A Night, A Patrol, and a Chilling Mystery: This Malayalam Thriller on OTT Is the Hidden Gem You Shouldn’t Miss

A Night, A Patrol, and a Chilling Mystery: This Malayalam Thriller on OTT Is the Hidden Gem You Shouldn’t Miss
There’s something about a quiet, rainy weekend that calls for a good thriller — the kind that keeps you hooked, questioning every character, and leaves your mind spinning long after it ends. If that’s the kind of cinematic experience you’re looking for, one recent Malayalam film on OTT is the perfect pick. Titled Ronth, this low-budget crime drama has created a buzz among thriller lovers and critics alike — and for all the right reasons.
Set over the course of a single night, Ronth takes you on a slow-burning, suspense-filled journey with two police officers who find themselves caught in an unexpected situation during their routine patrol. What starts off as a regular duty soon evolves into something far more sinister and psychologically complex.
The film runs for 2 hours and 2 minutes, and the real magic begins within the first ten. You’ll find yourself drawn in quickly, questioning where the story is headed, and by the time you reach the final 20 minutes, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. The climax, in particular, delivers a strong punch — one that lingers.
Directed by Shahi Kabir, Ronth has been produced by Vineet Jain, Ratheesh Ambat, Ranjith EVM, and Joju George. Though originally made in Malayalam, it’s now streaming on Hotstar in both Malayalam and Hindi, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The title Ronth translates to “patrolling,” which perfectly captures the essence of the plot. The story follows two cops — a senior officer and his junior — as they navigate the city during a night shift. Early into their round, they fine a man for drunk driving. Soon after, a panicked family approaches them, reporting their son missing. From that moment on, nothing goes as expected.
What unfolds next is a gripping investigation wrapped in emotional turmoil and moral ambiguity. The film doesn’t rely on jump scares or loud twists — instead, it builds a tense, realistic atmosphere that slowly creeps under your skin. The strength of Ronth lies in its storytelling, its attention to detail, and its ability to keep the viewer invested without ever becoming loud or flashy.
One of the standout elements of the film is its background music. Composer Anil Johnson has crafted a score that elevates the suspense at every turn. The night scenes are beautifully shot, capturing both the loneliness and danger that come with working the dark hours. As the plot thickens, you’re never quite sure who to trust or where the story will go — and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.
Despite being made on a modest budget of ₹5 crore, Ronth has proven that great cinema doesn’t need massive spending. It earned around ₹9 crore at the box office — a commendable success for a film that relies purely on content and craft. Since its OTT release, it has garnered positive attention and currently holds a 7.4 rating on IMDb.
If you’re tired of formulaic thrillers and looking for something grounded, intelligent, and genuinely thought-provoking, Ronth is the film you need to watch. It doesn’t shout — it whispers. It doesn’t rush — it unravels. And by the end, it leaves you with more questions than answers, in the best possible way.
So, brew a cup of tea, grab a warm blanket, and settle in for a film that delivers suspense not with noise, but with nuance. Ronth isn’t just a crime thriller — it’s a psychological puzzle, a moral dilemma, and a brilliant example of storytelling done right. Available now on Hotstar, in both Malayalam and Hindi — this one deserves your screen time.