Empuraan Review: Mohanlal & Prithviraj's Film Parades Grandeur But Fails To Craft A Compelling Narrative

Empuraan Review: Empuraan (L2: Empuraan), the sequel to Lucifer (2019), is a Malayalam action thriller directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and written by Murali Gopy. Produced by Aashirvad Cinemas and Sree Gokulam Movies and presented by Lyca Productions, the film expands the saga of Khureshi Ab'raam/Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal) and Zayed Masood (Prithviraj Sukumaran). Featuring a star-studded cast, including Abhimanyu Singh, Tovino Thomas, Jerome Flynn, and Manju Warrier, Empuraan hit theaters worldwide on March 27, 2025, in standard, IMAX, and EPIQ formats.

As the highly anticipated sequel to the commercially successful Lucifer (2019), Empuraan carried enormous expectations and reportedly saw massive presales, particularly from Mohanlal's ardent fans. Given the actor's recent string of underwhelming films, audiences eagerly awaited a strong comeback. However, despite its grand scale, Empuraan struggles to meet those expectations, delivering a disappointing experience.

Ambition vs. Execution

Empuraan is undeniably ambitious, boasting an ensemble cast of national and international actors, multiple filming locations across the globe, and high production values. The film's massive budget is evident on-screen, making it one of the grandest productions in Malayalam cinema. However, it suffers from a fundamental flaw: weak writing.

Prithviraj attempts to enhance the film's visual grandeur by scaling up the mise en scène, striving for a cinematic spectacle. However, without a compelling narrative to support it, his efforts fall flat.

One of the film's biggest shortcomings is its reliance on a templated revenge-action drama that expands Zayed Masood's (Prithviraj Sukumaran) storyline. As a leading commando in Khureshi Ab'raam/Stephen Nedumpally's (Mohanlal) mercenary group, his arc takes center stage. Meanwhile, the primary plot, which aims to further develop Khureshi Ab'raam's narrative, ends up feeling like a rehash of Lucifer's high points rather than offering anything truly new. This repetition makes Empuraan underwhelming instead of engaging.

For instance, Priyadarshini Ramdas (Manju Warrier) is given moments reminiscent of Jathin Ramdas's (Tovino Thomas) role in Lucifer, yet they fail to leave an impact. Similarly, in Empuraan, Jathin Ramdas follows a character trajectory similar to Bimal 'Bobby' Nair's in Lucifer, but with even less effect.

In Lucifer, the characters were neatly written, with strong arcs and an air of mystery surrounding Stephen Nedumpally/Khureshi Ab'raam that kept audiences intrigued. In Empuraan, however, all the characters suffer from weak writing, making them feel shallow and reducing their impact on the narrative.

A Lacking Antagonist & Uninspired Conflict

The film intertwines revenge, crime, and political drama-similar to Lucifer, but on a larger scale. However, the writing falters, failing to create the emotional depth needed to sustain audience engagement. Zayed Masood's storyline, which drives the opening act, becomes tedious over time, failing to generate the excitement expected from such a pivotal character arc.

Another major drawback is the absence of a strong antagonist. Lucifer had a compelling villain in Bimal "Bobby" Nair (Vivek Oberoi), but Empuraan introduces multiple antagonists, including international drug cartel leaders, right-wing politician Balraj (Abhimanyu Singh), and corrupt chief minister Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas). Yet, none of them bring enough tension or menace to make the story gripping.

Grand But Hollow

From a production standpoint, Empuraan is undeniably grand, showcasing expansive world-building. However, its visual spectacle often overshadows the storytelling. While Prithviraj had a distinct approach with Lucifer, Empuraan appears heavily influenced by the current trend of pan-Indian spectacles, borrowing stylistic elements from recent blockbusters, particularly those of directors like Prashanth Neel. The film prioritizes slow-motion mass action sequences and large-scale set pieces over narrative coherence and character depth, ultimately weakening its core.

Another major flaw lies in the film's editing. For example, scenes featuring multiple helicopters and bomb blasts-while clearly expensive-are captured from every possible angle. The prolonged showcasing of these shots gives the impression that the filmmakers wanted to include every frame of the costly shoot, ultimately diminishing their impact. Such excessive and extended visuals not only weaken the sense of wonder and surprise but also disrupt the film's pacing.

The Mohanlal Factor

Perhaps the most significant issue is the weak writing of Khureshi Ab'raam/Stephen Nedumpally's character, played by Mohanlal. His screen time is limited-much like in Lucifer-but while his presence loomed over the narrative in the first film, Empuraan fails to give him the same commanding aura. His appearances lack weight and often feel redundant, primarily consisting of issuing warnings, executing enemies with flashy guns, or taking down goons in stylized fight sequences. Beyond these moments, the depth and gravitas one expects from Mohanlal's performance are missing.

While his deadpan acting style worked in Lucifer, where it added to his enigmatic persona, here it comes across as frustrating, further diminishing the character's impact.

While Empuraan deserves credit for its ambition, it ultimately falls short due to a weak narrative and lackluster character arcs. Its grandeur alone cannot compensate for storytelling shortcomings, making it a mixed bag for audiences expecting a worthy successor to Lucifer.