1 by Two is a psychological thriller that certainly tries to stand out from the usual fare in Indian cinema. Arun Kumar Aravind takes a bold step by experimenting with narrative structure and tackling darker, more psychological themes. There are moments where the film feels unique and visually striking, and the performances, especially from Fahadh Faasil, really help to anchor the story. The cinematography is moody and atmospheric, complementing the somber tone of the film, and the story's exploration of guilt, trauma, and fractured identities feels like it's aiming for something deeper.
But despite these positives, I couldn't help but feel that 1 by Two fell short of its potential. For starters, the film is excessively long. At over two and a half hours, the pacing becomes a real issue. What begins as an intriguing mystery soon turns into a slow, meandering plot that drags on for far too long. There were moments when I found myself losing interest simply because the film seemed to be going in circles, rather than driving the story forward.
Another big problem is the way the narrative jumps between flashbacks and the current timeline. While I can appreciate a good non-linear story, 1 by Two doesn't handle this very well. The transitions are confusing and, at times, disorienting. Instead of creating tension or suspense, these jumps muddle the plot and make it hard to keep track of what's happening. I found myself constantly questioning where I was in the story, and not in a good way.
The film's somber tone also weighs heavily on it. While a psychological thriller doesn't need to be upbeat, the overall mood of 1 by Two feels too heavy, too often. It lacks the balance that could have made it more engaging. Instead, it feels like it's stuck in the same dark, gloomy atmosphere for most of the runtime, which can be exhausting as a viewer. Even the moments of revelation or resolution don't provide much relief.
I will give the film credit for trying something different, though. The themes it tackles, particularly around mental illness and trauma, are complex and rarely explored in Malayalam cinema. It's clear that the filmmakers wanted to offer something thought-provoking, and in some ways, they succeed. But that success is overshadowed by the film's structural issues, making it feel more convoluted than clever.
In the end, 1 by Two is a film that had a lot of potential but doesn't quite live up to it. The strong performances and cinematography can't fully save it from its slow pace and confusing narrative structure. While I can appreciate the effort to do something different, the execution left me feeling more frustrated than thrilled.
