Top 10 Mollywood Serial Killer Movies

Crime thrillers, especially violent movies on sadistic killers, have been a fan favorite for decades. If you are a fan of the genre and have exhausted Hollywood’s illustrious list of serial killer movies, here’s a list of 10 Malayalam serial killer movies to plant fear and suspicion in your mind.

1. Anjaam Pathiraa

This 2020 crime thriller features a gory cat and mouse game between a criminologist and a justice-hungry serial killer who exclusively targets police officers. The film is directed and written by Midhun Manuel Thomas. This Kunchacko Boban starrer was a commercial success and was one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2020.

2. Black Dalia

Black Dalia is a 2009 Suresh Gopi starrer, directed and written by Baburaj. The movie follows the fatal end of a group of college friends’ murdered one after the other. The film unravels the events that led to the string of serial killings. Though the reviews were lukewarm, the film showcased stellar performances from the cast.

3. Forensic

Forensic is another 2020 psychological thriller starring Tovino Thomas, Mamta Mohandas, and Renji Panicker, among others. Directed and written by the duo Akhil Paul and Anas Khan, the movie will leave its viewers guessing at every turn. The movie follows forensic expert Samuel John as he tries to solve a string of murders that dates back decades before.

4. Memories

This 2013 blockbuster was directed and written by Jeethu Joseph. Starring Prithviraj, Miya, and Vijayaraghavan, among others, the movie revolves around the devastated Sam Alex, a Police officer who has taken up alcohol after losing his family to a murderer. He is later asked to investigate a serial killer targeting married men. ‘Memories’ is sure to grant the viewers a nostalgic trip to one of the best years in Malayalam cinema.

5. Mukham

Released in 1990, the film was directed by Mohan and written by Joseph Madapally. Mukham, starring Mohanlal, Ranjini, and Nassar, revolves around the efforts of a police officer on a dedicated quest to catch a serial killer who targets women exclusively, aiming for his fourth victim.

6. Grandmaster

This 2012 thriller film was a commercial hit like almost all other Mohanlal starrer. Following the life of IG Chandrasekhar, who is deeply invested in a serial killing case where the victims are chosen in alphabetical order, the movie is as creative as it is successful in building a satisfying and clever plot. The movie is inspired by a famous Agatha Christie novel titled “The A B C Murders”.

7. Ee Thanutha Velupankalathu

Released in 1990, the movie, starring Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, and Nedumudi Venu, among others, revolves around Haridas, a police officer dealing with a bizarre series of murders where the victim is found with coir in their mouth. The title of the movie translates to “In This Cold Morning” and it was directed by Joshiy.

8. Oppam

This 2016 crime thriller is directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. The movie revolves around Jayaraman, a blind lift operator and a trusted friend of the retired chief justice. A killer seeking age-old revenge starts his killing spree to reach his final target as Jayaraman races against time to protect his loved ones.

9. Chinthamani Kolacase

Chinthamani Kolacase is a thriller film with Suresh Gopi as the protagonist. While the movie is not strictly a serial killer movie in the conventional understanding, the protagonist takes justice into his own hands as he kills the very criminals he acquitted in court. It’s bizarre and enigmatic and also involves a string of murders.

10. Joseph

Joseph is very much a movie revolving around serial killing, except that the killing is fueled by capitalism and very unethical medical practices by a hospital. With a phenomenal performance by Joju George, the movie is a must-watch for fans of Mollywood and of good cinema. The movie is directed by M.Padmakumar and produced by Joju George.