Malayalam film Dhoomakethu is all set to make its digital premiere on Netflix on October 23, 2026, less than a month after its theatrical debut on September 25, 2026. The time-loop sci-fi comedy-thriller, headlined by Sajin Gopu, will arrive on the streaming platform with its original Malayalam audio, giving audiences who missed it in theatres a chance to experience the film’s absurd yet entertaining premise from home. For a movie that had a modest theatrical run despite a promising start, the Netflix release represents a significant opportunity to reach a wider audience across the country and beyond.
The film’s genre blends time-loop sci-fi with comedy and thriller elements, all grounded in a middle-class village setting. The plot revolves around 35-year-old Kuttan, who, after a haunting dream of his own death and an attack by masked killers on his wedding night, wakes up to find himself trapped in a chaotic time loop. To break free, he must solve a bizarre murder mystery while his wedding day continuously repeats. It is a premise that demands a strong central performance to keep the repetition engaging, and according to critics, Sajin Gopu delivers exactly that.
Sajin Gopu, as Kuttan, earned widespread praise for a restrained yet highly energetic comedic performance. Reviewers noted that he brilliantly anchors the absurd premise through his character’s frustrated reactions, carrying the film’s situational humour with ease. Nikhila Vimal gives a solid performance as the bride Sharmila, though critics pointed out that her character writing was somewhat underdeveloped. The supporting cast includes Ganapathi S. Poduval, Shine Tom Chacko, Sidharth Bharathan, and Manju Pillai, with Ganapathi in particular highlighted for delivering several standout laugh-out-loud comic moments.
Upon its theatrical release, Dhoomakethu received mixed to positive reviews. The first half was heavily praised on platforms like BookMyShow and in YouTube reviews for its laugh-out-loud, rooted social satire and clever situational humour. Reviewers commended director Sudhi Maddison for making a complex sci-fi trope easy and fun to understand, while Vivek Harshan’s crisp editing was lauded for keeping the repetitive loops engaging. However, opinions on Reddit were mixed, with some users stating that the second half suffered from a visible dip in energy and pacing. Mainstream critics also pointed out weak background logic to the time loop and a few archaic, repetitive tropes.
Commercially, Dhoomakethu defied limited pre-release buzz by netting ₹68 lakh in Kerala on Day 1, debuting at the No. 1 spot in the state and registering the fifth biggest post-COVID opening for a Nikhila Vimal starrer. The film concluded its modest theatrical run grossing ₹4.37 crore worldwide over a 20-day period. While these numbers are far from blockbuster territory, the film’s strong opening day and positive word-of-mouth around its first half suggest there is genuine audience interest in the concept. With its Netflix premiere now confirmed for October 23, 2026, Dhoomakethu has a real chance at a second life on streaming—where time-loop stories often find fresh appreciation among viewers who can rewatch and catch the details they missed the first time around.
