Horror Fun Ride: Mathew Thomas’s ‘Nellikkampoyil Night Riders’ Opens to Strong Reviews as Rural Thriller
Kochi: Nellikkampoyil Night Riders, the horror-comedy-thriller directed by newcomer Noufal Abdullah and starring Mathew Thomas, has opened to positive audience reception and continues its run in theaters. The film, which integrates fantasy elements, is based in the fictional village of Nellikkampoyil, located on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
The narrative begins at a gentle pace, exploring the love and friendship dynamics of the border village in the 1970s, narrated through the voiceover of Shyam (Mathew Thomas), a young man studying in Bangalore.
The plot centers on the deep-seated fear shared by the villagers, who are devout believers in myths and the presence of unseen forces. This communal fear escalates with the arrival of a terrifying, night-traveling entity with “horse hooves,” which begins to threaten their lives.
Shyam, who is generally afraid of the dark, returns home from Bangalore just as tales of this new menacing presence circulate. He is forced to join his friends in a courageous attempt to drive the malevolent presence out of Nellikkampoyil. The suspense of the film lies in whether Shyam, the protagonist paralyzed by fear of the dark, will succeed in capturing the ‘horse-hoofed night traveler.’
Fresh Visuals and Chemistry
Director Noufal Abdullah has effectively utilized the rural setting, featuring paddy fields and hills in the Palakkad countryside, which perfectly suits the horror-comedy genre. The cinematography is commendable, providing the audience with a fresh visual experience. The background score, composed by Neha Nair and Yakzan Gary Pereira, heightens the suspense.
The chemistry among the three friends—Shyam, Rajeshettan (Sharath Sabha), and Kannan (Roshan Shanawas)—is a major highlight, perfectly balancing the elements of comedy and fear. Meenakshi Unnikrishnan, who plays Shyam’s love interest Divya, also delivers a strong performance. Noteworthy supporting roles are played by Abu Salim and Vishnu Agasthya.
The screenplay, penned by Jyothish and A.V. Sunu, is packed with ingredients to keep the audience engaged for its two-hour duration. Noufal Abdullah himself handled the editing. Audiences have praised the film for its fresh theme, tight direction, engaging music, and Mathew Thomas’s excellent performance, noting that the movie maintains a good pace without unnecessary lag.
