Film Review: Mr X

A film with a star-studded cast, breakneck pace in the screenplay, an innovative story and helmed by a director who has directed an impressive thriller, ought to ensure that the film becomes this year’s number 1 box-office hit. However, Mr X – despite having all these ingredients – struggles to keep itself alive.

It is difficult to work out why Mr X fails to impress, but there are some isolated factors that contribute to the film’s downfall.

It appears that Manu Anand, who made a promising debut in the 2022 thriller F.I.R, has tried to make a Hollywood-type action thriller. High octane action sequences, a modern story with global impact and a rapid pace in the screenplay were meant to astound audiences, but the total lack of nativity weighs the film down throughout its duration.

Secondly, in ensuring a rapid pace in the screenplay, Manu Anand has sacrificed the development of his major characters. Without this key factor, it is difficult to empathise with the characters, as there simply is not enough time in the screenplay for the audiences to relate to any of the characters.

Lazy writing and a casual attitude to continuity and logical development make it very difficult for the audience to care enough about the story or its characters.

Arya puts in a spirited performance, and his physical preparation for this role is more than evident, but the poorly-written character is unable to make a meaningful impact on the audience.

Sarath Kumar is given a key role, but his screen time and the rushed sequences relegate his character to a secondary one.

Manu Warrier deadpans most of her lines and her facial expressions, body language and gait all suggest that this was a role she was doing only out of a sense of duty to someone. Her lack of emotional grounding to her role is a major blemish in the film, considering the extended screen time offered to her character.

The star of the film is undoubtedly Gautham Ram Karthik, whose maturation as an actor is simply astounding. His portrayal of the twisted Amaran is the film’s most memorable character and this is so purely because of the brilliant performance that takes his body language, facial expressions and voice intonations well beyond the confines of the script. Had other members of the cast done the same, the result would have been remarkably different.

Great character artists like Jayaprakash and Kaali Venkat are lost in the mud of mediocrity in the script. Athulya Ravi, Anagha and Raiza Wilson make superhuman efforts in their respective roles but are unable to salvage the film.

Arul Vincent’s cinematography is a jaw-dropping work of art in every scene, making creative use of light and using extended shots in unusual ways throughout the film. His work in the action sequence in the auto and the underwater sequence reach world class heights.

The film’s elaborate and fast-moving stunt sequences from Stunt Silva oscillate between magnificent sequences, to flawed and mediocre moments in a bizarre contradiction that defies logical explanation. Many of the stunts demand a second viewing, but these are overshadowed by the lapses evident in other stunt sequences.

Mr X had lofty and laudable intentions but the flawed execution and casual handling of the script and screenplay have resulted in a film that never quite reaches its own goals. The flawed handling could make the planned sequela distant dream.

Mr X scores 6 points out of 10.