Here is a look at how movies that released in theaters and OTT platforms this week fared and which one of them made the cut with both the critics and the audience:
1. Lift (Tamil - Disney Plus Hotstar)
Lift comes with a fresh idea of equating toxic work culture to actual horror and the relatability factor seemed to have clicked with the viewers. The Kavin, Amritha Iyer starrer directed by Vineeth Varaprasad may not be the regional Evil Dead as advertised, but it sure makes for a decent watch. (Movie Review)
2. Sivakumarin Sabadham (Tamil)
The movie is yet another repeat of Hiphop Tamizha Aadhi's formulaic underdog with a mission, except this time it gets drowned in too many songs and jokes. It revolves around Sivakumar, grandson of a respected weaver and his tryst with love, proving himself, family and more. (Movie Review)
3. Rudra Thandavam (Tamil)
Rudra Thandavam is directed by Mohan G, whose previous outing Draupathi had caused a furore over certain caste depictions. This second outing however seems to have impressed the viewers better since it speaks about issues like drug abuse and anti-social elements that affect future generation. Richard Rishi plays a cop in this film who gets trapped in a Protection of Civil Rights case and Gautham Menon the villain. (Movie Review)
4. No Time to Die (English)
Actor Daniel Craig makes his last outing as 007 in this 25th movie of the James Bond franchise. Oscar award winning actor Rami Malek plays villain in this film which moves around his obsession to take over the world with nanobots that act like death-inducing viruses and Bond's tryst to stop him. The movie makes for an entertaining watch for both fans and non-fans.
5. Republic (Telugu)
One of this week's best releases, Republic is a hard-hitting political drama that makes you think. The movie revolves around Panja Abhiram (Sai Dharam Tej) who chooses civil services over MIT and tries to fight corruption and the political system. An intense movie with an even more intense ending.
MC Pick: Republic, Lift