Drishyam 3 Review: Mohanlal Carries Emotional Franchise Finale Amid Mixed Reactions
Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3 has finally arrived in theatres after months of anticipation, fan speculation, and intense curiosity surrounding the future of Georgekutty, one of Indian cinema’s most iconic thriller characters. Released on May 21 to coincide with Mohanlal’s birthday celebrations, the third instalment in Jeethu Joseph’s acclaimed franchise opened to packed shows, strong social media buzz, and impressive worldwide advance bookings. At the same time, the film has sparked divided opinions among critics, many of whom praised Mohanlal’s performance while questioning whether the screenplay could match the brilliance of the earlier films.
The return of Georgekutty has once again placed Malayalam cinema firmly in the national spotlight. Fans flooded social media with early reactions within hours of the first screenings, celebrating the film’s emotional tension, dramatic interval sequence, and Mohanlal’s screen presence. Critics, however, delivered a more measured response, arguing that while the emotional depth remains intact, the suspense and narrative sharpness that defined Drishyam and Drishyam 2 are not as consistently effective this time around.
Drishyam 3 Review: Georgekutty Returns With Greater Emotional Weight
The latest chapter continues years after the events of Drishyam 2, with Georgekutty and his family still trapped under the long shadow of the crime that changed their lives forever. While the family appears to have moved forward on the surface, the emotional scars remain deeply visible. Georgekutty, once a modest cable television operator, has now become a successful film producer and has even made a movie inspired by his own life story. Yet success has not brought peace. Fear, anxiety, and suspicion continue to dominate the family’s existence.
A major emotional thread in the story revolves around Georgekutty’s elder daughter Anju, whose traumatic past continues to affect her personal life. Marriage proposals repeatedly collapse because of rumours surrounding the family, adding another layer of emotional pressure inside the household. Several reviews observed that Jeethu Joseph deliberately focuses more on the psychological consequences of the family’s past actions rather than building the story entirely around shocking twists and suspense reveals.
That emotional burden is most visible through Mohanlal’s performance. Reviewers repeatedly highlighted how the actor portrays Georgekutty as a man who is exhausted from years of living in fear. The once razor-sharp strategist now appears older, quieter, and emotionally drained, though still determined to protect his family at any cost. Critics praised Mohanlal’s restrained acting style, pointing to his silences, fleeting glances, and understated expressions as some of the film’s strongest moments.
One review described the film as “a Mohanlal show all the way”, noting that the superstar’s performance remains the emotional backbone of the story even when the screenplay struggles to maintain tension.
Fans Praise Emotional Moments and Interval Block
Audience reactions on X were significantly more enthusiastic than many critical reviews. Soon after the first screenings began, fans started sharing their responses online, with many describing the film’s interval sequence as “absolute cinema” and celebrating Georgekutty’s return to the big screen.
Several viewers praised the film’s emotional treatment, saying it retained the same family-centred storytelling style that made the first two instalments so successful. Others highlighted Mohanlal’s entry scenes and emotional moments as major crowd-pleasing highlights inside theatres.
Many fans also appreciated the film’s slower narrative approach, arguing that the gradual build-up increased emotional engagement before the larger developments in the second half. One viewer called the first half “tight” while praising the suspense-filled interval block that reportedly leaves audiences anticipating the climax.
Not all reactions were entirely positive, however. Some viewers admitted that the pacing felt slower compared to the earlier films and argued that the thriller elements lacked the same intensity associated with the franchise. A few audience members expressed disappointment over the reduced number of major twists, particularly given the expectations built by the earlier instalments.
Critics Divided Over Jeethu Joseph’s Screenplay
While Mohanlal’s performance has received widespread praise, the screenplay itself has become the most debated aspect of Drishyam 3.
Several reviews argued that Jeethu Joseph prioritises emotional drama and character study over the intricate suspense mechanics that made the earlier films cultural phenomena. Critics noted that the first half unfolds deliberately slowly, similar to Drishyam 2, but lacks the same payoff through unpredictable twists and tightly layered storytelling.
One major review rated the film 2.5 stars and stated that although the emotional evolution of Georgekutty was compelling, the screenplay failed to sustain the level of tension audiences expected. The lengthy runtime and slower pacing were also highlighted as factors that tested viewer patience during certain stretches of the film.
Another review described Drishyam 3 as the least effective entry in the trilogy, criticising what it called heavy-handed drama and a dated visual style. Still, the same review acknowledged that Mohanlal’s interpretation of Georgekutty ultimately prevents the film from collapsing under the weight of its own expectations.
Critics also noted that the climax delivers some of the strongest moments in the film, with several reviewers wishing the same level of dramatic intensity had been maintained throughout the entire runtime. Despite these criticisms, many acknowledged that the film succeeds in exploring the emotional and psychological consequences of living with a buried secret for years.
Massive Advance Bookings Signal Huge Box Office Start
Regardless of the mixed critical reception, Drishyam 3 has already emerged as a major commercial success story even before the completion of its opening day.
Trade reports indicate that the film closed its worldwide first-day advance bookings at approximately ₹35 crore gross, placing it on course for a possible ₹50 crore worldwide opening.
The overseas market has contributed heavily to the film’s extraordinary early momentum. International advance bookings reportedly crossed ₹22 crore, with particularly strong demand in the Gulf region, North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Kerala alone contributed around ₹8.5 crore in pre-sales, making it one of the strongest booking performances ever recorded for a Malayalam film in the state.
Weekend advance bookings have also crossed ₹48 crore globally, suggesting that audience interest is extending well beyond opening day hype. Industry observers believe nostalgia, franchise loyalty, and Mohanlal’s enduring popularity have combined to create one of the biggest Malayalam releases in recent years.
Drishyam 3 Review Reflects the Weight of Franchise Expectations
The conversation surrounding Drishyam 3 ultimately reflects the enormous expectations attached to the franchise itself. The original Drishyam redefined the Indian thriller genre with its tightly constructed narrative and unforgettable twists, while Drishyam 2 strengthened that legacy by successfully expanding Georgekutty’s story years later.
With the third instalment, Jeethu Joseph appears more interested in examining the emotional aftermath of crime rather than simply repeating the formula of constant twists and revelations. That creative decision may divide audiences, but it also gives the film a more reflective and emotionally heavy tone compared to its predecessors.
Even among criticism directed at the screenplay, one element remains almost universally acknowledged: Mohanlal’s performance continues to anchor the franchise. His portrayal of Georgekutty once again reminds audiences why the character has become one of the most memorable figures in modern Indian cinema.
Whether Drishyam 3 ultimately reaches the legendary status of the earlier films will depend on audience response over the coming weeks. What is already clear, however, is that Georgekutty’s return has once again become one of the biggest cinematic talking points of the year.
