Ronth Movie Review: A Gripping Police Procedural With A Haunting Edge
Shahi Kabir-directed and written, Ronth is a Malayalam police thriller that hit the screens on June 13, 2025, and is now streaming on JioHotstar. Starring Dileesh Pothan and Roshan Mathew, the movie unfolds over the course of a single night, offering a real and thrilling look into the life of two policemen on patrol.
The film observes new cop CPO Dinnath and veteran Grade SI Yohannan as they get a late-night patrolling assignment together. As they operate in the several-hour shift, we observe their conflicting outlooks—one green and optimistic, the other drained and pessimistic.The film silently probes how years of service in the force can hone, harden, and even erode the conscience of even the most well-meaning officers.
Ronth's greatest asset is its narrative subtlety. Shahi Kabir does not spoonfeed but rather allows the characters to develop through nuanced dialogues and the tension of situations. Ronth compares itself with Training Day but diverges into a less action, more psycho-transformation direction. Manesh Madhavan's cinematography complements the dark, nightmarish setting, and Anil Johnson's creepy score is well suited to the dark setting. Praveen Mangalath's editing is quick and effective, allowing the film some room to breathe without making it drag.
However, Ronth is not perfect. Some parts of the story are too repetitive, recalling Kabir's previous work. Character dialogue at times becomes far too repetitive, falling into the clichés of repetitive tropes, particularly in relating power conflicts or corruption. These moments, while not taking over the film, take a touch away from its uniqueness.
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Performance-wise, Roshan Mathew is effective as the wide-eyed Dinnath, and Dileesh Pothan is impressive in a nuanced, lived-in performance as Yohannan. Their chemistry is the emotional center of the film.
Verdict: Ronth may follow familiar terrain for aficionados of Shahi Kabir's genre, but it's distinguished by its robust performances, atmospheric plotting, and contemplative depth. It's an engaging, unsettling thriller that lingers long after the credits have rolled.
