I, Nobody Movie Review: Prithviraj Shines, But Can This Slow-Burn Thriller Keep You Hooked?

Movie Name: I, Nobody

Release Date: July 10, 2026

Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Hakkim Shahjahan, and others

Director: Nisam Basheer

Producers: Supriya Menon, Mukesh R. Mehta, C.V. Sarathi

Music Director: Jakes Bejoy

Cinematographer: Dinesh Purushothaman

Editor: Ramees MB

Related Links: Trailer

I, Nobody is the latest Malayalam thriller headlined by Prithviraj Sukumaran, with Parvathy Thiruvothu playing another important role. Directed by Nisam Basheer, the film has now been released in Telugu as well. Does this crime thriller deliver an engaging experience? Here's our review.

Story

Rajeev (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is a government employee who lives a peaceful life with his wife Meera (Parvathy Thiruvothu) and their two daughters. His life takes a shocking turn when three bank robbers, who escape with Rs. 17 crore, take him hostage during their getaway. The robbers eventually die, but the missing money is nowhere to be found.

Soon, the police, Rajeev's neighbours, colleagues, and everyone aware of the incident begin believing that he is connected to the robbery and knows the whereabouts of the stolen cash. Is Rajeev really involved, or is he being framed? What happened to the missing money? The film reveals the answers as the story unfolds.

Plus Points

One of the biggest strengths of I, Nobody is its simple yet meaningful message that no amount of money can replace peace of mind and a happy life. While the central idea isn't entirely new, the way it is blended with multiple subplots gives the film a refreshing feel. It also explores how social media shapes public opinion and influences people's actions in today's world.

Prithviraj Sukumaran once again proves why he is considered one of the finest actors in the industry. His restrained performance and subtle expressions, especially in the emotionally charged family scenes, leave a lasting impact.

Parvathy Thiruvothu delivers a calm and convincing performance, and her chemistry with Prithviraj works well. Hakkim Shahjahan is decent in his role, while Ashokan gets some of the film's best moments. Aira, who plays the younger daughter, brings a touch of warmth and light-heartedness whenever she appears.

While the first half has a few well-executed moments, the opening portions of the second half are more gripping and keep the narrative moving at a better pace.

Minus Points

Although the central premise isn't particularly new, the multiple subplots help the film stand out to some extent. However, a thriller of this nature needs consistently engaging storytelling, and that's where it loses momentum despite the impressive performances.

The first half moves at a slow pace, with several scenes feeling unnecessarily stretched. Although the second half begins on a promising note, it gradually loses its grip. The pre-climax, where the Chief Minister becomes part of the story, feels forced and disconnected from the main narrative. It also leaves viewers wondering whether it would really be that easy for the Chief Minister to get involved in an issue that isn't directly related to the bank robbery.

The climax is likely to leave many viewers confused rather than satisfied. Instead of delivering a memorable payoff, the open-ended ending raises more questions than it answers, making audiences wonder what happens next.

A tighter screenplay and a shorter runtime would have made the film much more engaging. Several supporting characters could have been utilised better, and a few repetitive scenes in the first half could easily have been trimmed.

Technical Aspects

Director Nisam Basheer comes up with an interesting premise and does his best to keep the story engaging. However, a sharper screenplay and tighter pacing, especially in the latter half, would have elevated the overall experience.

Dinesh Purushothaman's cinematography suits the film's mood well, while Ramees MB's editing could have been crisper by removing the repetitive portions. Jakes Bejoy delivers one of the film's biggest strengths with an outstanding background score that consistently enhances several important scenes. The production values are good, and the action choreography by Nick Ben, Kalai Kingson, and Amith Jolly Bastin deserves appreciation.

The Telugu dubbing is satisfactory. However, the opening and end credits reflect a lack of attention to detail, giving the impression that more care could have been taken. Even the signboards could have been translated into Telugu, which would have improved the viewing experience.

Verdict

Overall, I, Nobody is an average crime thriller that is elevated by Prithviraj Sukumaran's powerful performance and Jakes Bejoy's exceptional background score. However, its slow and repetitive first half, underwhelming pre-climax, and confusing open-ended climax stop it from becoming a completely satisfying thriller. If you enjoy slow-burn crime dramas, this film may still work for you. Just make sure to keep your expectations in check.