The Show People and Niharika Entertainment’s Devil’s Double Next Level (dubbed from the Tamil film of the same name; UA) is the story of a sharp-witted film critic who suddenly finds himself trapped inside the kind of film he loves to ridicule. A horror-comedy, the film is set in a supernatural world which is controlled by the vengeful spirit of a failed filmmaker seeking justice. How does the film critic get out of this world? Or does he?
S. Prem Anand has written a story and screenplay, which have very limited appeal. Firstly, the world of films is niche. On top of it, the profession of film criticism is not universally understood. As a result, the drama becomes one with very limited appeal. Although there are light moments and terrifying ones too, they are few and far between and hence the drama does not consistently entertain or engage the viewers. Dialogues are average.
Santhanam is ordinary as Krishnamoorthy ‘Kissa’. Geethika Tiwary does a fair job as Aasai Harshini. Kasthuri Shankar does reasonably well in a double role as Devaki and Shilpa. K. Selvaraghavan lends average support as Hitchcock Irudhaya Raj. Gautham Vasudev Menon is alright as police inspector Raghavan. Nizhalgal Ravi (as McDonald), Yashika Anand (as Maya), Redin Kingsley, Motta Rajendran, Sethuraman, Lollu Sabha Maaran and the rest of the artistes are adequate.
S. Prem Anand’s direction is dull. OfRo’s music is so-so. Lyrics are nothing to shout about. Song picturisations are fair. Background music should’ve been more effective. Deepak Kumar Padhy’s camerawork is okay. Stunt Silva’s action and stunt scenes are quite thrilling. A.R. Mohan’s art direction is average. Bharath Vikraman’s editing is loose. Dubbing is alright.
On the whole, Devil’s Double Next Level is too dull a fare to make box-office sense.
Released on 16-5-’25 at Gossip (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Filmastra Studios. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.
