“Nellikkampoyil Night Riders” Review: A Horror Comedy That Misses Both Laughs and Scares

In the village of Nellikkampoyil, the setting for Noufal Abdullah’s directorial debut Nellikkampoyil Night Riders, a prominently featured library stands. Yet, despite its frequent appearance, no character ever engages with the books or shelves; they serve merely as decorative backdrops. This detail oddly reflects the villagers themselves, who are largely governed by pervasive superstitions and irrational fears.

The film’s protagonist, Shyam (Mathew Thomas), harbors a profound fear of darkness, a truth he desperately hides from his girlfriend, Meenakshi Unnikrishnan, whom he has convinced he is a brave adventurer. When a strange, masked entity with horse-like legs begins appearing in Nellikkampoyil, Shyam’s already complicated romantic life takes a turn for the worse. Alongside his trusted friends, Sarath Sabha and Roshan Shanavas, he reluctantly prepares to confront this enigmatic presence.

Noufal Abdullah, an acclaimed editor, steps into direction with Nellikkampoyil Night Riders, opting for the horror-comedy genre. While Malayalam cinema has seen success with films like Romancham in this space, Night Riders fails to execute the blend smoothly, delivering neither genuine scares nor hearty laughs. The screenwriting duo, M Jyothish and AV Sunu, known for their work on the pleasant romantic comedy Pranaya Vilasam, seem to miss their mark here, struggling to introduce any novel elements.

Both the romance at the centre of the narrative as well as the theme of the appearance of a mysterious figure have a dated feel about it. The protagonist’s attempts to overcome his fears is the only thread that creates some interest, but even this is dampened by a half-baked background story and the repeated appearances of a ghost asking him to eat a morsel of rice, which turns into a bit of unintentional humour.

The eventual revelation that the horse-legged enigma bears no meaningful connection to the village further contributes to the film’s overall disappointment. Credit for any watchable moments largely goes to Roshan Shanavas and Sarath Sabha, whose energetic performances inject some life into otherwise dull scenes.

When the horror elements are unintentionally funny and the attempts at humor fall flat, it becomes evident that the film fundamentally failed to achieve its goals. Ultimately, Nellikkampoyil Night Riders leaves no lasting impression.

Nellikkampoyil Night Riders is currently playing in cinemas.