Movie: Cheekatilo
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Sobhita Dhulipala, Viswadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Krishna, Esha Chawla, Vadlamani Srinivas, Ravindra Vijay, Jhansi, Aamani, Suresh and others
Director: Sharan Koppishetty
Streaming On: Prime Video
Starring Sobitha Dhulipala in the lead, “Cheekatilo” is a crime thriller also featuring Vishwadev Rachakonda, Chaitanya Krishna, and others, directed by Sharan Koppishetty. The film was released directly on Prime Video. Let us check how this crime thriller has been shaped up in the following review.
Story:
Shocked by the murder of her close friend, Sandhya Nelluri (played by Sobhita Dhulipala), a crime reporter who has recently quit her job, decides to start a podcast to investigate the case. Her search for the truth soon pulls her into a much darker and dangerous journey, as the murder is linked to several similar crimes from previous years.
Performances:
Sobhita Dhulipala delivers a strong and convincing performance as Sandhya. Viswadev Rachakonda appears natural in his role, while Aamani and Jhansi leave a good impression. Chaitanya Krishna and Esha Chawla are decent, though their characters could have been more impactful with better writing. Vadlamani Srinivas, Ravindra Vijay, Suresh, and others play their parts adequately.
Analysis:
Cheekatilo (In the Darkness), a Telugu Prime Video original directed by Sharan Kopishetty, has all the right ingredients for an engaging crime thriller. Along with the murder mystery, the film also presents a social message about the abuse and violations women face in their everyday lives.
The film effectively explores the emotional trauma women carry for a lifetime, and some scenes dealing with this theme are meaningful and emotionally powerful. But the movie struggles in handling the crime and investigation aspects.
While the initial phone call from the killer creates intrigue, the investigation that follows feels routine and lacks intensity. There is little suspense around potential victims, and the threat posed to the lead character is not explored strongly.
The climax offers a solid backstory for the villain, but the reason given for restarting the killing spree is confusing. The way the final punishment is handled also feels underwhelming.
Positives:
- Story
- Sobitha Dhulipala’s Performance
- Emotional Dialogues/Moments
Negatives:
- Investigation Scenes Miss the Mark
- Lack of the Thrill or Excitement Factor
- Climax Falls Short of Intent
Cheekatilo Review and Verdict:
Cheekatilo benefits from a compelling premise, Sobhita Dhulipala’s sincere performance, and a few well-written scenes. Unfortunately, it fails to reach its full potential due to weak execution of the thriller elements, a routine investigation, and an unconvincing climax.