Officer on Duty

The first half of this is a great procedural thriller. Good attention to detail, very fast paced, logical, great score, cinematic. Then the Saw soundtrack gets plagiarised, and some flashbacks start happening (like those movies) that start stretching logic to breaking point. Throughout the second half, you'll be so distracted by various motives, and how certain characters would have achieved certain things (and found certain people, and why) that all the credibility of the first half starts draining fast. It was all just washing over me by the overlong climax.

It's a shame, because without addressing motive with the emotional intelligence of a ten year old, it could have been great (and forty minutes shorter). It's the same "ugh, really?" feeling I had in the last act of Spectre. It ends up turning the very real problem of child grooming and abuse into a really ignorant plot device.

Also, the divisive framing of these characters into 'villains' and 'hero' leaves a bad taste the more you think about what actually happened. The general idea could have been dealt with so much more intelligently (like The Last Of Us Part 2 for eg.).

Shahi Kabir's most mainstream thriller screenplay (..thus far) largely works because of its strong performances and technical efforts. Yes, there are some usual cop movie tropes like the PTSD-induced protagonist, his family eventually coming under threat, rape-revenge-blackmail implementing baddies, and so on. But credit where it's due, this absolutely does NOT feel like a debut director's work. Jithu Ashraf (who also acts in a key role) understands the assignment and navigates the splendidly-paced screenplay in a non-linear manner, making most of the little details matter. Kunchacko Boban pulls off CI Harishankar like a seasoned veteran, letting his rugged body language do most of the heavy lifting. We learn of the character's past in a sufficiently effective flashback, and to some extent, such an evolution contributes to the physicality involved in the latter acts. The stylized gang of baddies, led by Vishak Nair, includes some interesting finds.

Roby Varghese Raj (director of Kannur Squad) is cranking the camera here, and his shaky, handheld approach works wonders for the chase and fight sequences. Chaman Chakko is now an editor in high demand, and the way he paces the film and weaves the action in between regular procedural scenes (and toys with contrasting lighting) is excellent. Jakes Bejoy uses a little too much Saw-inspired score, but he succeeds in delivering a solid soundtrack overall; a couple of soundbites are instant earworms.

Also, the women in the film (other than the victims) hold their ground. That goes for Priyamani, the two women antagonists, and even the little girl who plays Harishankar's younger daughter. A fight sequence set inside a mortuary is deliciously choreographed and shot. The final act does lose a bit of steam and reminds you of Memories, yet the film manages to keep you on edge. Though somewhat formulaic and predictable in places, I'll recommend Officer on Duty for those who enjoy intense, sporadically violent cop thrillers.

What a movie this is the best of 2025 this is a movie you should watch in theatre it demands for it a complete kunchako boban show he just rulled the movie the villain gang bro they were just too good especially vishak 🔥🔥 bro he has a great future pure villanism and this movie keeps you thrilled throughout the action choreography especially the mortuary fight scene my man a sureshot banger 🔥i the intro shot itself promised something big is coming a full on full engaging thriller the best 💯 theatrical experience of 2025 of mine Chackocha enthoru acting minimum garuntee go blindly you will enjoy it.

"Officer on Duty" is an amazing crime thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The movie delivers a gripping experience, packed with intense moments, solid action, and a thought-provoking message.

Kunchacko Boban absolutely nailed his role with outstanding acting. His performance carried the film, making every scene feel real and powerful. Whether it was the action sequences, the emotional moments, or the intense confrontations, he handled it all brilliantly. This is easily one of his best performances, and he completely owned the character.

The film's storyline is not just about action and suspense; it also raises awareness about the safety of young girls, which makes it even more impactful. It sheds light on hidden criminal gangs that exist in society, adding a layer of realism to the thriller. The way the film presents this issue is both shocking and eye-opening, making the audience think beyond just the entertainment value.

From the very beginning, the movie sets a serious and intense tone, keeping you hooked till the end. The first half moves at a perfect pace, with thrilling sequences that keep building tension. However, the second half felt a little stretched at times. Some scenes could have been trimmed to make the pacing even sharper. But despite that, the overall experience remained engaging.

One of the biggest highlights of Officer on Duty is its action sequences. The fight scenes were outstanding, executed with great choreography and intensity. Every punch and move felt real, making the action sequences highly impactful. The way these scenes were shot, along with the powerful background score, gave me goosebumps. It's the kind of action that feels raw and immersive, making it even more thrilling to watch on the big screen.

Speaking of sound, the background music and sound effects were top-notch. The music played a huge role in building tension, making certain scenes even scarier. There were moments where the sound design alone added to the suspense, making you feel completely absorbed in the movie. The eerie and intense music created the perfect atmosphere for a crime thriller like this.

Overall, Officer on Duty is an amazing crime thriller that deserves to be watched in theatres. It delivers a thrilling experience with a great mix of action, suspense, and a meaningful message. Despite a slightly stretched second half, the movie keeps you engaged throughout. Kunchacko Boban's performance, the action sequences, and the gripping story make this one of his best films. If you love crime thrillers, this is a must-watch!

I was really excited about this movie, and it was surprising to learn that it was the only one certified as a hit in theaters last month. I won't say praise the screenplay much, it's not the best one from Shahi but it's still an engaging one. There were a few plotholes in the film and it could have been easily avoided.

I think ' Officer on Duty' is one of the biggest hits of Kunchak's career and he has portrayed his role properly. Recently, he has been selecting some quality scripts. Kudos to that effort.

Another highlight of this film, is the music from Jakes Bejoy. The soundtrack is very apt for a movie like this.

The production design was also okay but as mentioned above there are a few plotholes that could have been easily avoided. What I'm talking about are things that the filmmakers could have easily sorted, and everyone watching the movie would easily notice those elements.