Dies Irae, the psychological horror thriller directed by Rahul Sadasivan, has shattered box office records for Malayalam A-rated films, claiming the third-biggest opening of 2025 and the largest opening ever for an A-rated Malayalam cinema release. Starring Pranav Mohanlal in a career-defining restrained performance, Dies Irae earned ₹16.75 crore net in India and ₹33 crore worldwide during its opening weekend—a remarkable achievement that marks Sadasivan’s continued mastery of the horror genre following the critical successes of Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam. The film’s intelligent, layered narrative about a wealthy architect confronting supernatural forces has captivated audiences and critics alike, establishing itself as one of 2025’s most significant Malayalam releases.
Box Office Breakthrough: Third Biggest Malayalam Opening of 2025
Release Date: October 31, 2025 (Paid Premieres: October 30) | Box Office Performance: ₹16.75 crore net India, ₹33 crore worldwide opening weekend | Chart Position: Third highest Malayalam opener of 2025 | Historic Achievement: Highest opening for an A-rated Malayalam film
Dies Irae has achieved remarkable commercial success, establishing itself as a watershed moment for horror cinema in Malayalam film industry. The film’s opening weekend collections of ₹33 crore worldwide position it as the third-largest Malayalam opening of 2025, trailing only the biggest releases of the year. More significantly, Dies Irae has claimed the distinction of being the highest-grossing opening for an A-rated (restricted to adults) Malayalam film—surpassing Marco (₹14 crore), which held the previous record.
The film opened with ₹4.70 crore on Friday and grew steadily with ₹5.70 crore on Saturday and ₹6.35 crore on Sunday. Over 230 late-night shows were reported across Kerala on the opening weekend, reflecting extraordinary audience demand. By day four, the film had crossed ₹20 crore in India alone. The Kerala market contributed approximately ₹4.75 crore on opening day alone, demonstrating the film’s particular resonance in its home state. These numbers validate Sadasivan’s reputation as a master of horror and Pranav Mohanlal’s emergence as a mature dramatic actor.
Director and Writer: Rahul Sadasivan’s Horror Mastery
Director and Writer: Rahul Sadasivan | Previous Films: Bhoothakaalam (2021), Bramayugam (2024)
Rahul Sadasivan has established himself as one of Malayalam cinema’s preeminent horror filmmakers through his previous successes Bhoothakaalam and Bramayugam, both of which earned critical acclaim and audience love despite the genre’s tendency to be dismissed in Indian cinema. With Dies Irae, Sadasivan has crafted his most accomplished work—a psychological horror thriller that eschews jump scares in favor of atmospheric dread and intelligent narrative construction.
Sadasivan’s writing demonstrates remarkable sophistication, layering subplots and character dimensions throughout the film’s 115-minute runtime without allowing the narrative to drag. In interviews about the film’s open-ended conclusion, Sadasivan revealed: “The ending evolved organically as I was shaping the characters’ arcs. I didn’t deliberately plan this as a setup for a sequel, though one may or may not happen.” His approach suggests a filmmaker committed to organic storytelling rather than franchise potential, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial manipulation.
Cast and Performances
Pranav Mohanlal as Rohan — The actor delivers what many critics describe as a “career-defining” and “stunning portrayal,” demonstrating considerable growth as a performer. Rohan is an affluent architect living alone while his parents are in the United States. Pranav’s restrained, naturalistic performance contrasts with some of his previous work, suggesting he has found a director (Sadasivan) who understands how to extract authentic work from him. The Indian Express review notes that Sadasivan “played to Pranav’s strengths, ensuring he is made to do only what comes naturally to him, thus giving the impression that he’s an extraordinary actor.” This insight demonstrates how casting and direction can fundamentally elevate an actor’s perceived capabilities.
Jibin Gopinath as Madhu — Brilliant in his supporting role, bringing depth and complexity to what could have been a peripheral character. According to Sadasivan: “I didn’t cast Jibin because I knew him. I just happened to see his photo and later one of his interviews. There was a quiet sadness in his eyes and, at the same time, a mystery. I felt he could bring something unique to the role.”
Jaya Kurup as Elsamma — Performs with “restraint and impact in some extremely demanding moments,” according to Indian Express. Her character—a maid in Rohan’s house—emerges as crucial to the narrative, with Kurup’s nuanced performance mirroring the stellar work in Rorschach (2022).
Supporting Cast: Sushmita Bhat (as Kani, the schoolmate whose suicide triggers supernatural events), Arun Ajikumar, Manohari Joy, and additional ensemble members contribute to the film’s layered narrative ecosystem.
Plot Summary
Rohan (Pranav) is a privileged young architect living a carefree life of parties in a posh Kerala locality while his parents remain in the United States. His comfortable existence shatters when he learns that his schoolmate Kani (Sushmita Bhat) has died by suicide. When Rohan visits her home to pay respects, the encounter triggers a series of escalating supernatural events that threaten his sanity and survival. As mysterious paranormal phenomena intensify, Rohan becomes convinced that a supernatural being exists within his house, forcing him to embark on an unusual mission to investigate the mystery surrounding his family and the strange occurrences plaguing him.
The film’s narrative unfolds across 115 minutes (less than two hours) with deliberate pacing that builds atmospheric dread without resorting to predictable horror tropes. Unlike conventional horror films that rely on jump scares, Dies Irae creates psychological unease through atmosphere, sound design, and the slow revelation of supernatural mysteries.
Critical Reception
Indian Express Review: 4 stars (highest rating) — Described as a “visual spectacle that pushes Indian horror cinema to new heights,” praising Pranav’s performance and the film’s sophisticated construction. The review highlights production design excellence from Jothish Shankar, cinematography brilliance from Shehnad Jalal, and “razor-edged editing” from Shafique Mohamed Ali.
India Today Review: Positive review calling Dies Irae “an immersive horror thriller that is intelligent and never takes the audience for granted.” The review emphasizes that “with top-notch making, Dies Irae is a fitting addition to Rahul Sadasivan’s filmography.” The reviewer notes that Sadasivan’s direction ensures the nearly two-hour runtime “never drags as he layers one subplot over another,” demonstrating sophisticated narrative construction.
General Critical Consensus: Critics unanimously praise the film’s technical excellence, with particular commendation for production design (Jothish Shankar), cinematography (Shehnad Jalal), sound design (Jayadevan Chakkadath), makeup (Ronex Xavier), and music composition (Christo Xavier). The critical response emphasizes that “horror has almost become a joke in Indian cinema,” making Sadasivan’s intelligent approach and craftsmanship particularly valuable.
Production and Technical Excellence
Producers: Chakravarthy Ramachandra and S. Sashikanth | Production Companies: Night Shift Studios and YNOT Studios
Cinematography: Shehnad Jalal (described as “sublime” and “visual richness”) | Music and Soundtracks: Christo Xavier | Sound Design: Jayadevan Chakkadath | Makeup: Ronex Xavier | Production Design: Jothish Shankar (ensuring “no frame appears incomplete or lacking”) | Editing: Shafique Mohamed Ali (noted for “razor-edged” precision)
Where to Watch: Theatrical and Streaming
Current Status (Theatrical): Dies Irae is currently in theatrical release across Malayalam-speaking regions, particularly in Kerala. The film continues to draw audiences with strong occupancy rates reported across all time slots, particularly in evening and night shows (36.10% to 47.65% occupancy on day 4).
Streaming Release: The film’s OTT partnership and streaming release date have not yet been officially announced by makers. Industry projections suggest that Dies Irae will become available on a digital streaming platform by late November 2025 or the first week of December 2025, following its theatrical run. This timing aligns with standard Malayalam film release strategies.
Expected Streaming Platforms: While not confirmed, Dies Irae will likely be available on major Malayalam streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or regional platforms depending on distribution agreements.
Final Verdict
Dies Irae represents a significant achievement in Malayalam horror cinema and Indian cinema more broadly. Director Rahul Sadasivan has crafted an intelligent, atmospheric psychological horror film that treats its audience with respect, refusing easy scares in favor of earned suspense. Pranav Mohanlal’s mature, restrained performance demonstrates considerable growth as an actor under a director who understands his strengths. The film’s technical excellence—from cinematography to production design to sound engineering—establishes it as a prestige horror production that rivals international genre cinema.
The box office success—establishing a record for A-rated Malayalam films and positioning the film as the third-biggest opening of 2025—suggests that audiences are hungry for intelligent, well-crafted horror cinema. Whether experienced theatrically now or on a streaming platform in coming weeks, Dies Irae is essential viewing for horror enthusiasts and fans of sophisticated, character-driven storytelling.
