Which are the OTT releases this week? With so many releases across platforms, here are 3 picks that I think are worth checking out. Family (Malyalam), Amaran and Lightshop are my suggestions. Why I pick those; scroll down to read more.
Jigra: A Shaky Jailbreak Drama
Platform: Netflix
Director: Vasan Bala
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Rahul Ravindran
Plot & Review: Jigra (2024)
Satya (Alia Bhatt) is an orphan fighting against time to save her brother Ankur (Vedang Raina) from a wrongful death sentence in a foreign prison. She teams up with a retired gangster (Manoj Pahwa) and an ex-cop (Rahul Ravindran) for a high-stakes jailbreak.
❤️ Alia Bhatt shines in a fierce and emotional role.
❌ Complicated storytelling with overlapping perspectives weakens the impact.
❌ Overblown climax overshadows moments of quiet brilliance.
Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video: Some Laugh Here and There
Platform: Netflix
Director: Raaj Shaandilyaa
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Triptii Dimri, Mallika Sherawat, Vijay Raaz, Archana Puran Singh
Plot & Review: Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video (2024)
Set in 1997, the film follows Vicky (Rajkummar Rao) and Vidya (Triptii Dimri) as their ‘voh wala video’ from their first night goes missing, triggering chaos.
❤️ Rajkummar Rao brings his signature charm to a familiar small-town character.
❌ Sluggish writing and outdated jokes fail to deliver consistent laughs.
❌ Wasted performances by a talented supporting cast, including Vijay Raaz and Mallika Sherawat.
Matka: A Gambler’s Tale Without Much High
Platform: Netflix
Director: Karuna Kumar
Cast: Varun Tej, Naveen Chandra, Kishore, Meenakshi Chaudhary
Plot & Review: Matka (2024)
Set between the 50s and 80s, Matka tells the rags-to-riches story of Vasu (Varun Tej). Starting from juvenile prison, Vasu’s journey involves underground fights, criminal schemes, and national-level scandals, culminating in a confrontation with the system.
❤️ Authentic period details in sets, costumes, and music elevate the experience.
❌ The narrative feels rushed, sidelining key characters and the titular gambling theme.
❌ Predictable arcs and repetitive storytelling reduce emotional engagement.
While Matka has its moments of mass and rage, overall it struggles to deliver a compelling and cohesive tale of gambling and power.
Amaran: A Good Tribute to Resilience
Platform: Netflix
Director: Rajkumar Periasamy
Cast: Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, Geetha Kailasam
Plot & Review: Amaran (2024)
Amaran showing us the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan (Sivakarthikeyan), balancing his journey as a soldier with a romantic storyline involving Indhu (Sai Pallavi).
❤️ Sivakarthikeyan delivers one of his career-best performances with restraint and depth.
❤️ A thoughtful narrative avoids jingoism, focusing on the sacrifices of soldiers and their families.
❌ Sai Pallavi’s accent occasionally detracts from her otherwise stellar portrayal.
With a decent screenplay, awesome performances, and GV Prakash’s evocative score, Amaran beautifully honours the unsung heroes and their families.
Light Shop: A Supernatural Mystery Worth Your Attention
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Director: Kim Hiewon
Cast: Ju Jihoon, Park Boyoung, Bae Seongwoo, Lee Jungeun, Kim Minha
Plot & Review: Light Shop (2024)
Set in a dark, mysterious neighbourhood, Light Shop follows six strangers struggling with traumatic pasts who stumble upon a glowing shop offering answers to their lives’ mysteries. With intertwined stories and a chilling atmosphere, the series explores life, death, and redemption.
❤️ The world-building and haunting visuals immerse viewers in the mysterious setting.
❤️ Park Boyoung delivers an emotional performance as a nurse grappling with her near-death experience.
❌ Multiple storylines may feel overwhelming without close attention.
With its mind-bending narrative and haunting visuals, Light Shop demands full focus but rewards viewers with suspense, emotion, and intrigue. A must-watch for fans of supernatural mysteries.
Sir: A Cliched Script With Some Highs
Platform: Aha
Director: Bose Venkat
Cast: Vemal, Saravanan, Chaya Devi
Plot & Review: Sir (2024)
Set in the 1980s, Sir follows Sivanyanam (Vemal) as he inherits his family’s mission to uplift a rural village through education. Battling caste oppression, superstitions, and societal resistance, he must overcome his own indifference to fulfill his father’s dream of turning their school into a higher secondary institution.
❤️ Vemal delivers a balanced performance, excelling in both light-hearted and serious moments.
❌ Repetitive storytelling and dated execution dilute the impact.
❌ Overstretched runtime and heavy-handed symbolism feel excessive.
While Sir has noble intentions but predictable narrative make it more of a lecture than a compelling drama.
Murphy: A Time-Travel Drama That Struggles to Connect
Platform: Amazon Prime
Director: BSP Varma
Cast: Roshini Prakash, Prabhu Mundkur, Dattanna
Plot & Review: Murphy (2024)
Murphy revolves around David (Prabhu Mundkur), who communicates with Janani (Roshini Prakash) from the past through a mysterious Murphy radio. The radio, tied to the tragic death of David’s father, stirs conflicts in his relationship with his grandfather Richie (Dattanna) while exploring themes of loss and love across timelines.
❤️ A fresh premise blending time travel with emotional storytelling rather than a cliched thriller narrative style.
❤️ Strong performances by Roshini Prakash and Prabhu Mundkur elevate the narrative.
❌ Weakly developed relationships and rushed subplots limit emotional impact.
While Murphy offers intriguing moments and quality performances, its lack of emotional depth holds it back from becoming a standout in the time-travel genre.
Family: A Subtle Narration That Questions Society
Platform: ManoramaMax
Director: Don Palathara
Cast: Vinay Forrt, Divya Prabha, Nilja K Baby, Mathew Thomas
Plot & Review: Family (2024)
Sony (Vinay Forrt), a well-regarded teacher in a conservative Christian village, is a seemingly upright figure protected by his family and community. Through a series of events, the film peels back layers to reveal unsettling truths about family dynamics and societal complicity.
❤️ Vinay Forrt delivers a nuanced performance, balancing the character’s deceptive warmth and underlying menace.
❤️ The metaphorical subplot involving a tiger cleverly mirrors the protagonist’s duality.
❌ Side characters, while believable, are underdeveloped with minimal screen time.
Family is a thought-provoking film that critiques societal and familial constructs. Worth watching for its layered storytelling and eerie undertones.