Here’s a detailed review and retrospective of the best Malayalam movies of 2017—a landmark year often hailed as the beginning of the "new wave" or the Malayalam cinema renaissance.
(Ram’s Play)
A masterclass in minimalist storytelling. The film has no songs, no fight scenes, and no villain in the traditional sense—yet it’s gripping. Fahadh Faasil as the stoic, unpredictable thief Prasad is a revelation, but Suraj Venjaramoodu (as the sub-inspector) delivers a career-best performance, oscillating between comic exasperation and quiet authority. The script by Sajeev Pazhoor is razor-sharp, using a single incident to critique the absurdities of the legal system and human ego. Verdict: A near-perfect satire-drama. Essential viewing. 2017 best malayalam movies