Karam tries to deliver an emotional action-thriller on human trafficking but suffers from weak writing, predictable storytelling, and inconsistent tone. While the film’s cinematography and production values shine, the narrative fails to engage, leaving it as an underwhelming watch.
Plot
Dev Mahendran (Noble Babu Thomas), a disgraced ex-army officer, tries to move on with his new family. During a trip abroad, he discovers that his former lover Sana (Audrey Miriam) has fallen victim to a trafficking network. Determined to save her, he takes on a dangerous mission against powerful criminals, but the story unfolds with far too many coincidences and predictable twists.
Strengths
- Visual Appeal: Jomon T. John’s cinematography and Ranjan Abraham’s editing bring polish, giving Lenarco a believable atmosphere.
- Supporting Cast: Audrey Miriam as Sana adds depth, while Reshma Sebastian and Kalabhavan Shajohn contribute sincere performances.
- Production Value: The film looks slick, with well-designed sets and occasionally gripping action choreography.
Weaknesses
- Shallow Writing: The screenplay leans heavily on coincidences and clichés, offering little freshness or emotional weight.
- Flat Characters: Dev’s journey lacks conviction, and the villain André (Ivan Vukomanović) is underwritten.
- Tone Issues: Forced humour, especially Baburaj’s comedy track, clashes with the dark theme of trafficking.
- Music Missteps: Shaan Rahman’s background score is overused, often drowning out quieter, impactful moments.
Direction & Style
Vineeth Sreenivasan’s attempt to revisit the thriller space shows ambition, but unlike Thira, the emotional stakes never rise high enough. The stylish frames and action sequences briefly impress but are undermined by a lack of narrative grip.
Verdict
Karam had the potential to be a gripping story of redemption and survival but ends up as a technically competent yet emotionally hollow film. With a predictable script and weak character arcs, it remains a missed opportunity.
Bullseye Rating:★★ (2/5 stars)
Karam is now playing in theatres.
