Maranamass is a dark comedy thriller that unfolds during a chaotic night bus journey where a notorious serial killer, quirky passengers, and unexpected love stories collide. With a blend of suspense, satire, and slapstick, the film turns a simple commute into a deadly and hilarious ride
Maranamass is a quirky, genre-crossing Malayalam dark comedy thriller that redefines the cusp for road trip films. Strung out nearly all on a midnight bus racing through the Kerala landscape, the film assembles an unlikely cast of travelers—such as a naively sentimental, a mysterious woman, a rogue cop, and a serial killer dubbed the "Banana Killer."
Basil Joseph-directed, the movie expertly walks the line between suspense and goofy humor, gradually unveiling the twisted connections between its characters. One of the standout releases in the new OTT batch, Maranamass is a completely bonkers ride that breaks all boundaries between crime, comedy, and anarchy. Streaming currently on SonyLIV, the movie is released in several Indian languages for broader audiences.
Murder on Route Mayhem: A Bus Ride to Remember
What is meant to be a ordinary night bus ride then becomes a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in Maranamass. Luke P.P. takes the bus to go somewhere with his girlfriend Jessy and is not aware danger awaits around the corner. Among the irregular commuters is the infamous "Banana Killer," a sadistic serial killer who hides behind a plain face.
With each stoppage, tensions escalate—unseemly unions are formed, identities are laid bare, and secrets spill. Meanwhile, a relentless DySP, Ajay Ramachandran, fights against the clock to sever the killer before the next strike. While chaos brews in the small bus cabin, Maranamass transforms an overnight trip into a high-risk war zone where laughter, fear, and blood collide at breakneck pace.
Maranamass Review: Death Rides Shotgun on a Hysterical Highway to Hell
A refreshing twist on crime, humor, and chaos, Maranamass is a bold Malayalam film that careens into dark territories with flashlights blindingly flashing sarcasm and irony. As soon as the wheels of the night bus start rolling, Maranamass brings viewers on a rollercoaster of suspense, slapstick, and serial killing.
Director Sivaprasad, making his directorial debut, is not shy to genre-mixing—mixing the action of a crime thriller with the over-the-topness of a road-trip comedy. What could have been a routine murder mystery is otherwise turned on its head, thanks to its raucous ensemble cast, witty script, and a manic plot that never lets up.
Direction & Storytelling
Sivaprasad interlaces a narrative that thrives on contrast—sentimental moments are soon dwarfed by farcical violence, and just as you settle in, the film punches you in the gut with a foul twist. The story unfolds mostly on a tourist bus, but never feels claustrophobic.
Instead, the cramped environment is employed as a pressure cooker of motives, secrets, and madness. The writing is crisp, and the nonlinearity is expertly intertwined without losing the audience.
Show-Stopping Performances
Basil Joseph as Luke P.P. infuses a boy-next-door naivety with flashes of dashing stupidity, perfectly in tune with the frenetic vibe of the film. Rajesh Madhavan's acting as the "Banana Killer" is one that sends shivers down your spine, but also has an odd sense of humor to it, rendering him both a villain and a dark comedian.
Anishma Anilkumar as Jessy brings emotional depth, and Babu Antony's DySP Ajay Ramachandran owns the screen with his gruff-around-the-edges appeal and no-prisoners attitude. All are actors, including those playing support roles, contribute to the overall sense of controlled chaos in the movie.
Music & Cinematics
The score is snappy and up-tempo, mirroring the irreverent tone of the film. The camerawork embodies the tension on the bus through close-ups and panning movements that make the audience uncomfortable. Abrupt silences interrupted by fits of laughter or violence create a rhythm that is akin to a drop in a dirty EDM track.
Blade of Humor
What sets Maranamass apart is the ability to laugh at death—literally. The film is filled with scenes where you have no clue whether to gasp or laugh.
From monologues that seem surreal to dance battles that erupt spontaneously in the middle of a murder investigation, the film catches you off guard with its twists, which catch more frequently than not. It's this chutzpah that makes Maranamass memorable—it entertains, it surprises.
Conclusion
Maranamass is an unconventional ride that seamlessly combines dark humor and thriller genres, underlining that Malayalam cinema is still exploring new creative frontiers. With an incisive script, gripping performances, and a literally out-of-bounds, wildly unpredictable storyline, it makes a routine bus ride an arena for carnage, hilarity, and homicide.
A must-watch for those who enjoy offbeat narration and unconventional cinema risks, this movie is. Board now, but beware—this is no regular journey. Maranamass is live now on SonyLIV, and it's that OTT delight which will neither let you down nor leave you dissatisfied.