Directed by Prem Anand and starring an ensemble cast including Santhanam, Geethika Tiwary, Selvaraghavan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Kasthuri, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Yashika Anand, Maran and Motta Rajendran, ‘DD Next Level’ is a quirky genre-blending film that plays on the psyche of today’s cinema-goers.
The film follows Santhanam, who plays a sharp-tongued film reviewer known for his brutally honest takedowns of movies. Selvaraghavan, playing a filmmaker-turned-vengeful ghost, believes that critics are the reason cinema is dying. Determined to make a point, he traps Santhanam and his family inside a theater with the condition: they can leave alive only if they survive the entire screening. What follows is a wild mix of horror and comedy as Santhanam attempts to outwit the ghost and save his loved ones.
Santhanam’s performance shows a new dimension beyond his usual comic antics, though its reception might be mixed among audiences. Yashika Anand and Kasthuri raise the glam quotient, while Maran and Motta Rajendran provide ample comic relief. Redin Kingsley, as expected, continues his usual loud and blabbering presence.
Director Prem Anand seems to have adopted the concept of “spoof movies,” where popular horror films are humorously parodied. As the same, here in the movie Selvaraghavan character criticises movie reviewers with satirical sense. While the film succeeds in parts with its comedic timing, the screenplay occasionally drags due to logical inconsistencies and a lack of depth in the dialogue.
However, the film’s technical aspects, particularly its music by OfRo, Dipak Kumar Padhy’s cinematography and R.Harharan’s VFX elevate the overall viewing experience, pushing the movie into what the makers confidently call the “next level.” Editor Barath Vikraman has put his best to make the audience engaged.
In summary, Devil’s Double Next Level is a fun, chaotic ride that caters primarily to the younger generation, especially those immersed in meme culture, internet humor, and pop commentary. While it doesn’t always stick the landing, it’s a daring attempt at blending spoof, horror, and satire in Tamil cinema.
Rating: 3/5