Movie Review: Aroopi (2026) – A Supernatural Mystery with an Intriguing Curse
Directed and written by Abhilash Warrier, Aroopi is a Malayalam supernatural horror thriller that combines an ancient curse, a mysterious doll, family secrets and psychological tension. The film stars Vysakh Ravi, Sakshi Bhadala, Neha Chawla, Sindhu Varma and Joy Mathew.
Released theatrically on July 3, 2026, Aroopi runs for approximately 115 minutes and was certified UA 16+. It was released in Malayalam and later received a Tamil release on July 10. (IMDb)
Quick Review Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Abhilash Warrier |
| Writer | Abhilash Warrier |
| Lead Cast | Vysakh Ravi, Sakshi Bhadala, Neha Chawla |
| Supporting Cast | Sindhu Varma, Joy Mathew, Nebu Abraham, Mathews Raju, Kannan Sagar, Aditya Raj, Kiran Raj |
| Music Composer | Gopi Sundar |
| Cinematography | Aman |
| Editor | V.T. Vineeth |
| Genre | Horror / Supernatural / Thriller |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Runtime | 115 Minutes |
| Certification | UA 16+ |
| Theatrical Release | July 3, 2026 |
| Tamil Release | July 10, 2026 |
| Production | Punartham Productions |
The Central Board of Film Certification lists Abhilash Warrier as director and writer, Gopi Sundar as music composer, Aman as cinematographer and V.T. Vineeth as editor. (CBFC India)
Storyline: The Curse Hidden Inside a Doll
The story begins centuries ago with Padmini Thampuratty, a powerful woman associated with Karur Mana. Her martial-arts abilities and strength make her admired throughout the village, but her cousin Dathan Thampuran develops feelings for her despite her lack of interest in him.
The events surrounding Padmini eventually become connected to an ancient supernatural curse.
In the present day, two thieves accidentally unleash a vengeful Yakshini that had been sealed inside a doll at the Aryanattu estate.
Soon afterwards, a brutal murder takes place.
This brings Niranjan (Vysakh Ravi), the last surviving heir of the family, back to his ancestral home. What initially appears to be a family mystery gradually develops into something much darker.
Niranjan must confront the history of his family, the mysterious curse and the supernatural force that has returned.
The film’s central mystery revolves around one question:
What really happened in the past—and why has the curse returned now?
Character Performances: Strong Work from the New Ensemble
One of Aroopi‘s interesting aspects is its relatively fresh cast.
- Vysakh Ravi (as Niranjan): Vysakh Ravi carries the film as the central protagonist. His performance works particularly well when Niranjan’s psychological vulnerability begins to collide with the supernatural events surrounding him. He gives the character enough uncertainty to keep the audience questioning what is real.
- Sakshi Bhadala (as Sakshi): Sakshi Bhadala brings a youthful energy to the ensemble and contributes effectively to the mystery surrounding the estate.
- Neha Chawla (as Padmini Thamburati): Neha Chawla plays the historical character of Padmini, whose story forms an important part of the film’s supernatural mythology.
- Sindhu Varma (as Dhathri Thamburati): Sindhu Varma adds emotional weight to the family portions and is among the principal performers listed in the official certification records.
- Joy Mathew (as Alex George): Joy Mathew provides experienced support to the younger cast and adds credibility to the investigation surrounding the strange events.
- Nebu Abraham (as Dathan Thamburan): Nebu Abraham plays the historical antagonist whose feelings toward Padmini become an important part of the backstory.
- Mathews Raju (as CI Jithin John): Mathews Raju contributes to the investigative side of the narrative.
- Kannan Sagar (as Kannan) and Aditya Raj (as Arjun) also play supporting roles in the mystery.
The official cast listings confirm these performers and their principal roles. (CBFC India)
Technical Craft & Direction: Atmosphere Over Excessive Gore
Director Abhilash Warrier takes a relatively atmospheric approach to horror.
Rather than depending entirely on jump scares, Aroopi builds its horror around the old estate, the cursed doll, family history and supernatural mystery.
Cinematography
Aman handles the cinematography.
The ancestral-house setting provides the film with an effective horror backdrop. Dark interiors, traditional architecture and isolated locations help establish a sense of uneasiness.
Several audience reactions have particularly praised the film’s photography and locations. (IMDb)
Music & Background Score
Gopi Sundar handles the music.
The soundtrack includes songs such as “Orma Nilaav,” “Nenjakame Nee” and “Ee Paathayil,” with lyrics by B.K. Harinarayanan. (MalluRelease)
The background score is particularly important to the horror atmosphere, with audience feedback highlighting the audio work and BGM as positives. (BookMyShow)
Editing
V.T. Vineeth handles the editing.
With a runtime of around 115 minutes, the film remains relatively compact for a supernatural thriller. This helps the mystery progress without becoming excessively lengthy. (IMDb)
Critical Analysis: Mystery More Than Pure Horror
The most interesting thing about Aroopi is that it doesn’t function purely as a conventional horror movie.
The supernatural elements are certainly important, but the film also works as a mystery thriller.
The story gradually connects:
Ancient history → Padmini → the cursed doll → the Aryanattu estate → the murder → Niranjan → the family secret
This structure allows the film to maintain curiosity even when the horror itself isn’t particularly frightening.
Some audience reactions have specifically described the movie as feeling more like a mystery than straight horror, while praising its locations, photography, songs, BGM and climax. (IMDb)
At the same time, reactions are clearly mixed. IMDb currently lists the film at around 6.2/10, while BookMyShow’s audience rating is considerably higher, showing that viewers have responded very differently to the film. (IMDb)
That difference is understandable because Aroopi is more interested in building a supernatural puzzle than delivering constant scares.
What Works
✅ Interesting Supernatural Premise
The cursed doll and Yakshini mythology provide an intriguing foundation.
✅ Strong Locations
The ancestral estate creates an effective atmosphere for the story.
✅ Gopi Sundar’s Music
The songs and background score add considerably to the film’s mood.
✅ Compact Runtime
At approximately 115 minutes, the film doesn’t overstay its welcome.
✅ Mystery Element
The film gives viewers enough questions to keep watching until the revelations.
✅ Fresh Cast
The relatively young ensemble gives the movie a different feel from more star-driven horror films.
What Doesn’t Work
❌ Uneven Screenplay
The mystery doesn’t always develop at the same pace.
❌ Horror Could Be Stronger
Viewers expecting a genuinely terrifying horror film may find it more mysterious than frightening.
❌ Character Development
Some supporting characters don’t receive enough depth.
❌ Mixed Tonal Approach
The film occasionally struggles to balance supernatural horror, family drama and psychological thriller elements.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Watching?
Aroopi is a reasonably engaging Malayalam supernatural mystery thriller with an intriguing mythology and atmospheric presentation.
Vysakh Ravi gives the film a solid central performance, while Sakshi Bhadala, Neha Chawla and Sindhu Varma add important layers to the story. Joy Mathew provides experienced support, while Nebu Abraham, Mathews Raju, Kannan Sagar and Aditya Raj complete the ensemble. (CBFC India)
The film’s cursed-doll concept, ancestral setting, cinematography, music and mystery-driven narrative are its biggest strengths. It isn’t consistently scary, but it succeeds better as a supernatural puzzle that gradually reveals its secrets.
If you enjoy Malayalam horror, Yakshini mythology, haunted estates, family curses and mystery thrillers, Aroopi is worth giving a chance.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ / 5
