Director: Mahesh Narayanan
Cast: Mammootty, Mohanlal, Kunchako Boban, Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, Revathi, Darshana Rajendran
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Rating: 7.5/10
Patriot was one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The prospect of Mollywood’s two towering icons – Mammootty and Mohanlal – sharing screen space was a dream come true for Malayali film fans. Add to that a powerhouse supporting cast and a director with an unbroken streak of hits, and expectations were inevitably sky-high.
What Patriot delivers, however, is not quite the film audiences were expecting – and that is both its strength and its weakness.
Patriot is an excellent spy thriller that takes a hard look at what happens when a government starts spying on its own citizens.
Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the movie conveys its message with flawless ease. Anchored by a show-stealing performance by Mammootty, the tightly-written script keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Despite being promoted as a joint Mammootty–Mohanlal venture, the latter’s role is far more limited than expected. Nevertheless, he is effective, as one would expect, despite limited screen presence.
Ironically, Patriot’s biggest challenge is one of its own making. The hype surrounding the pairing of Mammootty and Mohanlal may well work against the film. Audiences, myself included, were expecting a larger-than-life, crowd-pleasing mass entertainer. Patriot is nothing of the sort. Instead, it is a low-key, intelligent film that asks its audience to reflect on contemporary societal issues.
That does not diminish its strengths. The cinematography is excellent, the action scenes are exhilarating, and the plot really does make you think about what you are putting out into the world.
Spy movies have enjoyed a resurgence in India over the past decade, but the genre has largely followed one of two paths: the YRF Spy Universe approach, marked by over-the-top plots and larger-than-life heroes, or the more grounded Dhurandhar franchise, which focuses on gritty, on-the-ground espionage.
Patriot comfortably charts its own course. It is technological, without being unbelievable. The heroes are not larger-than-life figures, but just smart and capable people.
The cast is another highlight of the film. Mammootty and Mohanlal, as expected, bring their best to the screen, while the supporting cast does an amazing job in thrusting the film forward to being a genuinely edge-of-the-seat thriller.
All in all, Patriot is a compelling spy thriller that deserves to be experienced on the big screen – just be sure to temper your expectations before you step into the theatre.
Verdict: A must-see for movie fans, even if it’s just to watch Mammootty and Mohanlal on the big screen together once again.
Rating: 7.5/10
– Deviprasad Nair
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