‘Eyes’ Review: A chilling look at stalking, obsession and the fear women live with

There is a particular kind of fear that comes with realising that the person you love could become the person you need to fear. But what happens when that threat comes from someone you have never loved, never dated, and perhaps barely even know? Manu Ashokan’s ‘Eyes’, a Malayalam web series explores that unsettling space between affection, obsession, control and fear, where a woman’s sense of safety can disappear long before the danger becomes visible to others.

Starring Kani Kusruti, Nikhila Vimal, Shruti Ramachandran, Riya Jithu, Prabhu, Saniya Iyyappan and Dev Mohan, the psychological crime thriller brings together a police investigation and mental-health professionals attempting to understand the minds of stalkers and prevent violence before it escalates. The series is directed by Manu Ashokan, with Bobby and Sanjay on screenplay and Anjana Nayar credited with the story. Eyes is streaming on SonyLIV from October 9.

At a time when crimes against women continue to expose how easily obsession can turn into control and violence, ‘Eyes’ arrives with a subject that feels uncomfortably relevant. Its strength lies not merely in asking what makes a stalker dangerous, but in asking whether the signs can be recognised — and the violence prevented — before it is too late.

The series opens inside a café, where a young man tries desperately to win back his former lover. When every attempt to bring her back into his life fails, what follows is chilling — and enough to hint at the unsettling territory the seven-part series is about to explore. As the story unfolds, ‘Eyes’ takes us through a series of cases, each more disturbing than the last, revealing stories of obsession, fear and the terrifying consequences of a love that refuses to let go.

From a viewer’s point of view, the idea of having such a task force in reality feels both much-needed and, at the same time, difficult to imagine in practice. Can an initiative like this genuinely work beyond the world of fiction, or is it an idea that works only within the confines of the series? That question lingers even after the episodes end. Yet, where ‘Eyes’ truly deserves applause is in the way director Manu Ashokan and his team of writers understand and portray the fear that women often carry — sometimes even in situations that may appear ordinary to others. They have translated that fear onto the screen with remarkable sensitivity and restraint. More importantly, the series chooses to tell stories rooted in a reality that has far too many victims, without sensationalising their experiences. It is this care in handling a deeply relevant and disturbing subject that makes ‘Eyes’ stand out.

The wen series isn’t backed just by the way it has been perceived, directed, and written, but also with its performances that feel so real. The ensemble is one of its strengths. Dev Mohan stands out as Sajin, convincingly playing a manipulative man whose composed, almost vulnerable demeanour keeps you guessing. Nikhila Vimal brings quiet strength and sensitivity as psychologist Ayesha, while Kani Kusruti lends restraint and intensity to police officer Tina. Shruti Ramachandran gives Vidya an emotional depth, and Saniya Iyyappan effectively conveys Shobitha’s vulnerability and uncertainty. Jaffer Idukki is particularly memorable in his supporting role, while Vasu Bose captures the unsettling entitlement of a man who mistakes obsession for love. Riya Jithu and Prabhu Muraleekrishnan round out the ensemble with convincing performances.

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While most elements fall into place, the one area where Eyes falters slightly is its pacing. With episodes running for around 50 minutes, the series starts off tightly but loses some momentum midway. By the fourth and fifth episodes, the narrative begins to feel a little stretched, making tighter editing feel necessary.

Overall, ‘Eyes’ is a must-watch for the stories it chooses to tell and the care with which it tells them. Its subject is unsettling, timely, and deeply relevant, and the series succeeds in making the viewer confront a fear that many women live with.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars