Narivetta is an incisive, bleak look at the violence perpetrated by states, and highlights how systems that are meant to keep people safe can end up being means of being controlled, particularly marginalized people. The story depicted in the film and its conduct on the beautiful but the strained landscape of a tribal territory in the state of Kerala brilliantly explores the morally grey existence of policemen. The life story of Varghese Peter, a reluctant constable who became a tormented rule-breaker makes you go through complex emotions of being loyal to a system that borders on moral evil, but also feel the urge to do something about it.
The use of naturalistic styling of the movie is clear in the depiction of the thick forest and the rural environment, as done by the movie camera, in a manner that creates a strong contrast between the beauty of the land and the cruelty that was perpetrated by the invaders on the natives of the soil. The crescendo of tension is supported by the cinematography, but the emotional element is supported by the minor increase of emotion by the sound design and musical accompaniment in every confrontation. Ambiguous and subtle performances take place here with morality crisis of Varghese and divided loyalty of Basheer Ahammed engulfing the story. The peaceful protests of the tribal community in the film against the emerging charisma of violence are depicted, which seems very current to the audience in sync with real-life situations and the devastating effects of state repression.
Of particular concern was the unapologetic criticism of the power structures and its disposition to transform protection into oppression offered by Narivetta. It also creates a gut feeling of unfairness and ethical outrage by making the viewers ponder how massively disadvantaged individuals are affected by violence in a disproportional manner. The tragic ending of the film carries a traumatic after-effect of the movie-an uncompromising takeaway of the price of state brutality and the significance of conscience against state failure. It is a reflective, touching movie that will stay with you over a long time after it finished.
