A Hype That Fizzled Out: Expectations vs. Reality

Jeethu Joseph, the mastermind behind edge-of-your-seat hits like Drishyam and Memories, had fans buzzing with anticipation for Mirage. Starring the ever-reliable Asif Ali and the poised Aparna Balamurali, this Malayalam thriller promised a labyrinth of suspense and mind-bending revelations. Released on September 19, 2025, it hit theaters amid whispers of Joseph's signature twists. But as the credits rolled, Twitter erupted—not with cheers, but with a collective sigh of letdown. Netizens branded it his weakest effort yet, slamming everything from contrived plot turns to lackluster visuals. In a sea of 280-character rants, the verdict was clear: Mirage miraged more than it delivered.

Unraveling the Plot: Twists That Trip Over Themselves

At its core, Mirage follows a gripping premise—a high-stakes investigation laced with personal stakes and shadowy secrets. Asif Ali's brooding lead navigates a web of deception, while Aparna Balamurali's enigmatic role adds layers of intrigue. Without spoiling the ride (or lack thereof), the film leans heavily on Joseph's go-to weapon: relentless twists. Twitter users, however, called foul on the overload. "It's like Jeethu threw every plot device into a blender and hit puree—nothing sticks," tweeted film critic Sajin Shrijith, echoing a sentiment rippling across feeds. TheNewsMinute's review captured it best: "All twists, but very few thrills," highlighting how the constant curveballs dilute the tension, leaving viewers exhausted rather than exhilarated. One user quipped, "By the third 'shocking' reveal, I was shocked I hadn't dozed off." The storytelling falters in pacing too, with dragged-out sequences that sap momentum, turning what could have been a taut 120 minutes into a meandering slog.

Production Woes: A Visual Mirage in the Making

Behind the scenes, Mirage stumbles on basics that Joseph's earlier works nailed effortlessly. Twitter dissected the subpar production values with surgical precision—grainy cinematography, uninspired editing, and a BGM that fizzles when it should flare. "Feels like a rushed TV pilot, not a big-screen thriller," lamented a fan, pointing to budget constraints that show in every dimly lit chase or half-baked set piece. India Today's Sanjay Ponnappa nailed the frustration: an "underwhelming crime thriller that barely takes off," bogged down by technical shortcuts that betray the director's pedigree. Even die-hards admitted the film's glossy trailer masked a hollow core, with one viral thread roasting the "forced aesthetics" as a smokescreen for sloppy craftsmanship.

Performances That Shine Amid the Shadows

Amid the debris, Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali emerge as silver linings. Asif's intense, layered portrayal anchors the chaos, his subtle micro-expressions hinting at depths the script doesn't explore. Aparna, too, commands scenes with quiet ferocity, her chemistry with Asif sparking fleeting sparks of authenticity. Twitter praised their efforts—"Asif ikka carries this mess on his back," read one glowing post amid the backlash—but lamented the thin material. Supporting cast gets short shrift, reduced to plot pawns in a game that feels rigged from the start. It's a testament to their talent that Mirage isn't a total washout.

Twitter's Final Verdict: A Wake-Up Call for Jeethu?

Scrolling through #MirageReview, the divide is stark: a smattering of positives hail the climax's unpredictability, but the chorus of disappointment drowns them out. The Hindu's critique sums it up—"Drowns us in the mirage of a perfect thriller"—with incoherent scripting and twist compulsion sapping impact. For a director who's redefined Malayalam suspense, this feels like a misstep, perhaps a sign to dial back the formula. Fans aren't writing him off—yet—but Mirage serves as a stark reminder: innovation trumps imitation. If you're a completionist, stream it on OTT later. Otherwise, save your ticket for Joseph's next pivot. In the end, Twitter's raw pulse reveals what polished reviews might gloss over: sometimes, the illusion shatters too soon.

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