Manmadhan

This 2004 Tamil film opens with Mythili meeting Madhan, who looks exactly like the serial killer in her nightmares. She is both drawn to him and frightened; the narrative reveals who he is early and leaves its tension to that becoming known. The most problematic aspect is the killer's rationale. He selects his victims by a moral standard, and the narrative does not entirely reject that standard; the frame built around women's behaviour is what cannot be defended today. Silambarasan leads and took part in the writing. The production scale was large for the time; the music and editing follow commercial standards. Jyothika appears opposite him. Who it's for: those curious about 2000s Tamil thrillers. Who it's not for: viewers troubled by violence against women presented with a moral justification; the film makes it the basis of the narrative.