The Grand Hype and the Cold Reality
Cinema is often a game of expectations, and when those expectations involve the two biggest pillars of Malayalam cinema—Mammootty and Mohanlal—the stakes are higher than the Burj Khalifa. Directed by the critically acclaimed Mahesh Narayanan, “Patriot” was touted as the definitive espionage thriller of 2026. However, as the curtains went up and the social media scrolls began, it became clear that the film was struggling to keep its head above the water.
The general consensus across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit suggests that while the film is technically polished, it is a “below-average entertainer” that fails to capitalize on its massive potential.
A Promising Start That Fizzled Out
The film opens with a compelling setup. We follow Daniel James (played by Mammootty), a high-ranking government official who stumbles upon a sinister mass surveillance system. The first half has been praised for its grounded approach and steady build-up. As one viewer noted, the narrative was “steadily building momentum and peaking impressively towards the interval.”
However, the second half is where the wheels reportedly fall off. Many audience members described the latter portion of the film as a “total misfire” and a “wasted opportunity.” Fans complained that the screenplay became dry and the pacing slowed to a crawl, making the nearly three-hour runtime feel “excessive.”
The “Big M” Conundrum: Wasted Star Power?
The biggest draw of “Patriot” was the reunion of the legends. While Mammootty received praise for his “powerful performance” and “exemplary” portrayal of a man on the run, the treatment of Mohanlal has become a lightning rod for criticism.
Playing Col. Rahim Naik, Mohanlal appears in what many have termed a “glorified cameo” or an “extended special appearance.” While his entry scene was hailed as “excellent” and “full of aura,” fans were left bitter by the lack of meaningful screen time.
“How can you bring both stars together and fail so miserably at presenting them well?” questioned one frustrated viewer on social media.
Another user was even more blunt, stating, “Director was clueless what to do with Big M’s.”
Supporting Cast: Hits and Misses
The film boasts an ensemble that most directors would dream of, yet the execution seems to have left them stranded.
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Fahadh Faasil as the antagonist, Shakthi Sundaram, was noted for his typical intensity, but some felt his character arc was “flat” until the very end.
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Nayanthara, despite the massive buzz surrounding her casting, was described as “underutilized” with some suggesting she had very little impact on the overall story.
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Kunchacko Boban and Zarin Shihab received decent marks for their performances, providing much-needed support in a script that many found “too technical” and lacking “emotional stakes.”
Technical Brilliance vs. Narrative Void
Technically, “Patriot” is hard to fault. The cinematography by Manush Nandan and the background score by Sushin Shyam have been largely appreciated. The film avoids “unnecessary masala moments” and attempts to stay true to its theme of digital surveillance and privacy.
But as one reviewer pointed out, “How can you make a thriller without any real stakes or a strong villain? There’s nothing urgent to solve.” The lack of a “strong emotional anchor” meant that for the average moviegoer looking for a “mass” entertainer, the film felt like a “slow-burn” that never actually caught fire.
The Verdict from the Digital Trenches
The digital verdict is leaning heavily toward “Average” or “Below Average.” Ratings of 2/5 and 3/5 are common, with fans walking out of theaters feeling underwhelmed. Even the digital partner, Zee5, wasn’t spared, with some users jokingly (or perhaps seriously) suggesting that the platform’s association with the film was a bad omen from the start.
In summary, “Patriot” serves as a cautionary tale: a great cast and a talented director do not always equal a great movie if the script lacks the “soul” and “stakes” to keep the audience invested. While it may find some love among fans of realistic espionage dramas, for the general public, it seems this mission was a bit too “impossible” to enjoy.
