Lokah Chapter 1 Review: I’ll be straight with you—I didn’t expect to enjoy Loka Chapter One this much. It’s a Malayalam film, no Hindi dub yet, so I watched it in the original language with English subtitles. And honestly? I walked away impressed. Not flawless, but way more ambitious than I thought it would be.
My Rating: (4.0/5)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra |
| Release Date | August 28, 2025 |
| Genre | Superhero, Action, Fantasy |
| Director | Dominic Arun |
| Cast | Kalyani Priyadarshan (Chandra), Dulquer Salmaan, Tovino Thomas |
| Runtime | 2h 31m |
The Setup (No Spoilers)
The film opens with three friends sharing an apartment, living that messy, goalless kind of life you’ve either lived or seen up close. Then Sunny (Mathew Thomas) notices a girl across the balcony in the opposite flat.
From the very first glance, you know she’s not just another neighbor. There’s something off—like she’s carrying a secret. The way she avoids his gaze, the odd rhythm to her movements—it’s never spelled out, but you can feel it. And that’s where the story tightens. You start asking: who is she really, and what’s the bigger game behind her presence?
Direction, Action & Visual Style
Here’s the thing: some shots are stunning. There’s a hallway scramble where the camera squeezes past swinging doors and feels like it might trip over the actors, and that messy energy makes the fight sequence hit harder than the actual punches. That’s good filmmaking.
But not everything lands. The slow-motion action beats feel familiar, and a few one-take sequences seem more like “show-off experiments” than scenes that truly serve the story. It’s fun to watch, but not always powerful.
On the VFX side—since the concept leans heavily on it—you can tell they’ve used effects sparingly and only where essential. Smart choice. Still, when the VFX does appear, it’s not always seamless. Sometimes it’s fine, other times you notice the edges.
World-Building & Lore
This is where the movie shines. The first half toys with mystery—you sense something’s happening beneath the surface. Then, right at the midway point, they pull back the curtain. And suddenly you realize: oh, this isn’t just a film, it’s the beginning of a planned universe.
The second half doesn’t walk with the concept—it sprints. Suddenly, you’re neck-deep in lore, rules, and history, like the film couldn’t wait to tell you what it’s been hiding. It’s bold. And it works because you can feel the planning. This isn’t a case of “we’ll figure out part two if the first one works.” They clearly already know where they’re heading.
Performances & Humor
Mathew Thomas as Sunny grounds the film well—he plays that curious, slightly reckless energy perfectly. His timing with lighter moments surprised me. Even through subtitles, the jokes landed. That’s a credit not just to him, but to the ensemble’s comic timing.
The antagonist? Vinoth Kishan. If you watched Leo, you’ll remember him as the serial killer. Here, he gets an ice-cold entrance—you feel a chill whenever he appears. The problem is, the movie sidelines him for too long. By the time he’s back, the tension’s cooled a bit. I wish they had kept him simmering throughout, but maybe future chapters will.
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Music & Atmosphere
The background score by Jakes Bejoy does heavy lifting. There’s a scene before the big reveal where a low hum builds under the dialogue, and suddenly the entire room feels claustrophobic—you just know something’s about to break. That’s what a good score does.
Visually, the film looks big. The color grading leans into a polished, cinematic tone. Yes, sometimes you can tell it was shot on constructed sets, but the ambition carries it through. And thank god there are no random songs shoved in—two and a half hours, all story, no filler.
Post-Credit Scenes
Don’t move when the credits roll. Two post-credit scenes set the stage for what’s next, and they’re not just gimmicks—they matter.
The Good vs The Bad of Lokah Chapter 1
| The Good | The Bad |
|---|---|
| Big, ambitious world-building with a clear long-term plan | VFX not always convincing |
| Mystery hooks you in, and the mid-film reveal pays off | Action sequences don’t always hit |
| Mathew Thomas and ensemble nail comic timing | Vinoth Kishan’s villain deserved more |
| Score by Jakes Bejoy amplifies key scenes | A few sets feel obviously artificial |
| No songs—just pure story focus | Direction occasionally shows instead of being effective |
Final Verdict Lokah Chapter 1
Loka Chapter One isn’t safe—it swings for the fences. And I respect that. The story, the lore, the vision for a cinematic universe—it’s fresh, it’s exciting, and it’s worth your time.
If you’re into pop culture, supernatural mysteries, or just want to see a world that feels new, give it a shot. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely memorable.
FAQs About Loka Chapter 1
Q. Is Loka Chapter One available in Hindi?
No. Right now, it’s only in Malayalam with English subtitles.
Q. How long is the film?
Around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Q. Does it have songs?
No, and that’s a good thing. The film sticks to story and pacing.
Q. Are the post-credit scenes important?
Yes—both of them. They hint at the larger universe the film is building.
Q. Is it worth watching if I don’t know Malayalam?
Absolutely. Subtitles carry the humor and tension well—you won’t miss a beat.
That’s my take on Loka Chapter One. I went in curious, came out impressed, and now I’m genuinely excited to see what Chapter Two has in store.
