Naane Varuvaen (2022) Movie Review

Naane Varuven is a film that has generated a lot of buzz due to its unique concept revolving around sibling rivalry between real-life brothers. The film is written by Dhanush and directed by his brother Selvaraghavan. However, despite its brilliant premise, Naane Varuven feels like a poorly edited first draft of a film.

Right from the start, there is a sense that something is off with the film. Even Dhanush's performance as Prabhu, who plays a double role in the film, feels artificial and strange. This is unexpected given Dhanush's ability to make audiences root for him, as seen in his cameo in The Gray Man. Nonetheless, viewers may overlook these initial shortcomings, believing that something unexpected will happen on the screen.

The lack of promotion surrounding the film has worked in its favor, as the biggest suspense about the movie is its genre. When it's finally revealed, it’s an exhilarating surprise that leaves audiences eager for what’s to come. However, this excitement is short-lived, as the film’s shortcomings become more prominent in the second half. The film ultimately implodes, leaving viewers feeling disappointed and betrayed.

In terms of the story, Naane Varuven is essentially a reimagining of Kamal Haasan’s Aalavandhan as a supernatural horror film. The movie follows the story of Kathir and Prabhu, who are twins. The elder twin has a sinister side and is punished by their father for his creepy acts. Eventually, he is tied up in the backyard and abducted by a psychopath (played by Selvaraghavan), who enjoys hunting humans with a bow and arrow. Kathir escapes and kills the monster by becoming one. From there, the hunted becomes the hunter.

Unfortunately, the film does not provide enough context or details to fully flesh out the story. As a result, viewers are left with a disjointed plot that lacks the coherence needed to keep them engaged. Eventually, Kathir is abandoned by his mother and younger brother, and the younger brother goes on to lead a happy life with his wife and daughter. However, things take a drastic turn when the daughter starts to act strangely after a vacation to Himachal Pradesh. Prabhu realizes that the ghost of his past is back to haunt him.

Even as a story, there is nothing particularly new about Naane Varuven. It contains all the tropes of a typical horror movie, with a significant portion of the film resembling The Conjuring. Unfortunately, the film takes the easy way out and relies heavily on expositions, voiceovers, and bland dialogue to move the plot forward. Additionally, the decision to have actor Prabhu play a psychiatrist and spiritual healer seems like a lazy writing choice. There are also extraneous characters, like Yogi Babu’s ‘hero’s friend,’ who adds nothing to the film’s proceedings.

Despite these shortcomings, the film is not entirely without merit. Dhanush’s performance as Kathir is a standout, with a scene towards the end of the movie demonstrating his acting ability. This brief moment showcases Dhanush’s talent and makes audiences forget about the film’s flaws—if only for a moment. However, the rest of the film feels like the ruins of an abandoned idea, leaving audiences feeling unsatisfied.

Naane Varuven has a brilliant idea at its core but fails to deliver on its promise. The lack of promotion around the film may have created a sense of intrigue, but the movie’s execution ultimately falls flat. While Dhanush’s performance is commendable, it is not enough to save the film from feeling disjointed.

One of the most significant issues with Naane Varuven is the lack of attention to detail. The film's visual effects are tacky.