The Priest movie review: A star-studded horror-thriller that’s low on scares

3/5

It’s been some time since Malayalam superstar Mammootty did a horror film and that was one of the many factors driving debutant director Jofin T Chacko’s The Priest. The other significant highlight was that the movie marks the first time that Mammootty and Manju Warrier are sharing screen space. The Priest also has a star-studded cast featuring Nikhila Vimal, Ramesh Pisharody, Jagadish and Madhupal in significant roles that add to the umpteen twists in the tale.

The movie kicks off with the introduction of a Father Carmen Benedict, ably portrayed by Mammootty, who is blessed with a special skill of perceiving the presence of a supernatural. Add to it his investigative skills and you have a man of faith specialising as a paranormal investigator. Fr Benedict is approached by an aide of the affluent Alatt family, which has been plagued by multiple suicides. As soon as he begins investigation with the help of the cops, another victim suffers the same fate; the only witness is a reclusive child named Ameya Gabriel (Baby Monica) who has a history of running away from her orphanage. Benedict’s probe on the Alatt suicides uncovers another deeper and darker secret, one that needs him to use his special skill.

As the debut venture of Jofin, who is also its scriptwriter, the movie is technically good, with the sound department deserving special mention for creating the eerie atmosphere during certain sequences. However, the script, especially the second half is found wanting. The movie’s pace keeps fluctuating with the twists never quite getting the desired effect. The exorcism scenes too were low on the scares. The film works as two investigations carried out by Benedict in the two halves, and hence neither the plots nor their characters get their due.

Acting-wise, the role of Fr Benedict is a cakewalk for an actor of Mammootty’s calibre. He brings the desired gravitas and keeps the character grounded. However, it does make you wonder, if casting another actor, who isn’t a superstar, would have actually helped intensify the suspense elements as with Mammootty, the audience does feel secure all the time. Mammootty and Manju Warrier don’t share too many sequences with the latter’s role being more of an extended cameo.

Nikhila Vimal as the schoolteacher, who is affectionate to Ameya, does her part well. But the MVP has to be Baby Monica, who brilliantly plays the part of the brooding, shut-away child perfectly while also bringing in that dark energy needed in the film’s horror scenes.

The film’s music department, handled by Rahul Raj, does well with the three songs being used to forward the narrative, which becomes tepid as the story goes on, rather than as standalone pieces.

Verdict: The Priest could appeal to those who are looking to watch an investigative thriller with supernatural elements but not too many jump scares.