Yet another addition to the list of mystery thrillers in Malayalam original series, this one is sure to stand out with its backdrop of myth, folklore, and horror. Muthassi, directed by debutant Nandulal M. S. , is a folk horror series, one of the less-explored genres on Malayalam OTT, that deals with the life of a grandmother, the Muthassi, and the mystery surrounding her.Muthassi kickstarts with the life of Leela, played by Akhila Bhargavan, who comes to a cursed village after marrying Rajan (played by Amith Chakkalakkal). Though she is full of doubts about the haunted, scary mansion, Leela tries to build a family with Rajan. Then enters the central character, Muthassi, played by KPAC Leela, a former witch who is believed to be the curse of the village. With her frightening appearance and mysterious habits, Muthassi leaves behind many mysteries. The story takes a twist when Leela gets pregnant and Sreekuttan, whom Muthassi sees as her successor, is born. What happens in the lives of this family as they learn about the mysterious backstory of Muthassi and her potential future plans forms the crux of the story. 
KPAC Leela – Wow!Senior actress KPAC Leela, who mesmerised audiences with her performance in ‘Pookkalam’, delivers an exceptional performance as Muthassi in the series. Be it her makeover, the spookiness in her voice, or those piercing looks, she truly becomes the terrifying witch we have heard about in folklore stories.Child actor Orhan Hyder, who was previously seen in Asif Ali’s ‘Sarkeet’, has also done a remarkable job as Sreekuttan in the series. While keeping the mystery alive, he also brings an air of innocence to the character, making him the perfect choice for the role. The young actor is sure to impress with his performance throughout the series, especially in the climax sequence.Lead actors Akhila and Amith have also done justice to their characters to a great extent, and this is surely one of the best performances of their respective careers. However, as their characters become more intense as the story progresses, they seem to lack depth in both their dialogue delivery and performances.Direction, cinematography, make-up and artThough Nandulal is making his directorial debut, he had already proved his versatility with the viral short film ‘Kolam’. Undoubtedly, he has lived up to expectations with ‘Muthassi’ as well. The writer-director has handled the horror elements in the narrative exceptionally well, evoking fear through the folklore that already exists in Kerala. The pace of the storytelling is engaging enough to keep viewers hooked. However, at times, it feels as though the narrative shifts into fast-forward mode just to reach the next twist quickly, especially during the pregnancy sequence. 
The series’ cinematographer, Prakash Velayudhan, deserves applause for striking a fine balance between capturing the mystic beauty of the forest and the horror lurking inside the eerie mansion. The close-up shots of Muthassi are particularly impressive, and it is these visuals that keep the sense of dread alive throughout the story.Once again, Pattanam Rasheed has proved that he is a master of make-up. The creative mind has done a remarkable job with the make-up throughout the series, and Muttassi’s look is top-notch.The art department also deserves equal praise for making the entire house look genuinely spooky. Even the props used in the series play a significant role in sustaining the horror atmosphere throughout.The editing, colour grading, and sound design are also commendable, helping to preserve the mood of the storytelling from start to finish. However, the colour tone chosen for one of the crucial night scenes between Muthassi and Rajan is somewhat distracting and dilutes the clarity of the sequence. The series also makes effective use of AI. The AI-generated visuals depicting Muttassi’s backstory are well executed. In short, Muthassi, the six-episode series, is a compelling watch for anyone who loves to delve into the world of the mystical folklore stories we have grown up hearing. The performances of the cast, the stunning visuals, the intriguing storyline, and the ever-present fear factor are sure to keep you thoroughly engaged.
