Titans (2026), the Malayalam fantasy comedy thriller directed by Prince Joy and produced by Midhun Manuel Thomas, hit theatres on October 22, 2026, and has since received a highly polarized response from critics and audiences alike. Starring Jayasurya and Vinayakan in the lead roles, the film has earned praise for its ambitious genre mashup and technical experimentation, even as its uneven execution has drawn significant criticism. The result is a cinematic experiment that sparks passionate debate rather than unanimous acclaim.
The story follows Antony Yakuza (Jayasurya), an aging, past-his-prime local mobster in Fort Kochi who is constantly ridiculed by his young boss, Peter (played by rapper Baby Jean). Desperate to regain his lost glory, Antony and his tech-savvy roommate Anwar (Nihal Nizam) plan a massive final heist. They hire a seemingly naive getaway driver named Rejimon (Vinayakan). However, the plot takes a sharp turn into the supernatural when they discover Rejimon is actually a literal angel (malak) caught in a larger battle between good and evil, featuring Indrans as the boss of angels and Sunny Wayne as Lucifer. The script was penned by James Sebastian, with an experimental fantasy music score by Dawn Vincent.
The primary saving grace of the film has been its heavy-hitting cast, who managed to keep the eccentric narrative afloat. Vinayakan, as Rejimon, was universally named by reviewers as the true anchor of the film—playing a mysterious driver with hidden motives and supernatural depth, he completely carries the movie through its action-heavy third act. Jayasurya’s performance as a lovable loser thug drew favorable comparisons to his iconic Shaji Pappan character from the Aadu franchise, and he was highly praised for his comedic timing, managing to make even the flimsiest punchlines somewhat funny. Nihal Nizam, playing the tech-savvy fraudster who specializes in digital operations, emerged as a surprise standout, successfully drawing the biggest laugh-out-loud moments from the audience with sharp, organic one-liners.
The overall response to Titans has been heavily polarized, functioning as a mix of high praise for the idea and disappointment over the execution. Initial audience reception celebrated the highly unique, dark comedy-fantasy premise, with the first half flowing well and keeping the crowd engaged with lighthearted dialogue and situational setups. However, major media outlets including The Hindu and The Indian Express pointed out that the screenplay loses its grip post-intermission. Critics felt that the clash between the angels, led by Indrans, and the devils, led by Sunny Wayne, leaned too much into high school play aesthetics rather than fully exploiting the potent CGI fantasy lore at its disposal.
While Titans is considered an exciting theatrical experiment that provides a few good laughs, the general consensus is that the uneven writing stops it from soaring into a seamless blockbuster. The film’s willingness to blend a Fort Kochi underworld heist with an apocalyptic angel-versus-demon battle is genuinely refreshing for Malayalam cinema, and its cast—particularly Vinayakan and Jayasurya—ensures there is plenty to enjoy along the way. But the sharp drop in quality after intermission leaves audiences wondering what could have been. For viewers who appreciate bold swings and are willing to overlook inconsistent execution, Titans offers a unique and occasionally hilarious ride. For others, it remains a fascinating misfire—an ambitious concept that never quite reaches the heavens it was aiming for.
