
The Smile Man Movie Review – The Smile Man introduces us to Chidambaram Nedumaran, a retired cop grappling with Alzheimer’s, who is reluctantly pulled back into action to hunt down a serial killer known as the Smile Man. This enigmatic murderer leaves a grisly signature on his victims—a carved smile that is as chilling as it is grotesque. At first glance, the premise promises a gripping cat-and-mouse game, but what unfolds is a lackluster thriller that meanders more than it thrills.
Sarathkumar takes center stage as Chidambaram, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a man struggling with the fragments of his memory. His golden years, stolen by Alzheimer’s, are further disrupted by the emergence of this killer. The film opens with tension, but the suspense quickly dissipates as the narrative relies heavily on flashbacks. While these glimpses into Chidambaram’s past explain an accident that worsened his condition and a connection to his missing colleague Venkatesan (Suresh Menon), they often feel like a crutch rather than a compelling storytelling device.
The plot thickens when Arvind, Venkatesan’s son and now a cop, enters the fray. He suspects a connection between his father’s disappearance and the Smile Man’s reign of terror. As Chidambaram chases fragmented clues offered by his faltering memory, he repeatedly arrives at crime scenes moments too late. This pattern becomes predictable, and the killer, always one step ahead, seems to taunt him—or perhaps it’s the script that’s toying with the audience.
Unfortunately, the film lacks the urgency and tension needed for a solid thriller. Chidambaram’s memory lapses are used more as a plot gimmick than an insightful exploration of his condition. The Smile Man himself is barely fleshed out, his motivations explained in a hurried backstory that feels unconvincing. Despite the grim visuals, eerie locations, and ominous score, the emotional impact of the murders falls flat.
Sarathkumar remains the film’s saving grace, skillfully capturing Chidambaram’s confusion and determination. However, the script doesn’t give his character the depth it deserves. Kalaiyarasan, as the antagonist, has a few strong moments but is held back by a thinly written role that fails to make him truly menacing.
The Smile Man Movie Review ultimately highlights a film that falls short of its potential. While it has the ingredients for a compelling serial killer story, it serves up a dish that feels half-baked. It’s not terrible—it’s just terribly average, leaving viewers wishing for the tense, gripping thriller it could have been.