DIES IRAE

Dies Irae (2025): A Cold Day of Judgment in Malayalam Horror

Opening: When the Wrath Arrives

Rahul Sadasivan’s Diés Iraé (Latin for “Day of Wrath,” a title pulled from the well-known hymn about Judgment Day) lands as a strong entry in modern Malayalam horror. Released on Halloween 2025, the supernatural thriller stars Pranav Mohanlal as Rohan, a wealthy architect who seems to have everything under control, until his home starts feeling wrong. After his ex-girlfriend Kani dies by suicide, Rohan can’t shake the sense that something follows him. What begins as grief and guilt turns into a dark trail of secrets, uneasy partnerships, and horrors tied to trauma that never got closure.

Story and Mood: Quiet Fear That Builds Into Bigger Shocks

The film starts with Kani’s body being pulled from a well, and the mood turns heavy fast. Rohan’s polished life, filled with sleek spaces and distant connections, begins to crack. Small details grow into warnings: lights that blink at the wrong time, breath that fogs in still air, the soft jingle of anklets in empty rooms. The movie finds fear in ordinary moments, a breeze moving through hair, a shifting beam of light, shadows that seem a little too alive.

Compared to Sadasivan’s Bhoothakaalam (2022), where much of the fear sits in what you can’t see, Diés Iraé puts more on screen. It mixes mental pressure with clear supernatural attacks. The first half takes its time and puts mood first. It stretches tension in a way that feels similar to some A24-style horror, but still stays rooted in Indian settings and emotions. Later, the story tightens and moves quickly. You get sharp jump scares, a strong interval block, and a shift into mystery mode. As the truth comes out, the film points to old wrongs, family scars, and spirits trapped by rage or unfinished longing.

There are also small links to Sadasivan’s other films (Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam). Fans will catch the nods, but this story works fine on its own.

Acting: Pranav Mohanlal Shows Real Fragility

Pranav Mohanlal gives his most convincing performance so far. He plays Rohan with a kind of exposed fear that feels honest. As Rohan slides from doubt into panic, Pranav sells it with body language more than big speeches, stiff posture in cold air, eyes that scan corners, a face that keeps trying to stay calm and failing. That grounded work makes the fear hit harder.

The supporting cast also holds up well. Gibin Gopinath brings heat when the story needs it. Arun Ajikumar, Jaya Kurup, and Sushmita Bhat add weight and keep the world feeling real.

Craft and Sound: The Movie Knows How to Get Under Your Skin

Shehnad Jalal’s cinematography uses light with care, and the colors fade as the dread grows. Christo Xavier’s music keeps tension humming in the background, with touches that echo the hymn behind the title. Shafique Mohammed Ali’s editing keeps scenes tight without rushing the slow build.

Production design by Jothish Shankar helps sell the chill, from modern interiors that feel too empty to spaces that seem to hold memories. The sound work by Jayadevan Chakkadath and M.R. Rajakrishnan is a major strength. You hear anklets clearly, wind feels close, and silence becomes its own threat.

What Works (and a Few Small Issues): Why It Stays With You

Diés Iraé works best as a mood-heavy Malayalam horror that respects the viewer. It doesn’t lean only on loud scares. It lets fear settle in slowly, then hits harder when you least want it. The story also touches on grief, trauma, and the way pain can bind people together, while staying tied to local culture instead of feeling generic.

Some viewers may find the pace a little slow, and it can play even better at home than in a packed theater. The film has been streaming on JioHotstar since December 5, 2025, with dubs in multiple languages.

The ending stretch can feel a bit expected in places, and a few details are left open. That said, the film’s control and mood make those issues easy to forgive.

Final Take: One of the Best Horror Films of 2025

With Diés Iraé, Rahul Sadasivan strengthens his place as one of Malayalam cinema’s most reliable horror directors. The film blends familiar genre beats, including the rising chaos you might connect with Insidious and the family pain that recalls Hereditary, while keeping its voice local and personal. Pranav Mohanlal’s lead performance, paired with strong visuals and sound, makes this one worth the unease. If you like horror that builds tension and sticks with you, this is a solid pick.

Rating: ibomma 4.5/5
A sharp, unsettling win that lingers after the credits.

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