Strong Cast, Killer Twist. Review on Eleven

After a long time I got to see a decent, highly suspenseful crime thriller in Telugu. Eleven, directed by Lokkesh Ajls, is a bilingual Tamil/Telugu movie, released recently. The plot was very simple but refreshing, and comes with a surprising end. It would be unfair to reveal the climax, but it was one of the best I have seen in the last few years. The beauty of this movie is that it keeps things simple, but the plot runs high on adrenaline. It is based in Vizag, and with Naveen Chandra in the lead, I simply couldnt miss this one.

The story begins with a series of murders in Vizag, all following a similar pattern. ACP Aravind is assigned to the case after the previous officer, ACP Ranjith(Shashank), is injured in an accident. This proves to be the toughest case of his life. As Aravind digs deeper, he discovers a connection between the victims and a school called Twin Bird, which exclusively enrolls twins. The first half is quite slow, with Aravind picking up clues, leads, and evidence. However, it leads him to dead ends. The real twists and emotional moments come in the second half, especially during a flashback that reveals the killers motive. The motive reveals the killer and the climax ends on a high.

Unlike most south Indian movies, Eleven doesnt solely rely on great writing. Apart from the plot, the acting is top-notch. It's not just action and fights, but pure emotions and intensity. Naveen Chandra as ACP Aravind is fantastic and keeps the calm, serious composure that looks natural. Abhirami, as the school teacher and Shashank as injured ACP Ranjith have small but impactful roles. Each actor brings something unique to their roles, but the focus is clearly on Naveen Chandras Aravind.

Yes, the story drags a little in the beginning and we feel that most of it is unnecessary. The first half is all about introduction of new characters and collection of clues. It does not necessarily help the climax. The second half picks up pace but until then you start to see some loopholes that the director must have left untouched to complete the climax. Nevertheless, there are plenty of moments of genuine suspense. The screenplay is amazing and the cinematography top-notch. The fast-paced camera actions, the eerie atmosphere of Vizag, and the background score by D. Imman adds to the tension in every scene.

Eleven is a mix of emotional and thriller rollercoaster. It has a lot of ups and downs that finally result in a suspenseful and totally unexpected end. The story is fresh and unique and dark. While Naveen stands out, he needed support from more well-developed characters. If you are a fan of crime thrillers and enjoy Naveen Chandras acting, Eleven is worth a watch. It is a decent one-time watch in the theatres.