Cheekatilo Review: Cheekatilo proves that intention alone is not enough to carry a thriller
Story
Cheekatilo follows sandhya (Sobhita Dhulipala), a criminology student disillusioned by her job at a crime-based television show that sensationalises violence for ratings. Encouraged by her friend bobby to quit and start a more responsible crime podcast, sandhya is also on the brink of marriage with her long-time boyfriend, Amar. Just as her podcast is about to go live, bobby is brutally murdered. What follows is Sandhya’s descent into an amateur investigation as she attempts to track down a serial killer, driven by personal trauma and a desire to expose uncomfortable truths society prefers to silence.
Performances
Sobhita dhulipala approaches the role with visible confidence and meticulous styling, but the character she plays is too thinly written to leave a lasting impression. While she carries the film almost single-handedly, sandhya lacks emotional layering, making her journey feel mechanical rather than compelling.
The supporting cast—including Vishwadev Rachakonda, chaitanya Visalakshmi, and eesha Chawla—exists largely as narrative padding, with little impact on the story’s tension. eesha Chawla’s portrayal of a police officer, in particular, undercuts the seriousness of the thriller. Veteran actors jhansi and aamani are serviceable in brief maternal roles, while srinivas Vadlamani fits naturally into his limited part.
Technicalities
On a technical level, Cheekatilo is polished and atmospheric. Composer sri charan pakala provides a background score that consistently supports the film’s sombre mood without overwhelming it. Cinematographer mallikarjun handles the sensitive subject matter with restraint, using shadows and low lighting to reflect the psychological darkness of the narrative. Production values are solid for a direct-to-digital telugu film, but technical competence alone cannot compensate for narrative shortcomings.
Analysis
Directed by sharan Koppishetty, Cheekatilo attempts to refresh the serial killer genre by shifting the focus from a cop to a socially conscious crime podcaster. The idea of a podcast going viral as a tool for investigation feels timely, but the screenplay struggles to justify this shift. The film touches upon the reluctance to report sexual crimes, the fear of social judgment, and the long-term trauma victims endure—highlighted through Sandhya’s own childhood experience and her mother’s silence.
These themes carry emotional weight, yet they are undercut by an unconvincing investigative framework. sandhya often behaves like a seasoned police officer, while the actual police are relegated to passive onlookers, creating a narrative imbalance. The serial killer remains underdeveloped, the murders lack shock or ingenuity, and the clues leading to the climax are too weakly planted to make the final twist effective. The last 30 minutes, including the false suspect arc, feel rushed and poorly structured. At nearly two hours, the film overstays its welcome, stretching a thin plot without offering fresh turns.
What Works
• A socially relevant core theme about silenced trauma and media sensationalism
• Strong atmospheric score that sustains the mood
• Stylish cinematography that visually conveys darkness
• A promising central performance despite weak writing
What Doesn’t
• Thin screenplay unable to sustain its thematic ambition
• Unconvincing investigation that sidelines the police unrealistically
• Underwritten antagonist and forgettable murders
• Predictable tropes and a recycled flashback structure
• A climax twist that fails due to poor buildup
Bottom Line
Cheekatilo wants to be a socially conscious crime thriller but settles for familiar beats and surface-level tension. Despite competent production and a committed lead performance, the film never finds the pulse or unpredictability the genre demands. Style and intent are present, but substance and thrills remain frustratingly absent.
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