by LJP, 'Jallikkattu'. At least the acting is good in this one. But the constant swearing may be an irritation to some of the viewers.

The graphics/vfx were quite good, along with the camera.

Brilliant piece of filmmaking!

[swathibal · 9/10 · 22 November 2021]

LJP has an extraordinary talent of visualise the abstract. He brings these concepts to life in his film - Churuli. No one person can explain everything that happens in the movie, however, the beauty of it lies in the fact that each person watching it will have a different take on it.

What I find extremely interesting about it is that you can believe what you want about the movie. The movie never spoon feeds you, never even attempts to explain weird happenings. Rather it just shows you, and you can interpret it however you choose to. Some would say that the animation in the beginning of the movie is an attempted explanation, I would say that the animation raises more questions that answers.

It's a piece of art making that will inspire hundreds of discussions about it's possible interpretation. What is art if it doesn't inspire you to think, right?

In a way you could say that Churuli is a modern art equivalent of paintings. It's absurd and abstract, but it provokes you.

Personally, I would love to see vibrant discussions on the movie, which doesn't revolve around its usage of foul language, because that should be the last thing that we take away from it. The language is just a medium to create a conceptual reality. In other words, the cuss words are not just used for heck of it. It's actually used to show the crass, crude and the raw nature of the people in the village of Churuli.

At the end of the day, whether you like the movie or not, it forces you to think, to look inside you for answers and that is what I understand to be a brilliant piece of filmmaking!

LJP's unusual work marvels again .

[benpetes · 7/10 · 19 November 2021]

Fantastic creation by the whole team and acted in the true raw form ..keeping the audience cringing until the end on a humouristic yet fresh and typical LJP style .. Perfect casting and camera work is much appreciated.

A one time must watch for a new level of Malayalam Movie.

Time waste

[chunnasah · 1/10 · 23 January 2022]

No story No thrill No twist No sci fic Nothing in this movie I expect on last some big things to twist but nothing, time waste movie I don't know why people are like this movie, in movie nothing to show big things.

I'm to much dispointing.

Masterpiece!!!

[lakshmanr · 10/10 · 23 November 2021]

After watching movie, evey time you rewind the story of churuli..you will get unique storylines and dimensions.... And most probably you will think that was the best dimension of the story until you think about churuli again..!!!

If hollywood has inception, malayalam movie has.. churuli...!!!! Thats it...thats the review!!!