Movie Review: Uyir (2026) – A Grounded Police Thriller That Finds Its Strength in Emotion
Directed by M. Padmakumar, Uyir is a Malayalam crime drama and police procedural starring Roshan Mathew in the lead role. The film explores a murder investigation involving a migrant woman while gradually connecting the case to the personal trauma of a young police officer.
Written by Shaji Maarad and Nikhil K. Menon, Uyir was released theatrically on June 26, 2026. The film has since arrived on JioHotstar, making it accessible to audiences beyond its theatrical run. (The Indian Express)
Quick Review Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | M. Padmakumar |
| Writers | Shaji Maarad, Nikhil K. Menon |
| Lead Cast | Roshan Mathew, Shruthy Menon |
| Supporting Cast | Baiju Santhosh, Vineeth Thattil, Vinod Sagar, Athulya Chandra, Shaju Sreedhar |
| Genre | Crime / Mystery / Police Procedural / Drama |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Runtime | 145 Minutes |
| Theatrical Release | June 26, 2026 |
| OTT | JioHotstar |
| Certification | UA |
The film is based on real incidents from a police officer’s career, with the story focusing on a probationary Sub-Inspector posted in Kannur district. (Cinema Express)
Storyline: A Murder Case That Becomes Personal
The story follows Ajeeb Rahman (Roshan Mathew), a young Sub-Inspector serving his probationary period at a police station in Kannur.
Ajeeb encounters a disturbing case when the decomposed body of a woman is discovered inside an abandoned well. What initially appears to be another murder investigation gradually develops into something much more complicated.
As Ajeeb and his colleagues investigate the woman’s identity and circumstances surrounding her death, they uncover uncomfortable details involving migration, exploitation and vulnerable people living on the margins of society.
The case also begins to affect Ajeeb personally. His investigation forces him to confront unresolved childhood experiences and emotional wounds, transforming the procedural investigation into a journey of personal reckoning.
This combination of crime investigation and personal trauma forms the emotional backbone of Uyir. (The Times of India)
Character Performances: Roshan Mathew Leads with Restraint
The performances are one of the film’s more reliable strengths.
- Roshan Mathew (as Ajeeb Rahman): Roshan gives a restrained and believable performance as the young police officer. Rather than portraying Ajeeb as an invincible cop, he presents him as inexperienced, emotionally affected and still learning how to deal with the realities of police work. His internal struggle gives the character depth.
- Shruthy Menon: Shruthy Menon provides an important emotional presence in the narrative. Her performance complements the more serious tone of the investigation.
- Baiju Santhosh: Baiju delivers a dependable supporting performance and adds emotional weight to the police-procedural portions.
- Vinod Sagar: Vinod Sagar makes a strong impression in his role. Cinema Express specifically notes that he is well cast and handles the character with conviction. (Cinema Express)
- Vineeth Thattil: Vineeth Thattil contributes effectively to the supporting ensemble, adding realism to the police environment.
- Athulya Chandra and Shaju Sreedhar also contribute to the film’s grounded ensemble. (Cinema Express)
Technical Craft & Direction: A Slow-Burning Investigative Approach
Director M. Padmakumar returns to the crime-investigation territory that audiences associate with films such as Joseph.
Rather than turning Uyir into an action-heavy cop thriller, Padmakumar adopts a more measured approach, concentrating on the investigation and the emotional consequences of the case.
Cinematography
The visual treatment is grounded and appropriately subdued. The police stations, investigation locations and rural surroundings contribute to the realistic atmosphere rather than making the film look excessively stylised.
Music & Background Score
The music and background score are used primarily to support the investigation and emotional sections rather than turning every revelation into a dramatic elevation moment.
Editing & Pacing
At 145 minutes, Uyir is a relatively long investigative drama. The measured pacing allows the characters and investigation to develop, although some viewers may find the screenplay slower than expected.
Onmanorama praised the film for resisting the sensationalism common in contemporary crime thrillers and allowing its social and emotional dimensions to emerge gradually. (Onmanorama)
Critical Analysis: Social Reality Over Sensationalism
One of Uyir‘s strongest qualities is its attempt to connect a murder investigation with larger social realities.
The case involving a migrant woman isn’t treated simply as a puzzle for the police to solve. The film uses the investigation to examine vulnerable communities and the circumstances that can leave people exposed to exploitation and violence.
The real-life inspiration behind the screenplay also gives the police-procedural sections a degree of authenticity. Cinema Express notes that writer Shaji Maarad’s experience as a serving police officer comes through particularly well in the procedural portions. (Cinema Express)
However, the screenplay has significant limitations.
The mystery itself can feel predictable, with several revelations telegraphed before they actually arrive. The Indian Express was particularly critical, giving the film 1.5/5 and describing the writing as loose and lacking emotional impact. (The Indian Express)
On the other hand, The Times of India gave the film 3/5, praising its grounded crime-drama approach and emotional dimension. (The Times of India)
So, Uyir is likely to work better for viewers who appreciate slow-burn police dramas and character-driven investigations than for those expecting constant twists and high-octane action.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?
Uyir is a sincere Malayalam police procedural that combines murder investigation, social commentary and personal trauma.
Roshan Mathew anchors the film with a controlled performance as Ajeeb, while Shruthy Menon, Baiju Santhosh, Vineeth Thattil and Vinod Sagar strengthen the ensemble.
Director M. Padmakumar succeeds in creating a grounded atmosphere and avoids excessive sensationalism. The biggest weakness is the predictable screenplay, which prevents the film from becoming a truly gripping mystery. Nevertheless, its emotional climax and social themes give it value beyond the central investigation. (Onmanorama)
If you enjoy Malayalam crime thrillers, realistic police investigations, socially relevant dramas and slow-burn mysteries, Uyir is worth watching—especially on OTT.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ / 5
