Lucifer Review: A Stylish Political Power Play Anchored by Mohanlal’s Dominant Presence

Language: Malayalam (Dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi)

Genre: Political Thriller, Action, Drama

Release Date: March 28, 2019

Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran

Cast: Mohanlal, Vivek Oberoi, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Saiju Kurup, Bobby Simha

Runtime: 2 hours 55 minutes

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

Overview

Lucifer stands among the biggest political-action spectacles in Malayalam cinema. Marking Prithviraj Sukumaran’s directorial debut, the film delivers a grand visual experience infused with stylized action, political intrigue, and Mohanlal’s unparalleled screen dominance.

Released in multiple languages, Lucifer quickly amassed a massive fan following and went on to achieve cult status, redefining the scale and presentation of political thrillers in South Indian cinema.

Story

Following the sudden death of a powerful political leader, chaos erupts within the ruling party. Internal power struggles intensify as corrupt politicians, criminal networks, and opportunistic players fight for control.

Amid this turmoil emerges a mysterious figure—Stephen Nedumpally.

Who is he?

Why has he returned now?

And why does his presence inspire fear and respect in equal measure?

The film carefully blends political conspiracies, betrayal, power dynamics, and mass moments, unfolding its narrative layer by layer without revealing major plot twists.

Performances

Mohanlal (Stephen Nedumpally)

A towering, magnetic performance. Calm, controlled, and intensely charismatic, Mohanlal dominates the screen even with minimal dialogue. His presence alone drives the film’s impact.

Vivek Oberoi (Antagonist)

Cold, stylish, and ruthless. This stands among his strongest performances in South Indian cinema, lending real menace to the conflict.

Manju Warrier

Emotionally powerful and dignified, she portrays a woman navigating political chaos with strength and vulnerability.

Supporting Cast

Tovino Thomas, Saiju Kurup, Bobby Simha, and others deliver solid performances, adding texture to the political landscape.

Direction & Screenplay

Prithviraj Sukumaran makes an assured and confident debut behind the camera.

Direction: Grand, stylized, and cinematic, with effective slow-motion elevation shots

Screenplay (Murali Gopy): Smartly written, weaving politics and power struggles with clarity

Pacing: The first half focuses on political build-up, while the second half escalates into action and emotional intensity

The director’s vision is clear—deliver a mass-oriented political thriller without compromising narrative depth.

Technical Aspects

Cinematography (Sujith Vaassudev): Stunning visuals featuring grand frames, dramatic lighting, and powerful angles

Music & Background Score (Deepak Dev): Electrifying and impactful, especially during Mohanlal’s elevation scenes

Editing: Smooth overall, though the lengthy runtime is felt in parts

Action Sequences: Stylish, large-scale, and heavily stylized with slow-motion flourishes

Highlights

Mohanlal’s commanding screen presence

Prithviraj’s confident and stylish directorial debut

Powerful and memorable background score

Intense climax and reveal

A well-balanced blend of political drama and mass elevation

Drawbacks

The long runtime can feel heavy at times

Certain supporting characters lack deeper development

Political build-up may feel slow for viewers seeking nonstop action

Final Verdict

Lucifer is more than a political thriller—it is a visual celebration of Mohanlal’s mass persona. With stylish direction, a strong screenplay, and commanding performances, the film delivers a satisfying theatrical experience that resonates well beyond its runtime.

> A stylish political thriller powered by Mohanlal’s unmatched screen presence.

Rating & Recommendation

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

Recommended For:

Mass-movie enthusiasts

Fans of political thrillers

Admirers of Mohanlal’s larger-than-life performances

Highly rewatchable, even on OTT.

Quick Info

Production House: Aashirvad Cinemas

OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Box Office: Crossed ₹200+ crore worldwide, among the highest-grossing Malayalam films

A landmark political-action film that expanded Malayalam cinema’s pan-Indian appeal.