Malayalam movies this year 2022, including Jana Gana Mana and Hridayam, showed how Malayalam cinema is no longer constrained by language or geographical limitations. They both serve as examples of how Malayalam cinema has grown, featuring compelling stories with strong performances, cinematography, music, and direction. Alongside them, these 10 movies represent the best Malayalam movies of 2022, and show just how far the Mollywood industry has come in such a short time.
Best Malayalam Movies 2022:
10. Meppadiyan
“People these days are more concerned about the political leanings of those involved in a film than the film itself, and that’s the only reason I could see as to why this film doesn’t get the love or appreciation it deserves. Meppadiyan is a smartly paced, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat drama that refuses to slow down and rightfully so.” – Deepak Chazhoor, Letterboxd.
9. Padavetu
“A small-town political thriller that’s mixed parts meditative and explosive. Nivin Pauly is just too good as a man who’s stuck in the past. He Sells Ravi’s remorse, internal anger, guilt, and helplessness like it’s nobody’s business. It is because of him that the supposedly uneventful sequences of the film feel like a ticking time bomb like it’s leading to something and boy what a sight when it explodes. Got legit goosebumps during the climax. An absolute trance with that score.” – Vasanthan, Letterboxd.
8. Freedom Fight
“Freedom Fight is brilliant and for me, this now takes the slot of best Malayalam anthology. Each of the 5 stories are good and does justice to the theme of the film. Jeo Baby should be appreciated for bringing together this team of talent and making an impactful movie yet again.” – YadhuParambath, Letterboxd.
7. Rorschach
“A slow-burn psychological revenge thriller, one that’s neatly executed with top performances and technical values. When looking at the storyline, it’s pretty much simple, but the complexly structured narrative evokes enough curiosity and makes it a worthy stimulating experience.The disturbing experimental drama does have a few glitches and demands your patience at times, but once you buy in, it definitely ends up a rewarding watch.” – Michael James, Letterboxd.
6. Bhoothakaalam
5. Bheeshma Parvam
“Well, what should I say about Bheeshma Parvam? Amal Neerad give it’s freedom to one of the greatest Indian actors of all time and gives what audience want and delivers every single time. Bheeshma Parvam is a voyeur experience that will always cherish forever. Despite not being a perfect movie like the predictable storyline, it still makes you excites each and every Mammootty dialogue all along. A true fitting tribute for Mammootty and more so, a return to form as well.” – Moviememes.mp4, Letterboxd.
4. Pada
“This is how you make real-life incident-based movies with political bearings, nail-biting. This is how you stand by the wronged without diluting the gravity of the injustice they face. This is how you use political nuances in film. Pada is a political statement. A revolution. A thank you ode to the tribal activists and revolutionaries and most importantly an uncomfortable reminder of the fact that rightful inhabitants of forest land are still landless” – Mystic River, Letterboxd.
3. Nna Thaan Case Kodu
“An honest film, inside and out. Kind of Farhadi-like in the social stories while never leaning into sentiment. At its core, Nna Thaan Case Kodu cares about empathy. Our titular character, Rajivan, played magnificently by Kunchacko Boban, is a laborer & reformed petty thief. The man doesn’t speak English, but to the PWD ministerʼs dismay, understands legal proceedings. I was taken aback by how affecting it was.” – Shooby 🗿, Letterboxd.
2. Hridayam
“A beautiful, unique, and realistic yet refreshing coming-of-age romantic drama that will hit you with its nostalgia right in the feels. Being director Vineeth Sreenivasan’s most personal project. Be it the story, acting, direction, music, cinematography, etc every department is superb, With all the sound track. It’s truly the soul of the film.” – ᴇᴅᴡᴀʀᴅ™, Letterboxd.
1. Jana Gana Mana
“Jana Gana Mana does something incredible. Similar to Benoît Poelvoorde’s 1992 masterpiece Man Bites Dog, it puts the spotlight on you – the common man, you the spectator, you the viewer. It is about how easily you get swayed, how your emotions get controlled by the narrative planted by the media. Jana Gana Mana is a much more deep, complex work than what meets the eye. It asks uncomfortable questions. It dares you to look away. It is this truth the movie attempts to get to and like how the great philosophers have said before, the path to reach the truth is not rosy.” – HareeshRajaa, Letterboxd.
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