OTHERS begins with a series of tragic and mysterious incidents involving IVF-born infants who are afflicted with severe, unexplained conditions. What seems like isolated medical mishaps soon unravels into a deeply sinister conspiracy. Aditya Madhavan plays a cop who dives into this disturbing web, uncovering shocking links between blacklisted steroids, anonymous donors, and unethical hospital practices. As he pieces the puzzle together, he finds himself facing an invisible criminal – someone who turns the very idea of hope into horror. Meanwhile, his partner, played by Gouri Kishan, gets entangled in a parallel thread when a strange incident at her hospital brings the danger closer to home. As the investigation deepens, these two paths converge toward a chilling truth that redefines the meaning of morality and science gone wrong.
The first half effectively sets up the mystery, introducing the medical conspiracy angle with intrigue and emotional weight. The premise feels grounded and refreshingly different for a Tamil thriller. However, the pacing fluctuates, occasionally losing its sense of urgency as it tries to balance emotional drama with investigative tension. The second half carries higher stakes but stumbles in execution. While the central twist holds potential, the narrative becomes cluttered with too many revelations and uneven transitions. The tension dips in crucial moments, and what could have been a nail-biting thriller often feels stretched. A few gripping chase sequences and emotional beats in the climax redeem it partially.
Aditya Madhavan delivers a convincing performance, portraying the cop’s desperation and moral conflict with commendable restraint. Gouri Kishan shines in her limited yet emotionally charged role, lending sensitivity to the film’s darker moments. Their performances help ground the otherwise uneven storytelling.
Technically, OTHERS impresses with its sharp cinematography and atmospheric lighting by Aravinnd Singh, capturing the tone of a dark investigative drama. The background score by Ghibran effectively enhances tension, though the editing by Ramar could have been crisper to tighten the film’s flow.
To sum it up, OTHERS has all the makings of a gripping medical thriller: a strong concept, relevant themes, and committed performances. However, it falters in execution, weighed down by inconsistent pacing and underdeveloped writing from Abin Hariharan. With tighter direction and a more focused screenplay, this could have been a standout addition to the genre. As it stands, OTHERS is a watchable but uneven thriller that leaves you intrigued yet unsatisfied.