‘Dies Irae’ first look unveiled! - Pranav Mohanlal - Rahul Sadasivan’s film set Halloween 2025 release

Filmmaker Rahul Sadasivan, known for his mastery in horror storytelling, has unveiled the first look poster of his upcoming film ‘Dies Irae’, starring Pranav Mohanlal.


A Gothic vision takes shape

The Latin title, which translates to “Day of Wrath,” hints at the film's ominous and gothic theme. The poster, released on Instagram, reveals a moody and atmospheric visual style, continuing Sadasivan’s reputation for crafting chilling cinematic aesthetics. The director captioned the post: “#DIESIRAE ‘ഡീയസ് ഈറേ’ - This #HALLOWEEN Starring @pranavmohanlal Written & Directed by @rahul_madking.” The film is set to hit theatres on October 31, 2025, aligning perfectly with the Halloween season.

About the poster

A lady in white sits enthroned at the center, encircled by demonic figures forming a chaotic ring. A six-pointed star symbol glows ominously behind the lady, while tormented faces emerge from a dark, reflective pool at the base. Overall, the poster promises a gothic horror flick that the Malayalam film industry has never witnessed before.

The meaning behind ‘Dies Irae’


‘Dies Irae’ is derived from a 13th-century Latin hymn that reflects on the Day of Judgment, a recurring theme in religious and horror literature. The phrase evokes intense imagery of reckoning, salvation, and damnation. Over the centuries, this hymn has inspired countless musical compositions — from Mozart and Verdi to Berlioz — and has been quoted in film scores including ‘The Shining’, ‘Star Wars’, ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’, and ‘The Lion King’. Rahul Sadasivan appears to tap into this rich cultural and spiritual legacy to deliver a narrative steeped in dread and existential themes.

The ‘Bramayugam’ team


Following the success of ‘Bramayugam’, Rahul Sadasivan reunites with key members of his previous crew to recreate a similarly haunting atmosphere. Shehnad Jalal, the acclaimed cinematographer behind Bramayugam’s arresting visuals, returns as director of photography. Art director Jothish Shankar, whose intricate sets enhanced Bramayugam’s tension, is also back. Overall the expectations for the Pranav Mohanlal starrer are quite high.

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