In the Malayalam horror-comedy space where folklore meets farce, Sumathi Valavu movie arrives with chills and giggles, based on a real life legend that has been whispered in Kerala’s rural areas for long. Directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar and written by Abhilash Pillai (the same duo who made Malikappuram), this 2025 release starring Arjun Ashokan tries to walk the tightrope between scares and laughs. Set in the misty borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the early 90s, the film is in the isolated village of Kalleli where the treacherous road bend Sumathi Valavu looms like a ghost. While it captures some nostalgic moments, Sumathi Valavu meanders more than mesmerizes.
The story is about Appu (Arjun Ashokan), a hapless young man caught in a web of family feuds and forbidden love. The village’s infamous curve, which is believed to be haunted by the vengeful spirit of a woman named Sumathi who kills anyone who crosses it after dark is the backdrop and catalyst. Appu’s love for Bhama (Malavika Manoj) the cousin of his family’s arch rival Mahesh (Balu Varghese) sets off a chain of comedic mishaps and supernatural encounters. Flashbacks to the 60s reveal the origin of the myth and a tragic tale of betrayal and loss that could have been the core of the film. But as the story branches off into subplots of village rivalries and reluctant ghost hunts the momentum falters and the titular haunt feels like an afterthought to the rom-com detours.
Arjun Ashokan carries the film with his usual charm, Appu is wide eyed and vulnerable in the lighter moments—think awkward flirting and bungled escape attempts that are slapstick Malayalam of yesteryear. He has good chemistry with Malavika Manoj, Bhama is a feisty foil who grounds the whimsy in quiet defiance. Balu Varghese as the hot headed antagonist is manic and brings the laughs in his over the top moments. Sreejith Ravi and Anagha Ravi as the supporting cast add flavor to the film, they are the quirky villagers and are natural in their roles. It’s the cast’s sincerity that saves the film from being flat and makes the dull moments tolerable.
Behind the camera, Vishnu Sasi Shankar goes for a laid back, retro feel, inspired by the no-frills horror-comedies of the '90s and Romancham’s Ouija board thrills. Jomon T. John’s cinematography bathes the forest locations in a hazy, sepia tone and captures the curve’s eerie charm through drone shots and flickering lanterns. Ranjin Raj’s music has folksy beats and sudden stings but the song placements – four in total, including two lacklustre romantic interludes – disrupt the flow like speed bumps. Shameer Muhammed edits the film to 130 minutes, but the pacing suffers from those unnecessary song breaks and a second half that’s bloated with loose ends, leading to a climax that’s more confusing than satisfying.
For all its flaws, Sumathi Valavu gets points for going all in on regional superstition without going overboard. It’s not the genre-bender it wants to be, but in a landscape that craves feel-good frights, it delivers enough to curve around indifference. Watch it for the laughs, skip it if you’re looking for real haunts—this is a detour, not a dead end.
Rating: 2.5/5