I'm Game review: Dulquer Salmaan's supernatural thriller loses its edge

Nahas Hidhayath's I'm Game, starring Dulquer Salmaan, opens with a premise that promises to grab the audience's attention. The film introduces Dan John, the spoilt heir to a business empire, who runs the company his father built but whose true passion is gambling. His habit has left him drowning in debt, setting the stage for a bizarre twist of fate that alters his life and those around him.

For Salmaan, returning to Malayalam cinema after a gap, the role offers ample room for both humour and action. The initial portions of the film do deliver on this front, showcasing the character's potential. However, the narrative soon loses its grip on the intriguing central idea.

The film's most significant stumble is an extended flashback sequence revolving around betting in a major cricket league. What could have been a concise setup becomes a full-blown, melodramatic subplot. This detour sidelines the core supernatural story and keeps Salmaan off-screen for a considerable stretch, causing the film to lose momentum.

Hidayath, who previously directed RDX, struggles here to maintain emotional engagement. Despite multiple story threads, the events unfold at a distance, leaving the audience disconnected from the characters' fates. Even the slickly edited action sequences begin to feel overlong as the story progresses.

The writing team of Sajeer Baba, Ismail Aboobacker, and Bilal Moidu introduces themes of human greed and the corrupting influence of money on sports, but these are only briefly touched upon. After the flashback concludes, the film pivots into a run-of-the-mill revenge narrative, abandoning the more creative supernatural concept that had initially set it apart.

Ultimately, I'm Game is a case of a promising idea being overwhelmed by generic elements. The film is currently running in cinemas.