Balan Malayalam Movie Review

Balan Movie Reviews

Feature Film | 2026 | UA | Drama, Thriller | 2h 27min
Critics:
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3.2
Critics
Where To Watch:
In Theaters: USA  INDIA  
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Review by: K. R. Rejeesh - NOWRUNNING
Chidambaram crafts a deeply moving drama about a mother and son bound by love, trauma, and survival, elevated by exceptional performances and sensitive storytelling.
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Review by: Anna Mathews - Times Of India
A novel survival story that fails to create an emotional connection. While the film has its share of taut moments, the emotions remain surprisingly muted. Particularly in the climax, although the resolution is interesting, the lack of a stronger emotional build-up prevents it from reaching its full potential.
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Review by: Satya - Gulte.com
Balan: The Boy, promised a lot in the first half and failed to deliver on the promise in the second half. It certainly deserves a watch for a superb first half, very good performances and a decent twist at the pre-climax.
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Review by: Latha Srinivasan - NDTV
A Survival Drama That Impresses For The Most Part. Given that this movie is a slow burner and unconventional, the audience's expectations of it being a commercial entertainer may lead to some disappointment.
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Baradwaj Rangan - Galatta Plus

Baradwaj Rangan - Galatta Plus
Review by: Anandu Suresh - Indian Express
A ‘survival’ drama that impresses in first half, but stumbles in second. After a couple of dull performances, Tovino Thomas hits a home run in Balan, but the movie belongs entirely to Farzana Palathingal.
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Review by: Sreeju Sudhakaran - rediff
A riveting mother-son drama with a superb first half, Balan: The Boy loses some of its grip after an ambitious but uneven turn.
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Review by: Santanu Das - Hindustan Times
Chidambaram's superbly crafted drama traces a mother and son hiding against the world. Balan The Boy is both ambitious and ambiguous. Like the best of films, it continues to linger and grow long after it is over.
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Review by: Vishal Menon - The Hollywood Reporter India
A Heartrending Drama That Meanders Too Far. Balan The Boy is a painful ode to lost innocence and a boyhood that never was. Adiseshan and Farzana are the beating heart of this poignant tale that stretches a bit too far near the end.
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Review by: Aswin Bharadwaj - Lensmen Reviews
A Delightful Combo of Character Exploration and Emotional Payoffs. With some refreshing casting choices and impressive performances, Chidambaram’s Balan: The Boy stays with you for all the right reasons.
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Review by: S. R. Praveen - The Hindu
A supremely crafted film in which everyone delivers their best. The Malayalam film ‘Balan’ is elevated by a strong technical team and fine performances. Director Chidambaram yet again proves his mastery over narrating a unique story.
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