Kalamkaval, the 2025 Malayalam crime thriller directed by debutant Jithin K. Jose, delivers Mammootty’s darkest avatar as sociopath Stanley Das—a serial killer evading justice across decades. Released December 5, 2025 (2h19m runtime), the film follows Crime Branch officer Jayashankar (Vinayakan) unraveling 20+ missing women cases in a tense village setting. Pinkvilla praises Mammootty’s “venomous turn” dominating the slow-burn narrative, though the “predetermined chase” feels predictable. Strong supporting cast (Meera Jasmine, Gibin Gopinath) and Faisal Ali’s visuals elevate the Zodiac-style structure.

Kalamkaval: Ratings & Key Stats

Aspect	Details
Release Date	Dec 5, 2025 (Kerala theaters)
Runtime	2h19m (U/A certificate)
Director	Jithin K. Jose (debut)
Lead Cast	Mammootty (Stanley Das), Vinayakan (Jayashankar)
IMDb Rating	8.2/10 (early user reviews)
Genre	Crime Thriller
Music	Mujeeb Majeed

Box office buzz: Strong opening, praised for emotional depth over mass appeal.

Review Highlights

Mammootty’s controlled menace as the sociopath carries the film—silent stares more terrifying than screams. Vinayakan’s grounded cop adds realism, while riot sequences and investigation tension grip. Emotional beats shine through subtlety: buried trauma, communal fear, moral ambiguity. Predictability hampers thrills, but visuals and performances (excellent ensemble) compensate. Verdict: Must-watch for Mammootty fans; solid slow-burner.