Ronth Review: A Gripping Malayalam Crime Thriller Recap
Welcome to The Movie Time, your ultimate hub for spoiler-filled recaps and reviews of 2025’s cinematic masterpieces! Today, we’re diving into Ronth, a Malayalam crime thriller that hit theaters on June 13, 2025, and began streaming on JioHotstar from July 22, 2025. Directed by Shahi Kabir and starring Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew, this intense police drama unfolds over one harrowing night. Does it deliver raw suspense or falter under its weight? Stream it on JioHotstar, join the buzz on X with #MovieTimePicks, and let’s unravel this gritty tale!
The Legacy of Malayalam Police Dramas
Malayalam cinema, or Mollywood, is renowned for its grounded storytelling, from Drishyam’s cunning twists to Nayattu’s raw police drama. Ronth (transl. Patrol), directed by Shahi Kabir (Ela Veezha Poonchira), continues this tradition, building on his cop-centric scripts like Joseph and Nayattu. Released on June 13, 2025, it earned ₹5 crore in its first three days and a “Certified Fresh” 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, per Filmibeat and Rotten Tomatoes. Its digital debut on JioHotstar in multiple languages (Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada) broadened its reach, per Times of India. For global readers, the film’s Kerala setting involves R&AW-like police operations, with sub-inspectors handling gritty night patrols, explained below. Let’s dive into this haunting cop saga
A Night of Tensions: Plot Recap
Ronth follows Sub-Inspector Yohannan (Dileesh Pothan), a jaded veteran, and rookie constable Dinanath (Roshan Mathew) during a single night patrol in Kerala’s Thrissur district. The story opens with a tense car chase through foggy backroads, where Yohannan’s steely calm contrasts Dinanath’s nervous energy. Tasked with routine checks, they respond to a domestic dispute, where Yohannan’s restraint defuses a volatile husband, Jincy’s (Carmen S. Mathew) abuser. Dinanath, idealistic and quick-tempered, bristles at Yohannan’s cynicism, setting up their clashing dynamic.
Flashbacks reveal Yohannan’s trauma—a botched case costing a colleague’s life—while Dinanath grapples with guilt over a family tragedy. The first act escalates when they stumble on a suicide scene, which Yohannan suspects is a murder cover-up. A chilling clue—a bloodied knife—points to a local gang, led by DYSP Jacob J. (Arun Cherukavil). A subplot involves Jincy, whose cryptic warnings hint at a larger conspiracy. The patrol takes them through desolate alleys and haunting forests, captured vividly by cinematographer Manesh Madhavan, per The Week.
The second act intensifies as a life-threatening call—a gang ambush—traps the duo in a warehouse. Dinanath’s impulsive heroism saves Yohannan, but their trust frays when Yohannan hides evidence to protect a corrupt superior. A standout sequence sees them navigate a riot during Thrissur Pooram, Kerala’s vibrant temple festival with drums and fireworks, explained for global fans as a cultural spectacle. Dinanath’s probe into the suicide uncovers a trafficking ring, tying to Jacob’s gang. Yohannan’s moral conflict peaks, torn between duty and guilt.
The climax unfolds in a rain-soaked graveyard, where Yohannan confronts Jacob, revealing his own past complicity in a cover-up. Dinanath, wounded in a shootout, forces Yohannan to choose justice over loyalty. The 125-minute film ends with Yohannan turning in evidence, facing suspension but finding peace. Dinanath recovers, their bond solidified. A post-credits tease hints at a Nayattu crossover, sparking X buzz. The raw, realistic portrayal of Kerala’s police life grips, per Filmfare.
The Good: Raw Realism and Stellar Performances
Shahi Kabir’s direction crafts a slow-burn thriller that haunts, not thrills, per Filmfare’s 4/5 review. Dileesh Pothan’s Yohannan is a career-best, his weathered stoicism and quiet guilt gripping, especially in a confession scene, per The Week. Roshan Mathew’s Dinanath balances zeal and vulnerability, his shootout heroics trending on X. The film’s realism—gritty patrols, moral dilemmas—sets it apart, reflecting Kabir’s police experience, per The Hindu. Manesh Madhavan’s cinematography, with desolate nightscapes and Thrissur’s bustling Pooram, is breathtaking. Anil Johnson’s score, with haunting violin riffs, amplifies tension, trending on Spotify.
The 125-minute runtime feels deliberate, easing viewers into the night’s dread, per Onmanorama. Cultural elements, like Kerala’s Pooram festival (a vibrant temple event with processions), add authenticity, explained for global fans as a communal celebration. The Nayattu connection enriches the YRF Spy Universe, per IMDb. X fans praise its “grounded storytelling,” calling it a “Mollywood masterclass.” The film’s exploration of police trauma and morality resonates globally, earning praise for its “quiet power,” per Gulf News.
The Not-So-Good: Slow Pace and Somber Climax
Ronth falters with its deliberate pacing, with some early scenes—routine patrols—feeling sluggish, per X critiques. The tragic climax, while impactful, leaves unresolved threads, like Jincy’s full story, frustrating some viewers, per IMDb. Jacob’s villainy feels underdeveloped, a missed chance for deeper menace. The somber ending, though realistic, lacks the open-ended ambiguity some fans craved, per user reviews. Minor technical flaws, like uneven sound mixing in riot scenes, draw nitpicks, per BookMyShow. A tighter edit or bolder antagonist could’ve sharpened the impact.
Performances: A Powerhouse Duo
Dileesh Pothan delivers a masterclass as Yohannan, his subtle glances and gruff restraint conveying years of trauma, per The Week. Roshan Mathew shines as Dinanath, his fiery idealism and raw pain (especially post-shootout) earning X praise. Lakshmi Menon’s debut as Jincy is haunting, her brief role leaving a mark, per IMDb. Arun Cherukavil’s Jacob is menacing but underused. Supporting players like Sudhi Koppa (ASI Sadanandan) and Krisha Kurup add depth, though some roles feel thin. The leads’ chemistry—tense yet evolving—grounds the drama.
Technical Aspects: A Gritty Triumph
Manesh Madhavan’s cinematography is a standout, capturing Kerala’s eerie nights and vibrant Pooram with stark beauty, per The Week. Anil Johnson’s score, with minimalist violins and pulsing drums, builds dread, trending on Spotify. Praveen Mangalath’s editing is sharp in action scenes but drags in quieter moments. Sound design—sirens, festival drums—immerses, perfect for JioHotstar streaming. Production design, from grimy police jeeps to Thrissur’s temples, feels authentic. Minor sound mixing issues in crowd scenes draw X complaints, but the polish shines.
Audience Reaction: A Mollywood Hit
X is ablaze with Ronth love, with fans praising Pothan’s “award-worthy” turn and Mathew’s “fiery zeal,” per BookMyShow. The graveyard climax and Pooram riot trended in India, spawning memes. Some call the pace “slow,” but its ₹5 crore opening and 7.9/10 IMDb rating signal success, per Filmibeat. JioHotstar’s multi-language release boosted its reach, per Times of India. Critics laud its “unflattering police portrait,” with Filmfare calling it “deeply unsettling.” The Nayattu connection fuels sequel hype.
What’s your favorite Ronth moment? Vote below!
Pooram festival riot
Graveyard climax showdown
Yohannan’s confession
Dinanath’s shootout heroism
Top 5 Moments in Ronth
For Mollywood fans, here are the film’s most gripping scenes:
Pooram Festival Riot: The chaotic chase amid drums and fireworks is electrifying, trending on X.
Graveyard Climax: Yohannan’s confrontation with Jacob in the rain is raw and intense.
Yohannan’s Confession: Pothan’s emotional breakdown stuns, per The Week.
Dinanath’s Shootout: Mathew’s heroic stand in the warehouse grips, per IMDb.
Post-Credits Tease: The Nayattu crossover hint sparks sequel buzz.
Final Verdict: A Haunting Cop Drama
Ronth is a gripping Malayalam thriller with Shahi Kabir’s unflinching direction, Dileesh Pothan’s stoic brilliance, and Roshan Mathew’s fiery heart. Its raw realism and Kerala backdrop shine, though a slow pace and somber climax temper its thrill. A must-watch for fans of grounded police dramas, it’s a Mollywood gem.
Rating: 3.9/5 Stars
A haunting, realistic thriller that’s big on emotion but light on pace, perfect for a JioHotstar binge or theater revisit.
Why Watch (or Skip) Ronth
Watch if: You love gritty cop dramas, Mollywood’s realism, or Pothan-Mathew’s chemistry. Ideal for fans of Nayattu or Training Day.
Skip if: You dislike slow-burn narratives or somber endings.
Stream Ronth on JioHotstar, catch it in theaters, and share your take on X with #MovieTimePicks! Explore more Mollywood reviews at The Movie Time.
Tags: Ronth, Dileesh Pothan, Roshan Mathew, Malayalam movie, 2025 movies, Shahi Kabir, JioHotstar, movie review, movie recap, crime thriller, police drama
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