Narivetta Movie Review: When a Uniform Becomes a Burden Too Heavy to Bear

Image Source- The Hindu

You know those films that don’t yell for your attention, but instead sit quietly with you, asking questions you’re not ready to answer? Narivetta is exactly that kind of film. Now streaming on SonyLIV after its theatrical release in May, this Malayalam drama hits you not with noise, but with its quiet, persistent heartbreak. Based on the real-life 2003 Muthanga tribal protest in Kerala, it’s not an easy watch, but it’s one you won’t forget.

I went in expecting a political drama, maybe some fiery speeches and courtroom showdowns. But what I found was far more intimate. Narivetta is about conscience. About the weight of a uniform. And about the lines that blur between duty and humanity when justice itself feels absent.

Plot: Orders, Outrage, and a Crisis of Conscience

Tovino Thomas (Varghese Peter), a young CRPF constable who is posted to the forests of Wayanad. Things there are tense. The Adivasi communities are fighting for their homes, and the government is responding with force instead of understanding. Varghese, fresh to the force, believes in what he’s doing. But soon, he’s forced to see the cracks.

What starts off as just another posting slowly becomes a personal nightmare. He witnesses the kind of stuff that can really shake your sense of right and wrong. Forced evictions, protestors being silenced, families losing everything. At one point, you start wondering if being a "good officer" is the same as being a good human being.

Two other characters help carry this emotional weight: Basheer (Suraj Venjaramoodu), a senior constable who’s seen it all and questions everything quietly, and DIG Keshavadas (Cheran), the calm, composed face of authority. Neither of them is your classic villain. They’re part of a flawed system, which makes the whole thing feel way too real.

There’s also CK Shanthi (Arya Salim), inspired by real-life activist C.K. Janu. She’s not about big speeches, but when she speaks, it lands. Her character brings a grounded resistance that balances the emotional weight of the story.

Performances: Honest, Nuanced, and Deeply Felt

Tovino Thomas delivers one of his most restrained performances as Varghese Peter. He doesn’t raise his voice or rely on dramatic moments; instead, it’s the quiet unraveling of a man stuck between duty and conscience that stays with you. You see his transformation not through speeches, but through his eyes, his silence, and the way he starts questioning the very uniform he once wore with pride. It’s raw, vulnerable, and incredibly moving.

Suraj Venjaramoodu brings quiet wisdom as Head Constable Basheer. His performance is grounded and mature, the kind that doesn’t seek attention but becomes unforgettable anyway. He plays a man who’s seen too much, said too little, and learned how to survive in a system that often forgets its soul.

Cheran as DIG Keshavadas gives a solid performance as the face of the bureaucratic system. There’s no villainy here, just cold authority, and that’s what makes it more real. And Arya Salim, portraying a character inspired by CK Janu, offers dignity and strength in every scene. Her controlled intensity adds weight to the tribal resistance without slipping into clichés.

Direction & Writing: Slow-Burning and Thoughtfully Layered

Anuraj Manohar’s direction stands out for its sensitivity. He doesn’t go for shock value or melodrama. Instead, he quietly builds tension, allowing the audience to feel the emotional and ethical storm brewing beneath the surface. His decision to keep the tone grounded makes the story feel all the more real. This isn’t a spectacle, it’s a slow unraveling of truth.

The screenplay, written by Abin Joseph, is subtle and quietly powerful. There’s a deliberate stillness in the way scenes unfold. You’re not given easy answers; instead, you’re asked to sit with the discomfort. The writing trusts the audience to connect the dots and reflect on the moral complexities without spelling everything out.

The film’s first half focuses on atmosphere and character setup, which might feel slow to some, but that pace pays off in the second half when emotional stakes rise. It’s this slow build that makes Varghese’s internal conflict feel real and earned.

Music & Visuals: Hauntingly Beautiful and Unintrusive

Jakes Bejoy’s music is exactly what a film like Narivetta needs: subtle, atmospheric, and emotionally charged without overpowering the narrative. The score lingers like a soft ache, echoing the helplessness and quiet anger that runs through the story. It enhances the mood without ever demanding attention, especially during the film’s more introspective moments.

Vijay’s cinematography captures Wayanad in all its raw beauty, with misty mornings, earthy landscapes, and dense forests that feel both serene and suffocating. You don’t just see the land; you feel the weight it carries. His lens never romanticizes the setting but shows it as it is, layered, living, and conflicted.

Shameer Muhammed’s editing does a great job of balancing the slow pacing with emotional depth. Transitions are smooth, and scenes are given enough breathing space to let viewers absorb what’s happening. The second half tightens up beautifully, leading to an ending that leaves you with more questions than answers in the best way.

Final Thoughts: This Isn’t Just a Movie — It’s a Question

Narivetta isn’t your typical weekend watch. It’s the kind of film that stays with you. That makes you think. That makes you feel just a little uncomfortable with how easy it is to look the other way.

It reminded me of how often we excuse things by saying "just doing my job." But what happens when that job clashes with your conscience? When do you wear a uniform that suddenly feels too heavy?

If you’re in the mood for something that challenges you, that sits quietly in your chest long after the credits roll, Narivetta is absolutely worth it.

Also, if you’re in the mood for something lighter yet deeply heartfelt, don’t miss my review of Moonwalk — a beautiful Malayalam film that celebrates friendship, rebellion, and the joy of dance. It's streaming now on JioHotstar, and I promise, it’s worth your time.

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