If there’s one genre I have conflicted feelings about it is the ‘serial killer movies’ genre. On the one hand, witnessing a journey into the unknown is thrilling and exciting. But on the other side are gruesome, scary murders and psychotic serial killers that scare the hell out of me. Nonetheless, serial killer movies is a category loved by all. And I took the liberty to list down some of the serial killer movies from India which I have watched over the years. Let me remind you, these movies have scared me, thrilled me, and left me spellbound with their mystery. So, scroll along to learn about these movies.

1. Anjaam Pathiraa (2020, Malayalam)

Anjaam Pathiraa was the last film I watched in the theatre before the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I still vividly remember the chills and the thrills that this movie offered. The narrative centers around Anwar Hussain, portrayed by Kunchacko Boban, a criminologist tasked with unraveling the mystery behind a series of grisly murders.

Director Midhun Manuel Thomas demonstrates a keen eye for detail, seamlessly blending suspense and drama to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. With sharp music by Sushin Shyam and a very intriguing and twisted storyline, Anjaam Pathiraa kept me on the edge of my seat.

2. Ratsasan (2018, Tamil)

Ratsasan is a gripping Tamil-language thriller that follows the story of Arun, a young aspiring filmmaker who becomes entangled in a series of gruesome murders. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers chilling connections that lead him to suspect a deranged serial killer at large. With its intense plot twists and suspenseful atmosphere, Ratsasan keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Featuring standout performances and masterful direction, Ratsasan delivers a pulse-pounding experience that will leave you breathless.

3. Memories (2013, Malayalam)

An emotionally wrecked police inspector dealing with a personal tragedy and an intriguing case is thrown to him to solve – With these two foundation elements to its plot, Memories brings the right emotional temperament and thrilling moments for the audience to savor.

Prithviraj plays Sam Alex, who is dealing with the loss of his wife and daughter. Given his brilliant track record, he is given a case to solve which will hopefully help me take his mind off of his tragedy as well. The case is about a bunch of men being killed identically, with a certain inscribing on their chest. Sam begins his journey to find the killer, offering us a thrilling and suspenseful ride.

Also Read: 10 Prithviraj Sukumaran Movies That Define His Legacy

4. Ek Villain (2014, Hindi)

While Ek Villain may not fit the traditional mold of a serial killer movie, it offers a unique take on the genre within the context of Indian commercial cinema. The film intertwines elements of romance, revenge, and redemption as it follows the journey of a hardened criminal with a certain inner turmoil. The movie is not a suspense thriller, as we are made aware of the killer right from the beginning. What makes Ek Villain compelling is its exploration of the gray areas of morality and the complexities of human nature.

Ritesh Deshmukh takes a deviation from his usual onscreen persona to play a dark and haunting character in Ek Villain. With its emotional depth and dynamic performances, the film captivates audiences and leaves them pondering the nature of good and evil.

5. Chup (2022, Hindi)

Chup has to be the quirkiest serial killer movie in Indian cinema. The victims here are a set of reputed movie critics and the killer, a deranged movie enthusiast. I know right!

The consecutive gruesome murders of movie critics create tension for the police force as it gets very difficult for them to make sense of the killer’s motifs. As they dig in, what unravels is a disturbing tale of despair and helplessness that pushes the killer to the brink of insanity.

The movie stars Dulquer, Sunny Deol, Pooja Bhat and Shreya Dhandekar.

Chup is one of a kind of serial killer movie that is about reaffirming our love and passion for cinema. It reminded me why I started this platform, The FourthWall, to begin with – to share my love for cinema.