Mrithyunjay Review: Sree Vishnu’s Dark Crime Thriller Has a Gripping Second Half… But Does the First Half Hold It Back?

Release Date: March 06, 2026
Cast: Sree Vishnu, Reba Monica John, Baby Uha, Sudharshan, Raccha Ravi, Ayyappa, Sijju, Aishwarya, Balaaditya, Krishna Koushik, Nandha Gopal, Mrinchi Madhavi
Director: Sri Hussain Sha Kiran
Producers: Sandeep Gunnam & Vinay Chilakapati
Music: Kaala Bhairava
Cinematography: Vidya Sagar Chinta
Editor: Sreekar Prasad

Related Links: Trailer

Just a week after Vishnu Vinyasam, Sree Vishnu is back with another release—this time a crime thriller titled Mrithyunjay. We caught the exclusive premiere of the film, and here’s what we think about this intense new outing.

Story

Jay, also known as Mrithyunjay (Sree Vishnu), works at the Swecha Newspaper. His job is quite unusual—he collects obituary advertisements for the paper. While Jay is good at what he does, he dreams of moving to the Crime Bureau department. Unfortunately, he’s turned down because he supposedly lacks the required experience and skills.

One day, while visiting a family to collect an obituary ad, Jay notices something suspicious about the death being reported. His curiosity gets the better of him, and he starts digging deeper. What begins as a small doubt slowly turns into a full-fledged investigation, eventually leading Jay to a powerful and dangerous force.

What exactly did Jay discover? And how far will he go to uncover the truth?

Plus Points

Sree Vishnu has mostly entertained audiences in recent years with comedy dramas, thanks to his sharp dialogue delivery and excellent comic timing. But Mrithyunjay reminds us that he is capable of much more than just comedy.

It’s refreshing to see him step away from his usual style and take on a serious role filled with emotion and intensity. The motivation behind his character’s investigation is convincing, which helps the story feel grounded and sincere.

Another strong point of the film is its villain. Played by Veer Aaryan, the antagonist is both well-written and effectively portrayed. He’s not just a typical villain but someone who is just as intelligent as the hero. The mind games between the two characters in the second half create an engaging cat-and-mouse dynamic that keeps viewers hooked.

Reba Monica John plays an important role as a cop, and she delivers a solid performance. Her action sequences toward the climax are stylish and impactful, making her presence felt.

A refreshing aspect of the movie is that it avoids unnecessary subplots. There are no forced romantic tracks or distracting side stories, allowing the narrative to stay focused on the main investigation.

Minus Points

While Mrithyunjay is a sincere attempt, it doesn’t fully reach its potential due to a few drawbacks—mainly in the early portions of the film.

The initial setup, where the story introduces the protagonist and his world, isn’t very engaging. Much of the first half feels underwhelming, and the film truly starts picking up pace only around the pre-interval stage.

There are also noticeable pacing issues during the first hour. Some scenes featuring Sree Vishnu and his friends could have been handled better to maintain the film’s momentum.

Additionally, the core concept itself isn’t particularly groundbreaking. Viewers expecting a highly unique or unpredictable storyline might find it somewhat familiar.

Technical Aspects

Kaala Bhairava’s background score plays a major role in elevating the film. His music adds intensity to the tense moments and keeps the atmosphere gripping.

Vidya Sagar Chinta’s cinematography is impressive, especially during the interval and climax sequences, which are shot effectively. The film also boasts decent production values.

The editing by Sreekar Prasad is serviceable but could have been sharper, particularly in the first half.

Director Sri Hussain Sha Kiran shows clear promise with this project. The way he stages the intellectual battle between the hero and the villain is engaging and demonstrates his potential as a filmmaker. However, the weaker first half prevents the film from becoming truly impactful.

Verdict

Overall, Mrithyunjay is a decent crime thriller built on a simple storyline. It’s great to see Sree Vishnu exploring a different genre, and he delivers a solid performance. Reba Monica John and Veer Aaryan also shine in their respective roles.

The film becomes quite engaging in the second half, especially when the hero and villain start trying to outsmart each other. However, the dull first half reduces the overall impact.

If you enjoy crime thrillers and are curious to see Sree Vishnu in a serious role, Mrithyunjay is worth watching for its honest attempt.