Directed by: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Written by: Murali Gopy
Produced by: Antony Perumbavoor, Gokulam Gopalan
Starring: Mohanlal
Cinematography: Sujith Vaassudev
Edited by: Akhilesh Mohan
Music by: Deepak Dev
Production companies: Aashirvad Cinemas, Sree Gokulam Movies, Lyca Productions
Release date: 27 March 2025
Language: Malayalam
Empuraan, also known as L2 or L2E, is a Malayalam action thriller film directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and written by Murali Gopy. The film is a joint production by Antony Perumbavoor, Gokulam Gopalan, and A. Subaskaran. Initially, Lyca Productions was involved, but they sold their rights to Sree Gokulam Movies at the last minute. Empuraan is the second instalment in a planned trilogy, following the successful Lucifer (2019). The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, and international actors like Jerome Flynn and Andrea Tivadar. With its talented cast and crew, Empuraan promises to be an exciting addition to the action thriller genre.
Empuraan’s first half impresses with its buildup and staging, piquing interest with well-handled character introductions and engaging moments after Mohanlal’s entry. The production quality shines but lacks a distinct Malayalam flavour, overshadowed by its foreign and North Indian atmosphere. Cinematography and stunts excel, yet the background score disappoints.
Empuraan’s second half mirrors its predecessor, feeling repetitive despite character changes. Predictable plot twists and silly, politically charged dialogues detract from the experience, echoing routine meme pages. As the film progresses, it settles into familiar revenge drama territory, feeling overly familiar. However, the second half falters emotionally, despite its varied locations.
Ultimately, the team fails to meet the hype surrounding Empuraan. Despite a well-staged first half, the film’s weaknesses mar the viewing experience. The focus on build-ups outweighs the need for a strong foundation. Unlike Lucifer, which resonated with audiences, Empuraan’s shift to North India and foreign locations causes a major disconnect. Hyped cameo appearances also fall flat, lacking impact.underwhelming screenplay, and an overstretched runtime render the film overly long.
However, despite its polished production, Empuraan falls short in delivering a satisfying payoff. The second half struggles to connect emotionally, and the pacing feels overstretched. The film’s reliance on style over substance ultimately detracts from the viewing experience.
Overall, Empuraan is a visually stunning film that impresses with its production quality and style. However, it lacks the depth and emotional resonance needed to make it a truly memorable experience.
Bottomline
Buildup is ELECTRIFYING! Style is POLISHED & production quality is TOP-NOTCH! However, content bits feel UNDERWHELMING.
