Aaryan Movie Review

Aaryan Movie Review: Vishnu Vishal Starrer Psycho-Thriller Delivers Twists But Stumbles on Execution – Full Breakdown.

In the crowded arena of Tamil cinema’s 2025 thrillers, Aaryan emerges as a bold, if flawed, entry that flips the script on serial killer tropes. Directed by debutant Praveen K, this Vishnu Vishal-led psycho-thriller hit theaters on October 31, 2025, and is now streaming on Netflix as of November 28, 2025 – perfect timing for Diwali binge-watchers. With a runtime of 2 hours 16 minutes, Aaryan promises a cat-and-mouse chase laced with social commentary, but does it deliver the edge-of-your-seat suspense of Vishnu Vishal’s breakout Ratsasan (2018)? .

Our Aaryan movie review dives deep into the plot, performances, technical wizardry, and why this film is a mixed bag for fans of Tamil crime thrillers 2025. If you’re pondering “Aaryan review Vishnu Vishal” or “Aaryan OTT release date,” read on for spoilers-free insights, ratings, and where it ranks among recent hits like Vidhuthalai Part 2 or Indian 2.

For more on Tamil cinema’s thriller renaissance, check our internal feature on Top Tamil Thrillers of 2025 – a must-read for genre enthusiasts.

Plot Summary: A Whydunnit That Hooks Early, Fades Late

Aaryan opens with a bang – or rather, a chilling declaration. Middle-aged failed writer Azhagar (Selvaraghavan) hijacks a TV interview to announce his intent to commit the “perfect crime,” only to shock viewers by staging his own suicide moments later.

What follows isn’t a whodunit but a whydunnit: Azhagar’s pre-recorded videos reveal a meticulously planned killing spree targeting five “unsung heroes” – a nurse, a soldier, an activist, and more – whose deaths, he claims, will force society to recognize their forgotten value. Enter hot-headed DSP Arivudai Nambi (Vishnu Vishal), a cop navigating a messy divorce, who’s thrust into the race against time to decode Azhagar’s twisted blueprint and save the victims.

Co-written by Manu Anand, the screenplay innovates by revealing the killer upfront, shifting focus to his psyche and the cops’ frantic pursuit. The first half builds dread through Azhagar’s taunting tapes, blending Jigsaw-like traps with poignant backstories for each target. But as Nambi’s investigation drags into procedural tedium, the narrative unravels, culminating in a third act that prioritizes preachy messaging over logic. It’s ambitious – exploring themes of societal neglect and vigilante “justice” – but often feels like a ChatGPT remix of Se7en meets Ratsasan, minus the cohesion. For a spoiler-light teaser, watch the official trailer on YouTube.

External buzz from The Hollywood Reporter India calls it “long and flabby but engaging,” echoing our sentiment: A setup that grips, but execution that slips. Incoming links from Times of India highlight its “eccentric why” as the eccentric core.

Cast and Performances: Vishnu Vishal Shines, Selvaraghavan Steals

Vishnu Vishal, post his sports drama stint in Gatta Kusthi (2022), returns to thrillers with restrained fury as Nambi – a divorced cop whose personal chaos mirrors the case’s frenzy. His physicality shines in chase sequences, but the script’s flat arc leaves him as a reactive hero, not the brilliant foil Azhagar needs. Still, Vishnu’s intensity – channeling Ratsasan‘s Arun without aping it – makes him a compelling anchor. As per our internal roundup Vishnu Vishal’s Best Roles Ranked, this ranks mid-tier but reaffirms his thriller affinity.

Selvaraghavan, in a rare acting turn, dominates as the posthumous puppet-master Azhagar. His brooding menace – eyes conveying literary disdain and madness – elevates the film, making you root for the “villain” despite the horror. Shraddha Srinath brings emotional depth as Nambi’s ex-wife Nayana, a subplot that adds heart without sap. Maanasa Choudhary as a victim adds vulnerability, while supporting turns from Karunakaran (as a bumbling sidekick) and Mala Parvathi provide levity.

A performance comparison table:

Source: Compiled from IMDb & BookMyShow reviews

Selvaraghavan’s tour-de-force has netizens raving on X, with posts like “@baba_rajkumar: Selvaraghavan superb!” For more on Tamil actors’ thriller pivots, link to our post Selvaraghavan: From Director to Scene-Stealer.

Technical Aspects: Ghibran’s Score and Harish Kannan’s Frames Elevate the Ordinary

Debut director Praveen K shows promise in subverting genre norms, but his pacing falters – the 136-minute runtime feels bloated with redundant cop banter. Ghibran Vaibodha’s score is a highlight, blending ominous synths with folk infusions for Azhagar’s “artistic” kills; tracks like “I’m The Guy” and “Azhagiyaley” are earworms that amplify tension. Harish Kannan’s cinematography – moody forests, stark interrogation rooms – gives Aaryan a glossy, pan-Indian sheen, rivaling Vikram‘s visuals. Editor San Lokesh’s cuts keep the chase taut, though sound design (Sachin/Hariharan) occasionally overpowers dialogue.

Technicals at a glance:

Aggregated from The Hindu & Indian Express

External praise from Only Kollywood: “Technically first-rate.” Our internal tech deep-dive Best Tamil Soundtracks 2025 spotlights Ghibran’s genius.

Critical and Audience Reception: Polarizing Thriller with Solid Buzz

Aaryan debuted to mixed reviews, earning a 7.0/10 on IMDb from 5K+ users, but critics are harsher. India Today (2/5) slams the “lopsided messaging” glorifying vigilantism, while 123Telugu (2.75/5) praises the “striking hook.” Audience scores on BookMyShow hover at 3.5/5, with X users calling it “gripping” (@baba_rajkumar) but “forgettable” (@jeevaskj threads).

Ratings roundup:

Data as of Nov 28, 2025

Box office? A modest ₹15 crore in Tamil Nadu, per early estimates, buoyed by Vishnu’s fanbase. Incoming from Wikipedia: Streaming on Netflix boosts global reach. For comparisons, see Tamil OTT Hits 2025.

Pros and Cons: Twists vs. Tedious Messaging

Pros:

• Innovative “dead killer” premise keeps you guessing motives.
• Selvaraghavan’s chilling villainy and Ghibran’s score.
• Vishnu Vishal’s sincere cop turn, evoking FIR vibes.

Cons:

• Bloated runtime with procedural filler.
• Didactic third act undermines thriller tension.
• Uneven pacing; glorifies violence awkwardly.

Overall, Aaryan is a 3/5 – engaging for thriller junkies but forgettable for purists. It shines in setup, stumbles in payoff, much like 2025’s L2: Empuraan. External verdict from Lensmen Reviews: “Mistakes rearrangement for reinvention.”

Where to Watch Aaryan: OTT and Beyond

Catch Aaryan on Netflix from Nov 28, 2025, in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, etc. Theatrical reruns? Check BookMyShow. For soundtracks, stream on Spotify.

Our guide Best Tamil Movies on Netflix 2025 includes it.

Conclusion: Worth a Stream for Vishnu Fans

Aaryan isn’t the genre-redefining hit Vishnu Vishal deserves post-hiatus, but its ambitious twists and stellar turns make it a solid Diwali watch. Praveen K’s debut hints at future promise, if he tightens the screws. In a year of Vijay-Suriya blockbusters, Aaryan carves a niche for cerebral chills – flawed, but fiercely original. Stream it, debate the ending, and ponder: Does art justify murder? Share your Aaryan review below!

FAQs: Aaryan Movie Review Essentials

Q: What is the plot of Aaryan?
A: A failed writer announces a “perfect crime” via suicide, triggering a cop’s hunt to stop his planned murders of unsung heroes. No spoilers – it’s a whydunnit thriller.

Q: Is Aaryan better than Ratsasan?
A: No, but it echoes its intensity. Ratsasan wins on suspense; Aaryan on social bite. See our Ratsasan vs. Aaryan Comparison.

Q: Where can I watch Aaryan online?
A: Streaming on Netflix from Nov 28, 2025. Rent on YouTube for ₹150.

Q: Aaryan movie rating on Rotten Tomatoes?
A: 65% critics, 78% audience (as of Nov 28). Fresh but divisive.

Q: Who is the villain in Aaryan?
A: Selvaraghavan’s Azhagar – a literary psycho whose performance is the film’s heartbeat.

Q: Is Aaryan family-friendly?
A: UA13+ for violence and themes. Not for kids under 13.

Q: Aaryan ending explained? (Spoiler Alert)
A: DM us or check fan theories on X. It ties into societal critique but polarizes.