A Decent Portrayal of Childhood Trauma's Lasting Impact (Image: Instagram/edmovie)
Malayalam cinema has given us many films that explore the complexities of the human psyche. The movie ED (Extra Decent) takes a nosedive into the darkest corners of the human mind, revealing the deepest fears, desires, and emotions that shape us. With its bold storytelling and unflinching honesty, ED is a film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
Directed by Aamir Pallikkal and produced by Listin Stephen and Suraj Venjaramoodu, this psychological thriller takes the audience on a psychic trip into the darkest recesses of a troubled mind, slowly exposing the consequences of childhood trauma and parental neglect.
(Spoiler Alert)
The narrative unfolds as we are introduced to Binu (Suraj Venjaramoodu), a young man affectionately referred to as “Extra Decent” by everyone in his neighbourhood.
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As the story progresses, we learn that Binu’s life has been irreparably scarred by the tragic loss of his brother, for whom he had deep affection and a strong bond.
This loss, combined with the emotional abandonment he faced from his parents, profoundly impacted him and further led him to abide by childhood trauma.
The film’s non-linear storytelling skilfully enlaces fragments of Binu’s past, which revealed a wistful childhood marked by his father’s hostility and indifference.
Consumed by their own grief and guilt, Binu’s parents neglect their emotional needs, further feeling isolated and unloved as the lack of a nurturing environment exacerbates Binu’s emotional vulnerability and pushes him to become easy prey to the vicissitudes of life.
The supporting cast, which includes Sudheer Karamana, Grace Antony, Vinaya Prasad, Shyam Mohan, and Raffi, delivers strong performances that enhance the narrative’s depth and nuance.
The cinematography also impresses, effectively capturing the bleakness and desolation of Binu’s inner world, which was deluged by his deceased brother and his bereft memories.
Binu’s life takes a drastic turn when he discovers a shocking secret that the first half of the story revolves around: Binu’s relentless pursuit of revenge against his parents, who had been the reason for his failure in life and childhood trauma.
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As they struggle to adjust to city life, Binu manipulates them into severing ties with his sister. His sinister plan is to isolate his parents, making them vulnerable to his every move and silencing them from revealing the dark secrets of their past.
This revelation sparks a deep-seated anger and resentment within Binu, leading him to exact a twisted revenge on his parents.
Suraj Venjaramoodu is truly a phenomenal actor. His ability to switch to a psycho in an instant is remarkable, as we have seen his impressive talent right from the movie Action Hero Biju.
Sudheer Karamana and Vinaya Prasad also did a fantastic job, and the naive Sreedhevi from Manichitrathazhu, Vinaya Prasad attempted to portray a different character as her tour de force grabbed attention.
In the second half, the movie lags, and Binu’s plan is foiled when he is attacked by the security guard steered by Binu’s parents. The incident leaves Binu with amnesia, and his parents see this as an opportunity to erase the memories imprinted in his house and start anew.
In the second half of the film, the director gradually reveals the truth behind the psychopathic character, Binu, who inherits this trait from his mother.
She devises a plan to kill her own son. While Binu’s father, who has been completely rude throughout Binu’s childhood, begins to show some empathy towards him, his mother remains unchanged.
They attempt to carry out their plan by giving him an overdose of medication, but Suraj (Binu) starts to recover slowly, which alarms his parents as they fear he might regain all his memories.
As Binu’s memories begin to resurface, he starts to piece together the events of his past. In a dramatic climax, Binu confronts his parents, revealing that he has been scheming for revenge all along, taking the audience on an adventurous journey, although it falls short of delivering a satisfying conclusion.
The film’s portrayal of Binu’s relationship with his parents serves as a harsh critique of parental neglect and its devastating consequences, which reminds us of the severe trauma that can impact children. The performances of the actors, such as Grace Antony and Shyam Mohan, are particularly noteworthy, effectively bringing to life the complexities of a dysfunctional family.
In the climax, the audience can witness an exceptional performance by Suraj and his psychic character as the film’s thread bestows an important message about childhood trauma and the psychic traits as a consequence.
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Timeline Verdict: ED is a “decent” watch with an amnesiac son’s hidden trauma from parental ignorance and a doleful childhood that sparks a descent into madness. The protagonist’s transformation from victim to antagonist is a riveting narrative that makes the movie thrilling to watch. While the climax could be improved, the overall impact of the story and Suraj Venjaramoodu’s tour de force are undeniable.
ED – Extra Decent Crew
Direction: Aamir Pallikal
Writing: Ashif Kakkodi
Cinematographer: Sharon Sreenivas
Music: Ankit Menon
Cast: Suraj Venjaramoodu, Shyam Mohan, Grace Antony, Dilina Ramakrishnan, Vinaya Prasad, Sudheer Karamana, Alexander Prasanth, Sajin Cherukayil, Shaju KS, Vineeth Thattil David, and Raffi.
