Movie Name: Dies Irae
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Pranav Mohanlal, Sushmita Bhatt, Gibin Gopinath, Jaya Kurup, and others
Director: Rahul Sadasivan
Produced By: Chakravarthy Ramachandra and S. Sashikanth
Release Date: 7th November 2025
Dies Irae, starring Pranav Mohanlal and directed by Rahul Sadasivan, has already become a superhit in Malayalam. Now, the film arrives in Telugu, just a week after its original release. Does it live up to the hype, and what message does it aim to convey? Here’s our review.
Story:
Dies Irae follows the story of Rohan, the son of a wealthy man and a successful architect, who lives a carefree and happy life. His world turns upside down when he learns that his ex-girlfriend Kani (played by Sushmitha Bhatt) has died by suicide. After visiting her house, Rohan begins to experience strange and unsettling events in his own home. The rest of the film explores how Rohan uncovers the truth about Kani’s past and the unexpected twists that follow.
Performances:
Pranav Mohanlal is convincing as Rohan and delivers a solid performance. He handles the tense and emotional scenes with ease. Gibin Gopinath stands out in a key supporting role, while the rest of the cast performs decently.
Analysis:
Director Rahul Sadasivan adds a psychological layer to the horror genre. The film starts slowly, with the first 20–30 minutes feeling quite ordinary. However, the suspense builds once Rohan senses a mysterious presence in his house. Some of the jump scares are effective, and the interval twist adds to the intrigue.
The second half includes a few genuinely chilling moments that leave an impact. Still, the film struggles with a predictable storyline and familiar plot points. While the director tries to present the story freshly, the narrative remains routine. The backstory and a key twist in the latter half are handled well, and the climax is also alright, but the typical horror-style cliffhanger at the end feels unnecessary.
Positives:
- Performances
- Jump Scares/Thrilling Scenes
- Background Music/Visuals
Negatives:
- Predictable Scenes/Moments
- A Few Unanswered Questions Regarding The Ghost
Dies Irae Review and Verdict:
In conclusion, Dies Irae is a decent, slow-paced horror thriller with strong technical quality and a few well-executed scares. Although it lacks surprises and moves at a relaxed pace, it may still appeal to fans of the genre.