Top 10 Malayalam Thriller Movies on OTT: Rekhachithram, Joji & More

Malayalam Thriller Movies on OTT

Malayalam cinema has built a strong reputation for crime thrillers, mystery dramas and slow-burn stories that rely more on characters and investigation than unnecessary action. If you enjoy movies where every clue matters and the story keeps changing your assumptions, there are plenty of Malayalam thrillers waiting to be discovered on OTT.

From Rekhachithram and Officer on Duty to Joji, Thudarum, Golam and Churuli, here are 10 Malayalam thriller movies worth adding to your OTT watchlist.

1. Rekhachithram

Release: 2025
Genre: Crime, Mystery Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: SonyLIV, aha, VI Movies & TV

Rekhachithram follows police officer Vivek Gopinath, who gets involved in a decades-old mystery while investigating a seemingly unrelated case. The investigation gradually connects the present with an unresolved disappearance linked to the world of an old Malayalam film. The movie mixes police investigation, mystery and elements of cinema history without revealing its biggest answers too early.

2. Officer on Duty

Release: 2025
Genre: Crime Thriller, Drama
Language: Malayalam
OTT: Netflix

Officer on Duty puts Kunchacko Boban in the role of a police officer whose investigation begins with a seemingly routine counterfeit-jewellery case.What looks like a straightforward investigation gradually leads him towards a much more dangerous criminal network. The film combines police work, action and crime while maintaining a gritty tone.

3. Joji

Release: 2021
Genre: Crime Drama, Psychological Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: Amazon Prime Video

Joji is a dark character-driven thriller inspired by William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The story revolves around Joji, a frustrated young man living with his wealthy family. His ambitions and resentment gradually push him towards decisions that have increasingly serious consequences. Fahadh Faasil’s performance is one of the film’s biggest strengths, while Dileesh Pothan’s direction keeps the atmosphere tense without depending on conventional action.

4. Thudarum

Release: 2025
Genre: Crime Thriller, Drama
Language: Malayalam
OTT: JioHotstar

Thudarum initially presents Mohanlal’s character Shanmugham as an ordinary family man whose life revolves around his family and his beloved Ambassador car. Things take a completely different turn when his car becomes connected to a serious criminal case. What follows is an increasingly tense story that reveals another side of a man who initially appears to have a simple life. Directed by Tharun Moorthy and starring Mohanlal and Shobana, the film became one of the notable Malayalam releases of 2025.

5. Golam

Release: 2024
Genre: Crime, Mystery Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: Amazon Prime Video

Golam begins with a mysterious death inside a corporate office. When a company executive is found dead, the incident initially appears to be an accident. However, investigating officer ASP Sandeep Krishna starts noticing details that suggest there could be more to the case. The movie turns an ordinary office environment into the setting for a contained mystery, with suspicion gradually spreading among the people connected to the victim.

6. Churuli

Release: 2021
Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery, Horror Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: SonyLIV

If you want something completely different from a conventional crime thriller, Churuli is worth trying. Two undercover police officers travel into a remote village while searching for a fugitive. Once they enter the strange settlement, however, the investigation turns into a surreal experience where reality itself begins to feel uncertain. Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, the film uses an unusual setting, unpredictable characters and an increasingly bizarre atmosphere.

7. Pravinkoodu Shappu

Release: 2025
Genre: Crime, Mystery Thriller, Dark Comedy
Language: Malayalam
OTT: SonyLIV

Pravinkoodu Shappu begins with a murder inside a toddy shop after a group of people spend the night drinking and playing cards. When the shop owner is found dead, police officer SI Santhosh begins questioning the people who were present. Every person appears to have something to hide, turning the investigation into a combination of mystery and dark humour. The film stars Soubin Shahir, Basil Joseph and Chemban Vinod Jose.

8. Anand Sreebala

Release: 2024
Genre: Crime, Mystery Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: Amazon Prime Video, ManoramaMAX

Anand Sreebala follows a young man who refuses to accept the conclusion that a law student’s mysterious death was simply a suicide. Determined to find out what really happened, Anand begins his own search for answers. As the investigation moves forward, he discovers secrets that make the case far more complicated than it first appeared. The film combines personal trauma with an investigative mystery and features Arjun Ashokan and other prominent Malayalam actors.

9. Heaven

Release: 2022
Genre: Crime, Mystery Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: JioHotstar

Heaven follows Circle Inspector Peter Kurishinkal, a police officer known for relying on observation and intelligence rather than brute force. His approach is put to the test when he is assigned a high-profile homicide case. As he begins examining the evidence, the investigation develops into a complicated mystery. Suraj Venjaramoodu leads the film, which focuses heavily on police investigation and the process of connecting seemingly unrelated clues.

10. Bougainvillea

Release: 2024
Genre: Crime Thriller, Psychological Thriller
Language: Malayalam
OTT: SonyLIV, VI Movies & TV

Bougainvillea revolves around a family caught in a police investigation involving the mysterious disappearance of tourists in Kerala. As investigators search for answers, the family’s own memories and past begin becoming increasingly important to the case. The movie combines crime investigation with psychological tension and keeps questioning what can actually be trusted.

Directed by Amal Neerad, the film stars Kunchacko Boban, Jyothirmayi and Fahadh Faasil.

FAQs

1. Which is the best Malayalam thriller on this list?

Rekhachithram, Joji and Officer on Duty are strong choices, but the best one depends on whether you prefer mystery, psychological drama or police crime thrillers.