Churuli

Spiral) is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language science fiction horror thriller film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by S. Hareesh.

It stars Vinay Forrt, Chemban Vinod Jose, Joju George, Soubin Shahir and Jaffar Idukki.

[5] In the film, two undercover police officers who sets on a search for a wanted criminal known as Mayiladumparambil Joy.

The duo boards a jeep heading to Churuli under the pretext of working for a man named Thankan.

After this, the passengers and the driver abruptly change their pleasant demeanor and start being crass towards the duo, which shocks them.

In Churuli, the duo stay and work in a tavern owned by a man named Philip and wait for Thankan's return.

Anthony quickly adapts to Churuli's unusual environment and people, spending most of the day drinking alcohol and eating game meat.

At night, the duo discuss the current situation and comes to the conclusion that most of the inhabitants of the village are criminals with multiple aliases.

After an unspecified amount of time, a Kodagu man in the village begins to find the duo suspicious.

During the game, Shajivan is trashed and humiliated by the Kodagu man, whose every slap causes him to experience strange visions.

The woman performs a healing ritual and Anthony begins to have hallucinations of spirals and the people of Churuli.

Anthony settles the issue by giving her money, fearing legal repercussions, while Shajivan denies the whole affair.

Shajivan declines their request for mercy, but the tone quickly shifts where Thankan and the villagers start taunting the policemen.

Joy explains everything that has happened to the duo since they arrived in Churuli through the story and reveals that this process is cyclical.

[9] (Silver Peacock) Churuli was also screened at Gala Section in 34th Tokyo International Film Festival.

[14] Anna Mathews of The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Churuli is so bound by this idiosyncrasy of the filmmaker, that the story – slight as it is – seems to have been sacrificed for the sake of creating an ambiance.

"[15] Cris of The News Minute gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "This Lijo Jose movie is mysterious, funny but loses focus at times.

Beautiful performances by Chemban Vinod and Vinay Forrt, humour, fantasy, and mystery make ‘Churuli’ a charming film and it is a worth to watch movie.

Walk into Lijo's Churuli baring your values, and if that's a problem, then at least be ready to embrace the darkness that resides in the centre of your light for two hours".