In the quiet village of Nellikkampoyil, home to a well-stocked library, its residents appear more swayed by local superstitions than by the wisdom of books. This intriguing setting forms the backdrop for editor Noufal Abdullah’s first film, Nellikkampoyil Night Riders. The story centers on Shyam (Mathew Thomas), a young man who, despite his own fear of darkness, strives to maintain a brave facade for his girlfriend (Meenakshi Unnikrishnan). However, his already turbulent romantic life becomes even more complicated with the sudden appearance of a mysterious, masked figure believed to have the legs of a horse. Alongside his close companions, Sarath Sabha and Roshan Shanavas, Shyam embarks on a mission to confront this enigmatic entity.
The film boasts a cast that includes Mathew Thomas, Meenakshi Unnikrishnan, Sarath Sabha, Roshan Shanavas, Merin Philip, and Rony David, and runs for 125 minutes. Despite the ensemble, the movie struggles to make any significant impression. Its ambitious blend of horror and comedy falls flat, failing to evoke either genuine fear or hearty laughter. M Jyothish and AV Sunu, screenwriters previously lauded for the enjoyable romantic comedy Pranaya Vilasam, seem to be out of their depth here, offering nothing new or engaging to the genre.
Both the romantic subplot and the trope of a mysterious village figure feel remarkably dated. While Shyam’s personal journey to overcome his fears initially provides a spark of interest, this thread is quickly dampened by a poorly developed backstory and repetitive scenes where a ghost comically insists he eat rice. The mystery of the horse-legged figure ultimately feels detached from the core narrative, leading to a disappointing and unfulfilling conclusion.
A notable aspect, however, is the effort by Roshan Shanavas and Sarath Sabha, whose energetic performances infuse some much-needed vitality into what would otherwise be lifeless scenes. When a supposed horror film isn’t scary and its comedy isn’t funny, it’s clear the filmmaker’s vision has gone awry. Ultimately, Nellikkampoyil Night Riders is a largely unmemorable cinematic endeavor that fails to leave any lasting impact.