Sudheesh Sankar-directed Tamil drama-thriller Maareesan is streaming on Netflix since August 22, 2025. It is a film uniting the charismatic couple Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu, giving us a road-trip story laced with mystery, ethical depth, and emotional warmth.
Plot & Creative Highlights
From the Super Good Films (their 98th film) of director R. B. Choudary, Maareesan is a movie that slowly reveals its multi-story plot in the context of a road trip from Nagercoil to Tiruvannamalai. Fahadh is the protagonist, Dhayalan, a petty thief who chanced upon Velayudham Pillai (Vadivelu) chained and suffering from Alzheimer’s. Confusion and suspense arise when Dhayalan learns about the large amount of money in the account of Velayudham—preparing us for a detour that is thrilling and emotional.
The screenplay and dialogues are crafted by V. Krishna Moorthy, who also serves as the creative director, lending cohesion and depth to the narrative
Fahadh Faasil’s Subtle Power
Fahadh Faasil infuses Maareesan with his trademark nuance and restraint. His portrayal of Dhayalan, a thief caught between self-interest and empathy, strikes a resonant chord. The character’s ruinous choice to accompany a confused man leads to unexpected transitions in both their journeys.
Audiences and critics admired Fahadh’s nuanced performance. It is his presence that is the hub of the film’s emotional core—assisted by his expertise in navigating moral gray, humanness, and cold calculation. Old-time fans were reminded of his spine-tingling performances in Malik, Kumbalangi Nights, Maamannan, and Joji, a testament to his adaptability and depth.
Vadivelu’s Dramatic Transformation
Better known for his comedic skills, Vadivelu discards his comedic mantle in Maareesan, delivering a strong performance of Velayudham Pillai, a secretive fellow afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. That calls for emotional vulnerability, a far cry from his comedic legacy, and Vadivelu confronts it with restraint and sentiment.
Viewers have pointed out that Vadivelu and Fahadh bear much of the film’s weight, and the chemistry between them generates laughs and emotional depth. Their reunion after Maamannan created sentimental expectation—and the film returns it in class and empathy.
Technical Craft & Music Score
Cinematography by Sivaji Kalaiselvan frames the unfolding drama so beautifully—sunlit canvases, abandoned roads, close-ups of emotion, all equally proficiently handled. Editor Sreejith Sarang is equally steady: the first half moves at a slow simmer, in sync with the queasiness of aoubonded remembrance, then surges in a rousing second act.
Music is provided by Yuvan Shankar Raja, whose melodies make the mood light and effusive. Songs such as the lighthearted but sentimental “FaFa Song” and the eponymous “Maareesa” demonstrate tonal adaptability, intersecting innocence, yearning, and suspense effortlessly
Critical & Audience Reactions
Early critics provided mixed but otherwise favorable shots. Times of India provided 3.5/5, noting how the best moments it provides are from its moral gray areas and offbeat camaraderie. Pinkvilla cited slow pace but praised strength in the primary cast and narrative sincerity. Cinema Express questioned tonal shifts in the latter half, suggesting that at times, ambitions overrode storytelling.
Kamal Haasan himself commended the film as “witty” and “socially sharp”—a high praise affirming its blend of humor and thoughtfulness. Audience feedback on X (Twitter) echoed this sentiment, with viewers calling it a “compelling drama with thrilling touches”—emphasizing its emotional resonance.
Final Thoughts: A Journey Worth Taking
Far from being a slick thriller, it’s a slow-burning drama that is driven by two powerhouse performances and soft, twisting narrative. Vadivelu moves out of caricature and gives us depth, and Fahadh is a standout turn as the morally ambiguous thief—both tempered beautifully by Yuvan’s expressive score and considered visual composition.
The tonal change in the film after the interval can be startling at first, but for the receptive fan of complex cinema, Maareesan repays in redemption, compassion, and muted suspense. Its Netflix release date of August 22nd brings it into the light for more widespread acclaim.