Dinjith Ayyathan's Eko is set up the misty hill stations of Kerala-Karnataka border -- and it looks incredible. The whole mystery revolves around Kuriachan, this dog breeder who's gone missing. Story moves between different times and people searching for him. I liked how it takes its time building things up. The dogs aren't just there for show. They actually matter to what the film's saying about control and freedom. Pretty smart use of them throughout. Biana Momin is perfect as Mlaathi. That whole lonely, trapped vibe she brings? Nailed it. Sandeep Pradeep anchors the film with restrained, raw energy. Vineeth and Narain add solid weight to their roles. I didn't like Kuriachan's casting. Saurabh Sachdeva tries his best but the lip sync is rough. He's not a Malayalam speaker(?) and it shows every scene. Takes you right out. Also that AI voice they used -- super recognizable and kinda cheap feeling for a film this well made otherwise. The real MVP is Mujeeb Majeed's music. Knows when to stay quiet and when to hit you. Makes the whole thing feel bigger. The climax hit me hard. Not a loud, explosive finish, but a quiet devastation that reframes everything you watched. I immediately wanted to rewatch it. Bahul Ramesh continues to be one of the finest writers in Malayalam cinema. So, Eko isn't for everyone. Takes patience. Doesn't explain everything. But if you liked what Dinjith Ayyathan and Bahul did before, you'll probably dig this.