Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese, Anumol, TG Ravi, Manju Pillai, Jaffer Idukki, Sudheer Karamana, M.A. Nishad, Prasanth Alexander
Release Date
July 24, 2026
Verdict: Lurk tries to say something meaningful about human-wildlife conflict in Kerala’s forests, and many viewers connected with its sincerity. But uneven storytelling and a few forced moments keep it from fully landing.
Pros:
Relevant and timely theme of man-animal conflict
Solid supporting turns, especially from TG Ravi
Atmospheric forest visuals that feel lived-in
Cons:
Pacing drags in parts
Some characters and moments feel overdone
Lurk 2026 Overview
Detail
Information
Title
Lurk
Directed by
M.A. Nishad
Written by
M.A. Nishad, Jubin Jacob
Produced by
R. Harikumar (Kerala Talkies)
Cast
Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese, Anumol, TG Ravi, Manju Pillai, Jaffer Idukki, Sudheer Karamana, M.A. Nishad, Prasanth Alexander
Cinematography
Rajeesh Raman
Edited by
Vipin Mannur
Music by
Prakash Alex, Mineesh Thambaan
Production Companies
Kerala Talkies
Distributed by
Man Media
Release Date
24 July 2026
Running Time
2 hours 3 minutes
Country
India
Language
Malayalam
Genre
Action, Thriller
Censor Rating
UA
Lurk hit theatres on 24 July 2026 as a Malayalam survival thriller set deep in the forests of Kerala. Directed by M.A. Nishad, who also acts in a key role, the film stars Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese, Anumol and a large ensemble including TG Ravi and Manju Pillai.
It looks at the uneasy relationship between people living near the forests and the wild animals that share the same space. Early audience response has been mixed but leans positive among those who care about social issues.
BookMyShow users have given it strong scores, calling the story and performances “awesome” and “rocking.” At the same time, some viewers and online discussions point out uneven moments and a sense that the film tries a little too hard.
The story stays close to the ground. It follows the lives of people in a forest-border village who face constant threat from wild animals. A respected protector enters the picture, but nothing is as simple as it first appears.
Secrets, survival instincts, and questions about who the real danger is—animals or humans—drive the narrative. The film keeps major twists under wraps while still making the daily struggle of ordinary people feel real.
On X, Instagram and BookMyShow, many people praised the film’s attempt to talk about a problem that often makes the news in Kerala. Viewers liked how it shows the helplessness of forest-edge communities and the complicated role of the system meant to protect them.
TG Ravi’s performance has been singled out often for bringing quiet emotion and weight. The forest setting and background score also earned positive mentions for creating a tense, natural mood. Common complaints focus on pacing.
Some felt certain stretches drag, and a few said the director’s own character takes up more space than needed. A handful of reactions called parts of the storytelling outdated or overly dramatic.
Overall sentiment sits somewhere in the middle—appreciated for its heart and relevance, but not everyone found it consistently gripping.
Lurk will work best for viewers who like issue-based thrillers rather than pure action or entertainment films. If you are interested in stories about people living on the edge of nature and the systems that fail them, this one has something to offer.
The forest atmosphere and a few strong performances give it weight. For casual movie-goers looking for tight thrills or lighter fare, it may feel slow or uneven.
It is worth a theatre watch if the subject interests you, especially on a quieter weekday. Otherwise, waiting for streaming is a safe choice.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
