After watching Season 1 of Kerala Crime Files, I wrote, “Written poor, but executed well.” Season 2 flips that statement. Read the Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review for more, No Major Spoilers ahead.
This time, Bahul Ramesh takes charge of the writing, and similar to Season 1, the story pulls you in from the very first episode. But not through flashy twists or over-the-top reveals—rather, through carefully crafted character layers, subtle cues, and emotional hooks. It’s no longer about “what happens next” but more about “who they are?”
Writing That Respects Its Characters
Bahul who previously wrote Kishkindha Kaandam, doesn’t rush to shock you. He builds tension by slowly revealing the people behind the plot. Take Shyju Bhai, the police officer assisting SI Noble. He’s not loud or dramatic—his brilliance lies in small gestures and quiet observations. And it’s exactly this subtlety that makes the show more gripping than many fast-paced thrillers.
If you’ve seen Kishkindha Kaandam, you might’ve noticed—except Aparna Balamurali (who represents the viewer), every character is cryptic, with layers that slowly unfold. Bahul uses the same approach here.
Though it may look like an event-driven thriller on the surface, I found it to be more of a character-driven mystery. That’s rare in Indian web series. What Bahul has done here is borrow the stillness of indie crime films and blend it with procedural drama, adding emotional recall through visual and narrative cues.
CPO Ambili Raju (Indrans) and Ayyappan (Harisree Ashokan), though they don’t get much screen time, leave a lasting impact. Their characters are mysterious, quiet, and reveal themselves gradually with each episode.
Dogs, Details, and a Thematic Echo
If Kishkindha Kaandam used monkeys as a narrative metaphor, here Bahul uses dogs. They aren’t just background elements—they walk silently through every episode, tied to the story, the characters, and the trauma. There’s a murder, an investigation, and a childhood memory—all connected to a dog. Every thread feels intentional.
The way Bahul uses this thematic echo—repeating visuals of dogs, loyalty, bonds, and betrayal—to create emotional undercurrents is brilliant. It reminded me of The Banshees of Inisherin, where animals act as emotional mirrors. It also brought to mind Parinamam by M.P. Narayana Pillai, where dogs are used throughout the novel in a similar metaphorical way. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bahul has read that novel.
Another detail I appreciated: whenever a viewer might develop a doubt, the next scene often features a character voicing that very same question. It’s thoughtful writing that respects the intelligence of its audience.
Same Frame, Better Picture
Despite the change in writers, the overall structure of Season 2 mirrors that of Season 1: a murder, an investigation, and a reveal in the final episode.
In terms of execution, the framework isn’t radically different if you’re a fan of thrillers. Past and present intercut, truth revealed at the end—a Memento-style approach is present here, like Mystic River or our own Malayalam thriller Memories, where a past trauma anchors a current crime mystery.
Instead of revealing everything linearly, the plot is broken into modules—glimpses of childhood, the current investigation, and side character arcs (like Ayyappan, Ambili, and a few other characters). Each piece seems unrelated until the final episode, where they all snap together.
In Season 1, I felt the villain’s motive lacked depth. Here, the antagonist’s motive is much stronger, rooted in emotion and personal pain. By Episode 5, seasoned viewers might start solving the “why” and “how.” Episode 6 completes the puzzle by revealing the “who.”
Abdul Wahab’s music plays gently in the background but rises at the right moments—it complements the scenes rather than dominating them. Jithin Stanislaus’ cinematography, especially in the night sequences, adds mood and shadow to the mystery.
As for performances, Indrans and Harisree Ashokan deliver some of their best, despite their limited screen time. Aju Varghese and Lal maintain the same chemistry and tone from Season 1, adding consistency to the evolving story. Together, the team elevates this season beyond expectations.
Final Verdict
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 is still a slow burn, but this time, the fire feels intentional. The emotional weight is stronger. The characters are deeper. The motive is real. And the writing? It finally respects the audience.