Released directly on Prime Video in April 2021, Joji reunited the team behind Maheshinte Prathikaaram and Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum — director Dileesh Pothan, writer Syam Pushkaran and actor Fahadh Faasil. In this Joji movie review, we explore how their loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth turned a family drama on a Kerala plantation into one of the most unsettling Malayalam films of the decade.
Quick Verdict
- Rating: 4/5
- Best for: lovers of slow-burn character studies and dark family drama.
- Highlights: Fahadh Faasil, Syam Pushkaran’s restrained script, Baburaj and Unnimaya Prasad, Shyju Khalid’s visuals.
- Minor flaw: its deliberate pace and minimal plot may test casual viewers.
Table of Contents
Joji: Movie Details
| Director | Dileesh Pothan |
|---|---|
| Writer | Syam Pushkaran |
| Cast | Fahadh Faasil, Baburaj, Unnimaya Prasad, Shammi Thilakan, P.N. Sunny, Alistair Alex |
| Music | Justin Varghese |
| Cinematography | Shyju Khalid |
| Release | 7 April 2021 on Prime Video |
Story (No Spoilers)
Kuttappan (P.N. Sunny) is the domineering patriarch of a wealthy plantation family. His three sons live under his control: the eldest, Jomon (Baburaj), a divorced man with a temper; the middle son, Jaison (Joji Mundakayam), and his ambitious wife Bincy (Unnimaya Prasad); and the youngest, Joji (Fahadh Faasil), an engineering dropout who dreams of easy wealth. When Kuttappan suffers a stroke, the family’s hidden resentments surface — and Joji sees an opportunity.
Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film uses lockdown isolation to intensify the claustrophobia of the household.
Fahadh Faasil as Joji
Fahadh plays Joji as a quiet, slouching young man whom nobody takes seriously. His ambition reveals itself through tiny gestures and blank stares rather than speeches, making his transformation all the more chilling. It is one of the most subtle performances in his career — proof that menace does not have to be loud.
Baburaj, best known for villain and comic roles, is a revelation as Jomon, and Unnimaya Prasad is quietly brilliant as Bincy, the film’s equivalent of Lady Macbeth.
P.N. Sunny makes Kuttappan an imposing, physically strong old man, which makes his sudden illness and the shift in power more striking. Young Alistair Alex, as Jomon’s teenage son Popy, brings an unsettling innocence to scenes where adults are hiding things.
The year 2021 was a busy streaming year for Fahadh Faasil, who also led Irul and Malik. Of the three, this is the most controlled and the one that has aged best.
Joji Movie Review: Macbeth in Kerala
Syam Pushkaran’s script borrows the core of Macbeth — ambition, guilt and the corrosive pull of power — but replaces kings and battles with a rubber plantation, a family house and church rituals. There are no witches; instead, greed and resentment do the whispering. The adaptation is so natural that viewers unaware of Shakespeare would simply see a gripping family drama.
Dileesh Pothan’s direction is minimal and precise. Shyju Khalid’s camera captures the lush, isolated estate in a way that feels both beautiful and suffocating, and Justin Varghese’s sparse score adds unease.
A pandemic-era production
The film was made during the pandemic with a small cast and a largely single main location. Instead of hiding those limits, the team turned them into strengths. Masks, distancing and empty roads become part of the mood, and the closed-off estate feels like a kingdom cut off from the outside world.
Themes: Greed, Patriarchy and Silence
The film is as much about a father as about his son. Kuttappan’s control over money and decisions has stunted every man in the house. Each brother reacts differently — anger, obedience or quiet scheming — and the story shows how a rigid patriarchy can poison an entire family.
Greed is the obvious theme, but silence is the more interesting one. Characters rarely say what they feel. Suspicions are buried under polite conversation, church visits and family meals. The tension comes from what everyone knows and nobody admits.
There is also a sharp look at masculinity. Joji is mocked for being soft and directionless, and his crimes are partly an attempt to prove he matters. The film never excuses him, but it helps us understand the pressure that shapes him.
How It Compares With Similar Malayalam Films
| Film | Year | Common ground |
|---|---|---|
| Maheshinte Prathikaaram | 2016 | Same director and writer, gentler tone |
| Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum | 2017 | Dileesh Pothan and Fahadh Faasil, realist crime drama |
| Veeram | 2016 | Another Malayalam take on Macbeth, set in a period world |
| Kumbalangi Nights | 2019 | Syam Pushkaran script about a troubled household |
Read our Kumbalangi Nights review for the warmer side of the same creative circle.
Rating Breakdown
| Aspect | Score |
|---|---|
| Screenplay | 4.5/5 |
| Performances | 4.5/5 |
| Direction | 4/5 |
| Cinematography | 4.5/5 |
| Pacing | 3/5 |
What works and what doesn’t
- Works: the clever adaptation, subtle performances and an atmosphere of quiet dread.
- Doesn’t: its slow pace and short runtime may leave some viewers wanting more drama.
Who should watch it?
If you enjoyed Kumbalangi Nights or Maheshinte Prathikaaram, this darker sibling is essential. See our Fahadh Faasil movies guide and our list of the best Malayalam movies on Prime Video.
Viewing tips
Watch it without distractions; important details are revealed through glances and background action rather than dialogue. Good subtitles help, since conversations are quiet and colloquial. If you know Macbeth, try spotting which character maps to which role — the parallels are clever but never forced. Its runtime is under two hours, making it an easy single-evening watch.
Final Verdict
To conclude this Joji movie review: it is a quiet, intelligent and deeply unsettling film that proves Shakespeare’s themes are timeless — even on a Kerala rubber estate during a pandemic.
It is not a film for every mood, but for viewers who enjoy patient, character-driven storytelling, it rewards close attention and repeat viewing.
Cinemas Diary Rating: 4/5
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joji based on Macbeth?
Yes, it is loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Where can I watch Joji?
Joji streams on Amazon Prime Video, where it premiered in April 2021.
Who directed Joji?
Dileesh Pothan directed Joji, from a screenplay by Syam Pushkaran.
Is Joji a thriller or a drama?
It is best described as a slow-burn family drama with thriller elements. Do not expect chases or action.
Who plays Bincy in Joji?
Unnimaya Prasad plays Bincy, the sister-in-law who quietly encourages Joji.
What rating does this Joji movie review give?
We rate it 4 out of 5.
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