5 Best Malayalam Thriller Movies That You Should Watch Before 2023 Ends

It tells the story of how a wildlife photographer who gets lost on a jungle route and spends the night in a poor family's home, changes their life. Pakalum Paathiravum is an official remake of 2018 Kannada film Aa Karaala Ratri by Dayal Padmanabhan. The crime thriller drama directed by Ajai Vasudev. Written by Nishad K Koya along with  Dhayal Padmanabhan, the film is produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies. The cast of  Pakalum Paathiravum features Kunchacko Boban, Rajisha Vijayan, Guru Somasundaram, Gokulam Gopalan, Seetha, and Divyadarshan.

'Iratta' shines as an underappreciated treasure, captivating audiences with its gripping thrills, stellar performances, and a climactic revelation that lingers long after the film ends. Set against a puzzling murder in a police station, the storyline keeps viewers engaged, skillfully withholding secrets until the gripping finale. Directed by Rohit M.G. Krishnan, this crime thriller features Joju George, Arya Salim, and Srikant Murali in prominent roles.

The movie portrays a political party's influence over the police force and how a family becomes entangled with the party after seeking its support. It doesn't follow the typical hero-heroine storyline. While violence is present, it's portrayed without excessive brutality, offering a sense of relief. The film was  written and directed by Hemanth G Nair, and featured Suraj Venjarammoodu and Dhyan Sreenivasan in the lead roles.

Garudan  is one of the best investigative thriller Malayalam movies released this year. The film brims with riveting action sequences, mystery, and powerful, impactful dialogues. Its storyline orbits around Harish and Nishanth, portrayed by Suresh Gopi and Biju Menon. Suresh Gopi shines as Harish, a cop retiring midway through the film, while Biju Menon captivates with his nuanced portrayal of Professor Nishanth.

The film centers around the romantic relationship between Rekha and Arjun who deeply care for each other.  Rekha lives with her parents after attending a sports school, and Arjun helps his family out by working at their stationery store. The story centers on a crucial evening when Arjun pays Rekha a covert visit; the events that follow drastically alter Rekha's life. The movie is packed with excessive violence, rapid close-ups, and a flurry of fast-paced scenes throughout. Vincy Aloshious garnered widespread praise for her outstanding portrayal in the film, earning her the prestigious Kerala State Best Actress Award for her exceptional performance. Under the banner of Stone Bench Films, the movie was directed by Jithin Issac Thomas and produced by Kaarthekeyen Santhanam.