Review: Balan-The Boy – A Slow Burn Thriller Powered by Strong Performances
Sanjeev Kumar June 20, 2026 11:22 AM
Before its theatrical release, Balan: The Boy generated considerable excitement as it brought together two critically acclaimed filmmakers, Chidambaram as director and Jithu Madhavan as screenwriter. Their recent works have been widely appreciated, naturally raising expectations for the film. Today, Balan: The Boy has arrived in cinemas, including its Telugu dubbed version. Let us see how the film fares.
Story:
Set in Kannur, the story follows a mother (Farzana Palathingal) who serves a prison sentence for murder along with her young son (Adhisheshan KR) in a special sub jail. After her release, she begins living under different identities, moving from place to place and taking up various jobs. Her son has grown accustomed to this unusual lifestyle but remains unaware of the truth behind it. When she joins a household as the caretaker of a 70 year old woman, an inmate from her past discovers her whereabouts, setting off a series of unexpected twists. Why is she living this way? Will her son learn the truth? Who are they really? The answers form the rest of the story.
Plus Points:
The story itself is quite intriguing. While the core plot is relatively simple, Jithu Madhavan’s screenplay elevates it significantly. The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, gradually drawing the audience into the world of the characters. Much like the young boy who has become accustomed to his mother’s fabricated stories and shifting identities, the audience slowly settles into the film’s rhythm.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its unpredictability. Several situations appear to be heading in a familiar direction, only to take an entirely different turn. The writers cleverly use character setups and audience expectations to create these surprises. The interval block, the police station episode early in the second half, and the climax twist are particularly impressive and well executed.
Adhisheshan KR delivers a remarkable performance. He convincingly portrays both the innocence and intelligence of his character. His expressive eyes and subtle reactions add considerable depth to several tense moments. Farzana Palathingal is equally outstanding as the mother. The film gradually reveals layers to her character, constantly altering the audience’s perception of her. Her behaviour and emotional complexity add an unsettling edge to the narrative, making her one of the film’s strongest assets.
Shyju Khalid’s cinematography and Sushin Shyam’s music significantly enhance the film’s atmosphere and keep the narrative engaging. Jean Paul Lal is effective in his role, while Tovino Thomas makes a noteworthy extended cameo that leaves an impact.
Minus Points:
The film’s biggest drawback is its pacing. While the deliberately paced narration suits the story, the leisurely progression may test the patience of some viewers. Despite the high stakes, the film demands considerable investment from the audience.
At nearly 147 minutes, the film occasionally feels stretched. A few scenes that could have conveyed the same information more concisely are prolonged unnecessarily. Tighter editing in these portions would have improved engagement and reduced the feeling of drag.
Technical Aspects:
Director Chidambaram delivers another commendable film after Manjummel Boys. Rather than functioning as a regular thriller, the film explores psychological trauma and emotional complexities, giving it a distinctive identity. Jithu Madhavan’s screenplay remains one of the film’s greatest strengths and plays a major role in keeping the audience invested.
From a technical standpoint, the cinematography, music, production design, and casting choices are impressive and contribute positively to the overall experience. The Telugu dubbing, which faced criticism when the trailer was released, has been improved considerably and works well in the final product. However, Vivek Harshan’s editing could have been sharper, especially in the film’s slower stretches.
Verdict:
On the whole, Balan: The Boy is a decent psychological thriller elevated by the outstanding performances of Adhisheshan KR and Farzana Palathingal. Jithu Madhavan’s screenplay and Chidambaram’s direction complement each other well to create an emotionally layered experience. However, the slow paced narration and a few unnecessarily prolonged sequences dilute the overall impact. Viewers who enjoy unconventional psychological thrillers and character focused storytelling are likely to appreciate the film, while others may find it a decent one time watch.
