Patriot Review: A Mammootty-Mohanlal starrer that rises above superstar gimmicks

When a film unites Malayalam cinema’s titans Mammootty and Mohanlal after nearly 18 years, expectations are bound to soar. Add to that a powerhouse ensemble featuring Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi, Indrans and Darshana Rajendran, and ‘Patriot’ naturally emerges as one of the year’s most awaited Malayalam releases. 

Written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the film hit theatres on May 1, arriving as one of Malayalam cinema’s most ambitious productions in scale, craft and narrative ambition. Yet ‘Patriot’ is not a film that bows to the pressure of stardom. Instead, it makes a bold creative choice, to prioritise narrative integrity over mass appeal, and to present its galaxy of stars not as larger-than-life heroes, but as sharply etched characters within a tense, socially relevant espionage thriller.

A slow-burning premise that finds its rhythm

Mahesh Narayanan structures ‘Patriot’ as a restrained, methodical slow burn. The first half intentionally takes its time, using meticulous world-building to introduce a sprawling network of characters, geopolitical undertones and the central threat - technology misused at a scale that can destabilise ordinary lives.

This pacing may initially feel distant from what mainstream audiences expect when walking into a film headlined by Mammootty and Mohanlal. There are no explosive introductions, no punch dialogues, no immediate adrenaline spikes. Instead, Mahesh asks viewers to settle into an unsettling, almost clinical universe where surveillance, manipulation and data warfare are the real antagonists.

By intermission, however, the pieces click into place. The screenplay tightens, the narrative shifts gears, and the interval block lands with force, one of the film’s rare but effective high points. It signals to the viewer that the calm was deliberate, and tension is now ready to surge.

Star power without stardom

One of the most commendable aspects of Mahesh Narayanan’s direction is his refusal to indulge in fan service. ‘Patriot’ does not offer punchlines, exaggerated heroism or elevation scenes. Instead, the director treats Mammootty, Mohanlal, Kunchacko Boban and Fahadh as characters woven into the story rather than towering figures overshadowing it.

Mammootty anchors the film as Dr Daniel James, delivering a performance marked by restraint and authority. Mohanlal’s Colonel Rahim Naik, though compelling and elevated by his unmistakable presence, feels somewhat underutilised; his arc could have benefited from more screen time and deeper exploration.

Fahadh is perfectly cast. His role, pitched at the intersection of emotional complexity and psychological intensity, benefits immensely from his signature subtlety. Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Revathi and Darshana Rajendran add texture and emotional depth, ensuring the supporting cast is not merely ornamental but integral.

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Socially relevant theme at the core

Underpinning ‘Patriot’ is a sharp and unsettling theme, the misuse of technology and the catastrophic consequences when systems designed to protect citizens turn into threats. The film’s cautionary undertone is one of its most striking qualities. Rather than dressing its message in sensationalism, Mahesh approaches the subject with maturity and nuance, drawing parallels with real-world anxieties without resorting to melodrama.

Craftsmanship that elevates the film

On the technical front, ‘Patriot’ finds a place among the most accomplished Malayalam films in recent memory.

Sushin Shyam’s work is one of the film’s strongest assets. His background score, tense, atmospheric and pulse-quickening, infuses urgency into key transitions and heightens emotional beats, especially during the film’s interval stretch.

Manush Nandan’s cinematography gives ‘Patriot’ a polished, global espionage texture while staying rooted in Malayalam cinema’s grounded visual language. The framing, locations and overall aesthetic significantly enhance the film’s tone. The editing, handled by Rahul Radhakrishnan and Mahesh Narayanan, keeps the narrative focused even when the screenplay adopts a slow-burn approach. Despite its deliberate pacing, the film avoids unnecessary diversions. Scenes flow with purpose, and the emotional beats are spaced carefully.

The aerial and combat sequences stand out for their ambition and execution. However, some of the grounded combat scenes feel unexpectedly flat. As the narrative progresses, the antagonists lose some of their initial intimidation factor, and the mid-portion of the second half sees the tension begin to taper.

Verdict

True to Mahesh Narayanan’s filmmaking philosophy, seen in his earlier works such as ‘Take Off’ and ‘Malik’, Patriot is anchored in story first. It avoids gimmicks, chooses subtlety over dominance and trusts its audience to stay invested without being fed constant highs.

This choice will inevitably divide viewers. Those seeking a festival of mass moments may find the film subdued, while audiences who appreciate layered storytelling, controlled performances and socially relevant themes will find ‘Patriot’ a compelling watch.

‘Patriot’ is a stylish, thoughtful spy thriller that dares to prioritise substance over spectacle. It may not cater to the hardcore fanbase expecting fireworks from the Mammootty-Mohanlal pairing, but it rewards patient viewers with strong performances, atmospheric music, sharp technical craft and a theme that resonates long after the credits roll.

Not a crowd-pleasing mass entertainer, ‘Patriot’ is instead a confident, carefully engineered film that reflects Mahesh Narayanan’s creative maturity. It stands tall as a socially conscious thriller, powered by a stellar cast and an uncompromising director determined to tell his story on his own terms.