Sumathi Valavu: Arjun Ashokan-Starrer Gets Mixed Reactions For Genre Shift And Weak Second Half
Sumathi Valavu, the Malayalam-language horror-comedy rooted in folklore and ghost lore from Mylamoodu, finally hit theatres across Kerala today, August 1, 2025. Directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar and written by Abhilash Pillai, the film stars Arjun Ashokan, Saiju Kurup, Balu Varghese, and Sshivada in key roles.
Inspired by the decades-old local legend of a pregnant Tamil woman murdered by her lover in the 1950s, whose spirit is said to haunt a thicket in Thiruvananthapuram, the film blends the supernatural with satire. Set in the fictionalised world of Sumathi Valavu, it follows a group of people whose lives spiral into chaos after they cross paths with the ghost said to guard the place.
Also, read| Arjun Ashokan’s Horror Comedy ‘Sumathi Valavu’ Hits Theatres Today
As the film hit theatres, let’s look at what social media is saying.
One X user wrote: “Horror-Comedy genre, but neither of them worked. Zero impact. Amateurish direction & performances. Terrible script, with no connection b/w any events & characters. BGM is the only positive. HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED.”
Watched #SumathiValavu
Horror-Comedy genre, but neither of them worked. Zero impact.
Amateurish direction & performances.Terrible script, with no connection b/w any events & characters.
BGM is the only positive.
HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED
1/5 pic.twitter.com/ntylYQjADT— Aditya Binu (@aditya_binu) August 1, 2025
Another viewer noted on X that Sumathi Valavu started strong, with a first half that remained loyal to its horror-comedy genre and featured a genuinely tense interval block. However, they felt the film faltered in the second half, where an abrupt shift toward romance disrupted the narrative and failed to resonate.
after a promising first half sticking so true to its genre and a terrific interval block that had genuine tense moments, the film took a deep dip in the second half, as the genre shift from horror to romance never worked pic.twitter.com/NHsBVb4XJT
— Manu Thankachy (@manuthankachy) August 1, 2025
A moviegoer wrote: “Superb First Half, followed by an average second half, But still climax neat and thrilling.”
Superb First Half,followed by an average second half, But still climax neat and thrilling.
ആദ്യ പകുതിമാത്രം കണ്ടാൽ കൊടുക്കുന്ന പൈസ worth ആണ്.2nd half ക്ലൈമാക്സ് വരെ മെയിൻ പ്ലോട്ടിൽ നിന്ന് മാറി പോയതാണ് മെയിൻ പാളിച്ച.
സ്റ്റിൽ വാച്ചബിൾ ആണ് ക്ലൈമാക്സ് പരിഗണിച്ചാൽ https://t.co/Cftzx8DGv3 pic.twitter.com/mFzyF50qfC
— UnniMukundan 360° (@UnniMu360) August 1, 2025
Cinema reviewing account Cine Times review: “Sumathi Valavu is a poorly structured film with an overcrowded cast. The first half teases horror, but it vanishes after the interval, making way for a dull romance track. Weak performances, bland execution, BGM works in parts & low technical quality make it a tedious watch.”
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#SumathiValavu is a poorly structured film with an overcrowded cast . The first half teases horror, but it vanishes after the interval, making way for a dull romance track. Weak performances, bland execution , bgm works in parts & low technical quality make it a tedious watch. pic.twitter.com/lNSzz8NbVR
— CINE TIMES 📽️ (@Cinetimess) August 1, 2025
