The Secret of Women Malayalam Movie Review

The Secret of Women Malayalam Movie Review

Feature Film | 2025 | UA | Drama, Mystery | 1h 38min
Critics:

The Secret of Women: A Subtle Yet Powerful Mystery Drama

Prajesh Sen's The Secret of Women skillfully explores the resilience of two women from contrasting backgrounds, weaving a mystery drama that critiques patriarchy while balancing intrigue and emotion.
Feb 2, 2025 By K. R. Rejeesh

With a prologue that seamlessly connects to its climax, The Secret of Women unfolds as a gripping mystery drama. Writer-director Prajesh Sen, known for Captain and Vellam, crafts an atmospheric narrative that initially introduces eccentric moments before honing in on two women from different social strata. While their settings-one rural, the other urban-are distinct, the director highlights an underlying commonality: the omnipresent toxicity of their worlds. Based on a story by Pradeep Kumar V V, the film follows Jeena George (Niranjana Anoop), an apartment resident, and Sheela (Suma Devi), a woman living in isolation on a lake island.


The film begins with Senthil (Adheesh Damodaran) attempting to break into Jeena's apartment at night, while in another sequence, Sheela rescues Eldho (Midhun Venugopal) from a suicide attempt. Ironically, both men soon become entangled in the lives of these women for different reasons. Sen presents two vulnerable men who find solace in women who, despite their struggles, display remarkable resilience. Eldho, battling internal conflicts regarding his sexual identity, seeks refuge with Sheela, confiding in her about his reluctance to marry.


As the narrative shifts between Jeena and Sheela, a third mysterious figure emerges-Melbin (Aju Varghese), a man who spies on Jeena, a divorcee tormented by threatening calls from her ex-husband. Meanwhile, the timid Senthil gradually forms a bond with Jeena, adding another layer to the film's psychological dynamics. However, despite the weight of her role, Niranjana Anoop's performance falls short, failing to fully capture the depth of her character. At times, this results in insipid moments, although the film largely sustains its aura of mystery.


Sheela's fortitude, in contrast, is compelling. Her struggles, particularly her encounters with the wealthy and predatory Zakir (Zakir Manoli), are portrayed with authenticity. Suma Devi delivers a naturalistic performance, effectively conveying Sheela's anguish and strength. Adheesh Damodaran also does justice to his role as a soft-spoken thief, despite limited dialogue. However, Midhun Venugopal's portrayal of Eldho falters, as his exaggerated expressions dampen the film's emotional depth.


At one hour and thirty-eight minutes, The Secret of Women intricately reveals how two women subtly yet masterfully manipulate the men who cross their paths. A lingering shot of the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile serves as a fitting metaphor for their actions. Underneath the film's mystery, Sen astutely critiques patriarchal structures, demonstrating how power shifts in unexpected ways. While the performances are uneven, the film's thematic strength ensures its impact. Having garnered accolades at Indian film festivals, The Secret of Women stands as a thought-provoking exploration of quiet resilience and female agency.

K. R. Rejeesh

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