The upcoming Tamil film Stephen on Netflix has already excited us with a trailer that feels unsettling from its first shot. The story follows a man who pretends to hold auditions for young women who want to become actors. He asks them to react to a fake attack as if he is running toward them with a knife. One girl after another tries to impress him, and he keeps insisting that their fear does not look real enough. The trailer reveals that many of these girls begin to disappear, making the situation feel more disturbing. The tone is tense, and it leaves viewers unsure about who Stephen really is.
This idea reminds us of Sector 36, the Hindi thriller that Netflix released last year. That film was loosely inspired by real crimes and featured a chilling performance by Vikrant Massey. It showed how a character could appear normal yet hide something terrifying. Stephen seems to explore a similar space, but through a more psychological approach. Instead of focusing on the police or the investigation, it places us directly inside the mind of a manipulative man. The fear does not come from blood or violence. It comes from how calmly Stephen convinces the girls that they should trust him and act better.
Since the director is making his debut, Stephen will need strong writing and performances to make the story believable. If it manages that, it could become one of the most unsettling thrillers on Netflix India when it releases at the end of 2025.
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