The Pet Detective Malayalam Movie Review: ONE WORD: Leave Logic at the Door- A Watchable Ride Where Comedy Meets Complete Chaos.
A Review by Arunjyothi R
LANGUAGE: Malayalam
DURATION: 01 Hour 58 Minutes
DIRECTOR: Praneesh Vijayan
GENRE: Comedy Thriller
•POSITIVES:
1: Direction
2: Performance of actors
3: Comedies
4: Cinematography
5: Background Score
6: Colour grading
7: Editing
•NEGATIVES:
1: Predictable Storyline
2: Average Screenplay
3: Leave the logic behind
STORY:
Jose Alula (Renji Panicker), a once-celebrated private detective, returns to his hometown in Kerala after a dangerous encounter with underworld don Peter Sambay in Mexico. Hoping for a quieter life, he focuses on writing a crime novel based on his past adventures, while his detective agency falls into the hands of his son Tony (Sharafudheen). But Tony’s clumsy attempts at investigation leave everyone — including his girlfriend Kaikeyi (Anupama Parameswaran) — doubting his abilities.
Everything changes when Tony stumbles upon a missing girl case that leads to the smuggling of Platinum Arowana, a rare fish worth ₹30 crore. Joined by his witty assistant Sanoop (Joemon Jyothir), Tony dives headfirst into a whirlpool of crime and confusion, unaware that his rival, police officer Rajat Menon (Vinay Forrt), is chasing the same trail. What follows is a chaotic mix of greed, gangsters, and gags — where every clue adds to the madness and every chase leads to a bigger mess.
REVIEW & ANALYSIS OF THE FILM:
The Pet Detective doesn’t really aim for one big twist — instead, it slowly builds toward a loud and messy finale. The film tries to mix several storylines, quirky characters, and funny situations to create a chaotic comedy, but the result often feels uneven. At times, it feels like too many things are happening at once, and not all of them connect well. You can sense that the makers wanted a fast, energetic comedy, but what we get instead is a series of funny ideas that don’t always land the way they should. The eccentric tone works in a few places, but in others, it feels a bit overdone, as if the film is trying too hard to be clever and chaotic.
That said, The Pet Detective does find its rhythm here and there. When the humour flows naturally, the film becomes genuinely entertaining. But the overuse of convenient twists and neatly tied-up moments takes away some of that fun. It’s a movie that mistakes confusion for excitement — busy, loud, and not always sharp. Still, Sharaf U Dheen keeps the show alive with his easy charm and comic timing, making even the dull stretches watchable. In the end, the film is not a disaster, but it’s far from polished — a mildly fun, sometimes funny, but often clumsy ride that works best when it doesn’t try too hard.
Sharaf U Dheen carries The Pet Detective with an infectious sense of confidence and comic precision. He slips into Tony’s chaotic world with a mix of goofiness and charm, striking a fine balance between overconfidence and vulnerability. There’s a rhythm to his performance — every line, expression, and reaction feels timed to perfection, giving the film a pulse even when the writing wobbles. What’s refreshing is how he handles the bursts of action as naturally as the humour, never letting the physicality overpower the comedy. His on-screen chemistry with Joemon Jyothir is another major highlight — their banter crackles with spontaneity, as if the two are constantly one-upping each other in real time. Together, they turn even throwaway scenes into comic gold. Meanwhile, Anupama Parameswaran’s Kaikeyi isn’t just a decorative presence; she brings warmth and quiet sharpness to the film. Her character gets moments to shine, adding a human touch amidst all the absurdity. These performances, individually and collectively, elevate The Pet Detective from a simple screwball caper to an engaging, character-driven comedy that thrives on the spark of its actors.
The Pet Detective doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel — instead, it builds its charm around multiple parallel tracks that gradually intertwine. The film juggles quirky characters, subplots, and tonal shifts, eventually bringing them all to a common point of chaos and resolution. This multi-threaded approach keeps the narrative busy, though not always sharp. In the early stretches, the film takes its time setting up the world — sometimes a bit too leisurely. Scenes linger on small moments and side jokes that test your patience before the central mystery fully takes shape. Yet, beneath that slow build lies an intention to weave everything together — a messy but deliberate attempt to show how every odd piece fits into Tony’s unpredictable world of crime and comedy.
The Pet Detective takes its time finding its rhythm, meandering through setups and side plots before truly hitting its comic stride. But once it does, the humour begins to flow effortlessly, powered by sharp timing and situational chaos that feels organic rather than forced. Visually, the film complements its eccentric narrative — the vibrant framing, dynamic lensing, and exaggerated compositions all heighten its quirky, over-the-top tone. At just under two hours, it aims to be a brisk, madcap entertainer, and while not every beat lands, the energy rarely dips once the story finds its groove. The final act, packed with well-staged physical comedy and spontaneous humour, delivers the film’s best moments, reminding us of what it could have been throughout. Thanks to the committed performances of Sharaf U Dheen and the supporting cast, The Pet Detective ultimately redeems its narrative looseness, leaving you with the feeling that—even with all its flaws—it’s a ride worth taking for the fun it offers.
As The Pet Detective barrels into its final act, it finally embraces the glorious chaos it had been teasing all along. What begins as a jumble of eccentric threads explodes into a deliriously funny action stretch that’s as ridiculous as it is rewarding. The film throws subtlety out the window, replacing it with breakneck pacing, slapstick precision, and visual wit that lands perfectly. The highlight is undoubtedly the climactic sequence set in a water-themed park — a sprawling, madcap showdown where cops, crooks, and clueless bystanders collide in a hilariously choreographed mess. Buckets are flying, people are slipping, and misunderstandings pile up like dominos, all captured with a rhythm that feels both spontaneous and meticulously timed.
It’s in this stretch that The Pet Detective finally finds its true voice — a playful, self-aware comedy that revels in its own absurdity. The humour here doesn’t just rely on punchlines; it thrives on timing, body language, and the film’s willingness to look silly. Even with the occasional narrative detours and convenient twists that pepper the earlier portions, the final act makes you forget those missteps. The film’s energy peaks, the performances come alive, and the direction finally feels in sync with its comic ambitions. In the end, The Pet Detective may not be a flawless investigation, but it’s certainly a fun one — a breezy, well-intentioned entertainer that leaves you laughing, wet, and weirdly satisfied.
The visual style of The Pet Detective does a lot of the heavy lifting in setting the film’s playful, chaotic tone. Cinematographer Anend C Chandran keeps the frames bright and lively, even within a palette dominated by beige, brown, and soft yellow — a subtle nod to the story’s Mexican connection — giving the film a polished, cinematic feel that benefits from being seen on a large screen. Abhinav Sunder Nayak’s editing further complements this energy, especially during action sequences, where snappy cuts and well-timed transitions enhance the comic chaos rather than overwhelm it. Meanwhile, Rajesh Murugesan’s music swings effortlessly between parody and upbeat whimsy, with occasional adrenaline-tinged bursts that amplify the tension in key sequences.
The supporting cast also adds to the film’s comic texture, though delving too deeply into their antics risks spoiling several surprises. Joemon Jyothir’s Sanoop is the perfect foil to Sharaf U Dheen’s Tony, bringing absurdity and instinctive timing to every scene they share. Even minor characters, from eccentric criminals to bumbling cops, contribute memorable comic beats that often elevate otherwise simple sequences. Their interactions pepper the film with laughter and unpredictability, reinforcing the idea that The Pet Detective thrives not just on the lead’s charisma, but on the ensemble’s willingness to embrace the film’s madcap, over-the-top world.
CONCLUSION:
Overall, The Pet Detective is a breezy, chaotic comedy that thrives on its quirky characters, energetic performances, and playful visual style. While the film struggles with uneven pacing, convenient plot twists, and occasional overstuffed subplots, it finds its stride in the final act and through the charm of its cast, particularly Sharaf U Dheen and his dynamic rapport with Joemon Jyothir. The clever editing, lively cinematography, and Rajesh Murugesan’s fun-filled score further enhance the madcap atmosphere, making the film an enjoyable, if imperfect, ride. In the end, The Pet Detective may not be a tightly woven mystery, but it delivers enough laughs, action, and comic absurdity to leave audiences entertained and smiling as the credits roll.
RATING: 3/5
A Review by Arunjyothi. R
