Drishyam 3: Family defense turns criminal.

The franchise, Drishyam, known for its gripping thrillers, faces scrutiny with its third installment. While the first two films were lauded for their brilliance, Drishyam 3 struggles to justify its existence, despite a compelling performance from Mohanlal as Georgekutty. The narrative picks up with the premiere of Georgekutty's film, but a subsequent social media trial begins to unearth past secrets, questioning the ethical boundaries of family protection.

Mohanlal delivers a phenomenal performance, embodying Georgekutty with calculating calmness and emotional restraint, keeping audiences invested even when the screenplay falters. The film's first half is a significant weakness, described as sluggish and resembling a daily soap opera, with the background score attempting to inject tension. However, the final 15 minutes redeem the film with a genuinely gripping climax, filled with clever callbacks and emotional payoffs.

The series, once celebrated for its unpredictability, now feels overly aware of its formula, with the audience anticipating Georgekutty's moves. Director Jeethu Joseph's attempt at slow-burning storytelling leans more towards a narrative lull, making the film feel like filler. Despite its structural weaknesses, Drishyam 3 remains more engaging than many mainstream thrillers, though it highlights the limitations of stretching a complete story arc.