Tovino Thomas’ Narivetta recently completed its 50-day theatrical run, emerging as an impressive box office hit with a staggering collection of INR 31.43 crores against its INR 10 crore budget. However, its overall reception, both critical and audience, has been highly mixed. This Anuraj Manohar film is now available for streaming on SonyLIV.
Despite the mixed reviews, what has stood out the most is the leading man’s breathtaking performance. Many critics and viewers have declared Thomas’s work in Narivetta a career-best performance.
Most reviews praised the film’s “brave and bold” attempt to explore its setting and lauded Thomas’s on-screen work. However, criticism has largely been aimed at its muddled screenplay, weak writing, and lack of emotional impact. Moreover, Jakes Bejoy’s music has received a muted response from viewers.
Viewers have also praised the film’s technical aspects, especially its cinematography, noting its crucial role in enhancing the viewing experience, particularly in the second half. The film has been commended for its good intentions and for tackling a politically sensitive, important subject inspired by true events, highlighting issues of land rights and tribal slavery.
However, other criticisms include the narrative’s impact being diluted by creative choices, such as the absence of a tribal protagonist, which led to a less authentic portrayal of the victims’ struggles. Pacing issues and unnecessary subplots are also cited as detracting from the core theme and wasting screen time.
Overall, Narivetta is considered a one-time watch with strong potential that falls short of its full impact due to narrative and scripting choices, despite its good intentions and technical proficiency, according to audience responses.
Here are some of the latest reviews for Tovino Thomas’s Narivetta!
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Narivetta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Narivetta</a> Review. <br><br>One man show <a href=”https://twitter.com/ttovino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ttovino</a>. Especially in vaynad protest scenes and climax. His Performance Peaked. <br><br>Visually stunning with rich frames. Excellent music & BGM. Technically Top – notch. <br><br>Tovino Thomas & Surajettan scenes Superb. <br> Satisfied, Lovedil it. <a href=”https://t.co/OSvhTmstm7″>pic.twitter.com/OSvhTmstm7</a></p>— Cinema. Spot. (@AvinashTVinod5) <a href=”https://twitter.com/AvinashTVinod5/status/1943566058180481508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Sure, there have been flaws (negligible) and script may have been a bit muddled, but despite its insignificant shortcomings, <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Narivetta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Narivetta</a> worked well for me. It’s completely <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/tovinothomas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#tovinothomas</a> – led ❤️ he’s the driving force and boy, Varghese’s vulnerability had me Could… <a href=”https://t.co/zAdV4ll3px”>pic.twitter.com/zAdV4ll3px</a></p>— Archana Akka aka Ranjith Sir (@akkaonfire) <a href=”https://twitter.com/akkaonfire/status/1943542995019874540?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>My review of <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Narivetta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Narivetta</a><br>A powerful one-man show by <a href=”https://twitter.com/ttovino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@ttovino</a> <br>His performance peaks during the Wayanad protest & the soul-crushing climax.<br>The emotional bond built by the director is unforgettable.<br><br>Tears rolled down when the dog cried for its master. That scene burned my heart <a href=”https://t.co/3TNPGDKwiY”>pic.twitter.com/3TNPGDKwiY</a></p>— Shreylord (@Shreyylord) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Shreyylord/status/1943416136764395607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 10, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Narivetta is barely watchable. Poor execution of a solid theme. <br><br>Average <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Narivetta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Narivetta</a> <a href=”https://t.co/yPf16CUwtC”>pic.twitter.com/yPf16CUwtC</a></p>— Veekay (@whyShagAjith) <a href=”https://twitter.com/whyShagAjith/status/1943577390908662035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”><a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Narivetta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Narivetta</a> is a well-intentioned and technically proficient film that tackles a significant socio-political issue with sincerity but stumbles due to its narrative choices and pacing. Tovino Thomas and Suraj Venjaramoodu deliver standout performances, supported by Arya Salim’s… <a href=”https://t.co/5HMDsgmCVG”>pic.twitter.com/5HMDsgmCVG</a></p>— KRoshan (@Kroshan4k) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Kroshan4k/status/1943594262702235785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>July 11, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
