Varathan movie review highlights: A simmering yet gripping drama

Director Amal Neerad's Varathan comes almost nine months after Fahadh Faasil's previous release Carbon and as expected fans have been waiting with bated breath for the film, despite the makers trying to keep most of the details under wraps.
The trailer, which was released earlier this month, hinted that the movie would be a thriller. The first half of the movie is in line with that.
The story starts in Dubai, where Aby (Fahadh) is let go from his job the same day wife Priya (Aishwarya Lekshmi) has a medical issue.The couple decide to move to the latter's estate in Kerala for a few months to figure things out.
From the moment they land in the village, the unsettling, lecherous stares of the people begin as the urban outsiders are resented. The story takes its time to unveil the malevolent intentions with people beginning to spinning tales about Priya's past.
Fahadh plays a city-bred husband, who is suddenly faced with real world problems in the village that he has no clue of handling. Aishwarya puts on yet another mature performance as Priya.
Littil Swayamp has kept the tone warm for the thriller and Sharfu and Suhas have kept the proceedings taut. Amal Neerad has bid adieu to the usual stylish elements, at least in the first half, and opted for rooted to reality storytelling, which the script warrants.
The premise is small but the ideas that the movie is tackling is relevant. The second half though could veer off to show how Aby the outsider tackles the uninvited troubles to his family and house.