This Malayalam Thriller Keeps You Guessing Till the End – Is ‘Balan: The Boy’ the Surprise Hit of the Year?

Movie Name: Balan-The Boy

Release Date: June 19, 2026
Starring: Adhisheshan KR, Farzana Palathingal, Muhammed Zinaan, Dolly June, Tovino Thomas, Jean Paul Lal, Girish AD & Beena Antony
Director: Chidambaram
Producers: Venkat K Narayana, Shailaja Desai Fenn
Music Director: Sushin Shyam
Cinematographer: Shyju Khalid ISC
Editor: Vivek Harshan

Related Links: Trailer

Even before its theatrical release, Balan: The Boy generated significant buzz as it united two highly acclaimed filmmakers—director Chidambaram and writer Jithu Madhavan. With both filmmakers earning praise for their recent works, expectations were naturally high. The film has finally arrived in theatres, including its Telugu dubbed version. So, does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.

Story:

Set in Kannur, Balan: The Boy revolves around a woman (Farzana Palathingal) who serves a prison sentence for murder alongside her young son (Adhisheshan KR) in a special sub-jail.

After completing her sentence, she begins living under different identities, constantly moving from one place to another and taking up various jobs to survive. Her son grows up accepting this unusual lifestyle as normal, unaware of the truth behind their constant relocation and changing identities.

Things take an unexpected turn when she starts working as the caretaker of a 70-year-old woman. A person connected to her past discovers her whereabouts, triggering a series of surprising developments.

Why is she living under different identities? Will her son eventually uncover the truth? Who are they really? The answers form the rest of this intriguing story.

Plus Points:

The film’s biggest strength is its fascinating premise. On paper, the story may appear simple, but Jithu Madhavan’s screenplay elevates it to another level. The narrative unfolds gradually, allowing viewers to slowly immerse themselves in the lives of the characters. Interestingly, just as the young boy becomes accustomed to his mother’s fabricated stories and shifting identities, the audience also settles into the film’s unique rhythm.

Another major highlight is the film’s unpredictability. Several scenes seem to be heading toward familiar territory, only to take unexpected turns. The writers smartly use audience expectations and character setups to create these surprises.

The interval sequence, the police station episode in the early stages of the second half, and the climactic twist stand out as some of the film’s best moments. These scenes are executed effectively and leave a strong impact.

Adhisheshan KR delivers an outstanding performance and proves to be one of the film’s biggest assets. He effortlessly captures both the innocence and sharp intelligence of his character. His expressive eyes and subtle reactions add emotional weight to many crucial scenes.

Farzana Palathingal is equally impressive as the mother. As the story progresses, new layers of her character are revealed, constantly changing how viewers perceive her. Her emotional complexity and unpredictable behavior add an unsettling quality to the narrative, making her performance one of the film’s strongest pillars.

Shyju Khalid’s cinematography and Sushin Shyam’s music play a vital role in creating the film’s immersive atmosphere. Both significantly enhance the storytelling and help maintain audience engagement throughout.

Jean Paul Lal performs his role effectively, while Tovino Thomas makes a memorable extended cameo that leaves a lasting impression.

Minus Points:

The film’s biggest challenge is its slow pacing. While the measured narration suits the nature of the story, it may not work for everyone. The film takes its time to develop characters and situations, which requires patience and investment from the audience.

With a runtime of nearly 147 minutes, certain portions feel longer than necessary. A few scenes communicate information that could have been conveyed more efficiently. Trimming these stretches would have improved the film’s overall momentum and reduced the occasional feeling of drag.

Technical Aspects:

After the success of Manjummel Boys, director Chidambaram once again delivers a commendable effort. Instead of functioning as a conventional thriller, the film explores psychological trauma and emotional conflicts, giving it a distinctive identity.

A major reason the film remains engaging is Jithu Madhavan’s screenplay, which consistently keeps viewers curious about what will happen next.

On the technical front, the cinematography, music, production design, and casting choices are all impressive and contribute positively to the overall experience. The Telugu dubbing, which had drawn criticism when the trailer was released, has been significantly improved and blends well with the final product.

However, Vivek Harshan’s editing could have been sharper, especially during some of the film’s slower sections where the pacing tends to dip.

Verdict:

Overall, Balan: The Boy is a solid psychological thriller that benefits immensely from the brilliant performances of Adhisheshan KR and Farzana Palathingal. Jithu Madhavan’s gripping screenplay and Chidambaram’s thoughtful direction work hand in hand to create an emotionally layered and engaging experience.

That said, the slow-paced storytelling and a few overextended sequences prevent the film from reaching greater heights. Nevertheless, viewers who enjoy unconventional psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives are likely to appreciate what the film has to offer. Others may find it a decent one-time watch with a few memorable moments.