Maranamass

A serial killer is loose in a town and nobody knows who it is. At the same time a group of people who do not know each other board the same bus: an old man, a couple running away, a young man in debt, and a few more passengers. The bus breaks down. One of them is the killer being hunted and the others do not know. They have to stay on the bus through the night. Sivaprasad's film moves between black comedy and thriller. The narrative draws its tension from what the audience knows and the characters do not; it reveals who it is early and leaves the rest to waiting. Basil Joseph heads the cast. It is one of the recent small-budget, single-location productions of Malayalam cinema. Who it's for: Viewers who like Malayalam thrillers, black humour, and single-location structures. Who it's not for: The violence is harsh and its use alongside comedy will not suit every viewer. There are also a great many characters.