Drishyam 2: The Resumption (2021)
Score: 9 / 10
Category: Movie
Platform: Prime Video
One-line verdict
A rare sequel that deepens consequence, sharpens intelligence, and delivers twists powerful enough to eclipse the original.
Why I went in
I decided to watch Drishyam 2 because I wanted to see how the story truly played out after the events of the first film. Unlike the original, this sequel starts immediately with the aftermath, even though there’s a six-year gap in the story timeline.
That choice alone sets the tone. There’s no warm-up. No reset.
Why this works better than the first
As a complete story, this sequel is more satisfying.
It covers far more ground:
- how Georgekutty’s life has progressed
- how the family is still carrying trauma
- how seemingly minor characters end up playing crucial roles later
What impressed me most is the writing discipline. Dialogue drops small, seemingly random statements that immediately raise questions — and instead of ignoring them or hoping the audience forgets, the movie answers them almost instantly. It feels like the writer knew exactly what viewers would ask, rather than assuming we could be fooled.
That level of confidence is rare.
Structural and cultural observations
As a non-Indian viewer, I found it interesting that this film includes only one song, especially given Indian cinema’s tendency toward multiple musical breaks. I don’t know if this is specific to Malayalam cinema or a conscious shift, but it worked in the movie’s favour.
Unlike the first film, this one doesn’t need to re-establish its main characters — which is a strength for returning viewers but a weakness for newcomers. Given the eight-year real-world gap between releases, someone watching this cold would be disadvantaged.
But this story clearly isn’t meant to stand alone.
The section below discusses payoff and direction.
Where it truly shines
This is a movie of consequence.
Everything builds steadily right into the third act, where the story accelerates hard. The twists that follow genuinely surprised me — not easy to do, given how many films I’ve watched. Some of them actually gave me goosebumps.
Visually, this instalment also improves. The film has a proper cinematic grain, unlike the overly clean look of the first movie. That alone made it feel more like a movie and less like a TV drama.
Credit where it’s due
It’s time to acknowledge Jeethu Joseph properly.
Writing two films of this quality — and then writing and directing the third instalment — makes it clear that following his work is worth the time. While the first Drishyam is more widely recognised, I personally prefer this sequel.
Final thoughts
This is a 9 / 10 for me.
It would have been a 10 if it could stand completely on its own — but it can’t. Watching Drishyam 2 without the first film is like watching Return of the Jedi without The Empire Strikes Back. You’ll still understand it, but you won’t feel it.
Same-same, but different.
