Some reviews for the Malayalam crime thriller Pradhama Drishtya Kuttakkar are superlative. One reviewer called it a "brilliant" investigative thriller.
Directed by Shahad Nilambur, the film's tense cat-and-mouse dynamic has been regarded as a major highlight. Its pacing and screenplay are being praised.
Critics appreciate the core setup of four police personnel attempting to cover up an accidental death at their station while being investigated by a seasoned crime branch officer, DySP Harris Meeran (Vijayaraghavan). The dynamic between Parvathy Thiruvothu's character, Aleena, and Vijayaraghavan's investigator is widely highlighted as one of the film's strongest elements. The cinematography and score are praised for "building claustrophobia and sustained tension".
There are negative points as well. Some reviewers point out that the central plot relies heavily on convenient script devices, which makes parts of the narrative feel weak or repetitive. Multiple critics note strong narrative echoes of films like Drishyam and Nayattu, which prevents the movie from feeling fully fresh or distinct. At roughly 2 hours and 41 minutes, critics consistently mention that the second half drags and could have benefited from a tighter edit.
