25 Best South Indian Suspense Thriller Movies of 2022
![25 Best South Indian Suspense Thriller Movies of 2022](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Best-South-Indian-Suspense-Thriller-Movies-of-2022.jpg)
Here is the list of 25 best South Indian (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) suspense thriller Movies of 2022 you must watch.
South Indian cinema has always been a powerhouse of talent, and in 2022, it delivered some of the most gripping and suspenseful thriller movies. These films not only kept audiences on the edge of their seats but also showcased the exceptional storytelling and filmmaking prowess of South Indian directors and actors. From edge-of-your-seat plot twists to complex characters and mind-bending narratives, these movies have set a new standard for the thriller genre in Indian cinema.
One of the most notable aspects of these films is their ability to blend traditional elements of South Indian cinema with modern storytelling techniques. They seamlessly incorporate elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological tension while maintaining the cultural authenticity and regional flavor that South Indian movies are known for. These films have not only captivated audiences within India but have also gained international recognition and acclaim, showcasing the global appeal of South Indian cinema.
1. Vikrant Rona
![Vikrant Rona Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Vikrant-Rona-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Vikrant Rona is a Kannada fantasy action thriller film written and directed by Anup Bhandari. The film stars Sudeepa in the title role with Jacqueline Fernandez, Nirup Bhandari, and Neetha Ashok.
The story revolves around Inspector Vikrant Rona, who arrives at a remote village in the middle of a tropical rainforest where he starts witnessing a series of unexplainable events which are attributed to the supernatural.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikrant Rona | 28 July 2022 | Kannada Hindi | 2h 28m | 7.1/10 | ₹100 crore | est. ₹210 crores |
2. Yashoda
![Yashoda Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Yashoda-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Yashoda is a Telugu action thriller film written and directed by Hari–Harish. It stars Samantha in the titular role alongside Unni Mukundan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Murali Sharma.
In this film, in a highly regimented facility housing surrogate mothers, a pregnant woman discovers that things are not as they seem.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yashoda | 11 November 2022 | Telugu Hindi | 2h 15m | 6.7/10 | ₹30–40 crore | est. ₹33 crores |
3. 12th Man
![12th Man Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/12th-Man-Poster.jpg)
12th Man is a Malayalam mystery thriller film directed by Jeethu Joseph, written by K. R. Krishna Kumar, and based on a story by Sunir Khetarpal. The film stars Mohanlal, with Unni Mukundan, Saiju Kurup, Anu Sithara, Anusree, Sshivada, Chandhunath, Anu Mohan, Rahul Madhav, Aditi Ravi, Priyanka Nair, and Leona Lishoy. This film is loosely based on the core idea of the 2016 Italian film Perfect Strangers.
In the film, eleven friends get together for a bachelor party, but the celebrations go awry because of a phone call and a death. A drunk cop steps into unraveling the mystery.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12th Man | 20 May 2022 | Malayalam Hindi | 2h 43m | 6.9/10 | est.₹10 crore | N/A |
4. Rorschach
![Rorschach Movie (2022) Cast & Crew, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Rorschach-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Rorschach is a Malayalam mystery psychological thriller film directed by Nissam Basheer and written by Sameer Abdul. It stars Mammootty, Sharafudheen, Jagadish, Grace Antony, Bindu Panicker, Kottayam Nazeer, Sanju Sivram, and Asif Ali. T
In the film, an NRI businessman with a mysterious past, sets on a mission to exact vengeance from someone who has destroyed him deeply.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rorschach | 7 October 2022 | Malayalam | 2h 30m | 7.1/10 | ₹20 crores | ₹40 crore |
5. Vikram
![Vikram Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Vikram-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Vikram is a Tamil crime action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, who co-wrote the script with Rathna Kumar. The film stars Kamal Haasan in the title role along with Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi with Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, and Chemban Vinod Jose in supporting roles.
In this film, a special investigator is assigned a case of serial Killings, he finds the case is not what it seems to be, and leading down this path is only going to end in a war between everyone involved.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikram | 3 June 2022 | Tamil Hindi | 2h 55m | 8.2/10 | ₹120–150 crore | est.₹417–500 crore |
6. Gargi
![Gargi Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Gargi-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Gargi is a Tamil thriller drama film directed and co-written by Gautham Ramachandran. The film stars Sai Pallavi, Kaali Venkat, R. S. Shivaji, Kavithalaya Krishnan, Saravanan, and Sudha S.
The story follows the journey of a young school teacher to prove her father’s innocence with the help of a juvenile advocate who’s never even seen the interiors of a court hall.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gargi | 15 July 2022 | Tamil Telugu Hindi | 2h 20m | 8.1/10 | est. ₹5 crore | est. ₹12 crore |
7. Kantara
![Kantara Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Kantara-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Kantara is a Kannada action thriller film written and directed by Rishab Shetty. The film stars Rishab Shetty in the lead role along with Sapthami Gowda, Kishore, Achyuth Kumar, and Pramod Shetty in supporting roles.
It involves the culture of Kambala and Bhootha Kola. A human and nature conflict where Shiva is a rebel who defends his village and nature. A death leads to war between villagers and evil forces.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kantara | 30 September 2022 | Kannada Telugu Hindi | 2h 28m | 8.4/10 | ₹16 crore | est. ₹450 crore |
8. Eesho
![Eesho Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Budget, Collection, Poster, Trailer, Review](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Eesho-Movie-Poster.jpeg)
Eesho is a Malayalam thriller film directed by Nadirshah and written by Suneesh Varanad. The film stars Jayasurya, Jaffar Idukki, Namitha Pramod, Suresh Krishna, Johny Antony, and Akshara Kishor.
In the film, while working the night at an ATM, a security guard, Ramachandran Pillai who is the prime witness in the case against a powerful industrialist, Sevichan happens across a mysterious man named Eesho. They engage in a conversation and the guard pours his heart out to the stranger before realising that Eesho may not be a friend. Who is Eesho and what does he want? Turns out Eesho is a hitman and turns for the rest of the plot.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eesho | 5 October 2022 | Malayalam Hindi | 1h 47m | 6.1/10 | est.₹10 crore | N/A |
9. HIT: The 2nd Case
![HIT: The Second Case Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Budget, Collection, Poster, Trailer, Review](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/HIT-The-Second-Case-Movie-Poster.jpg)
HIT: The Second Case is a Telugu crime thriller film written and directed by Sailesh Kolanu. It is the second installment in the HITverse, following HIT: The First Case (2020). The film stars Adivi Sesh, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Rao Ramesh.
The plot follows Krishna Dev (Sesh) solving a serial murder case in Visakhapatnam.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HIT: The Second Case | 2 December 2022 | Telugu Hindi | 2h 30m | 7.2/10 | ₹15 crores | est. ₹42.50 crores |
10. Jana Gana Mana
![Jana Gana Mana Movie (2022) Cast & Crew, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Jana-Gana-Mana-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Jana Gana Mana is a Malayalam legal thriller film directed by Dijo Jose Antony and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Pasupathi Raj, G. M. Sundar, Mamta Mohandas, Sri Divya.
As a college professor’s brutal murder sparks student unrest, a cop launches an investigation while a lawyer seeks justice in the courtroom.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jana Gana Mana | 28 April 2022 | Malayalam | 2h 42m | 8.3/10 | ₹20 crores | ₹50 crore |
11. Godse
![Godse Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Godse-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Godse is a Telugu action thriller film written and directed by Gopiganesh Pattabhi and stars Satyadev Kancharana, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, and Nagendra Babu. The film is a remake of the 2018 Korean film The Negotiation.
In this film, a reunion with friends changes the way Godse perceives the system. He begins to unravel the system’s hidden agenda that robs off the careers and lives of students. What follows is a fight between Godse and the government for justice.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Godse | 17 June 2022 | Telugu Hindi | 2h 25m | 5.7/10 | est. ₹50 crore | N/A |
12. Kaapa
![Kaapa Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kaapa-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Kaapa is a Malayalam action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by G. R. Indugopan. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role with Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Anna Ben.
The film explores the dark underbelly of Thiruvananthapuram where rival goondas clash in cold-blooded gang wars to gain dominion over the city’s suburbs and slums.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kaapa | 22 December 2022 | Malayalam | 2h 16m | 7.2/10 | est.₹15 crore | ₹17 crore |
13. Valimai
![Valimai Movie (2022) Cast & Crew, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Valimai-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Valimai is a Tamil action thriller film written and directed by H. Vinoth and stars Ajith Kumar, Karthikeya, Huma Qureshi, Gurbani Judge, and Sumithra.
It revolves around Arjun, a police officer, who is assigned to track down a group of outlaw bikers following their involvement in heinous crimes.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valimai | 24 February 2022 | Tamil Hindi | 2h 58m | 6.1/10 | ₹150 crore | est. ₹155.45–234 crore |
14 Bheeshma Parvam
![Bheeshma Parvam Movie (2022) Cast & Crew, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Bheeshma-Parvam-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Bheeshma Parvam is a Malayalam action thriller film directed and produced by Amal Neerad. The film stars Mammootty in the lead role alongside an ensemble supporting cast including Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Shine Tom Chacko, Farhaan Faasil, Nadhiya Moidu, Dileesh Pothan, Jinu Joseph, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Harish Uthaman, and Lena.
In the film, Michael helms his ancestral family in Kochi, inspiring fear and respect through his past. When a few younger members of the household find his power over their lives too aggravating, they join hands with foes to clamp down on him.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bheeshma Parvam | 3 March 2022 | Malayalam Hindi | 2h 24m | 7.7/10 | ₹18 crore | est. ₹100−115 crores |
15. Last 6 Hours
![Last 6 Hours Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Last-6-Hours-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Last 6 Hours is a Tamil thriller drama film written by Suresh Tuticorin and directed by Sunish Kumar. The film stars Bharath, Adil Ibrahim, Anu Mohan, and Viviya Santh in leading roles.
The plot follows Shaun Morris, a naval officer who joins hands with his fiancée Rachel to set up a trap to take revenge on Luke, Shameer, Jaison, and Rahul, the robbers who killed his family.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Last 6 Hours | 5 August 2022 | Tamil | 2h | 8.3/10 | est. ₹30 crores | N/A |
16. Bheemla Nayak
![Bheemla Nayak Movie (2022) Cast, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Bheemla-Nayak-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Bheemla Nayak is a Telugu action thriller film directed by Saagar K Chandra from a screenplay by Trivikram Srinivas. It is a remake of the 2020 Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum. The film stars Pawan Kalyan, Rana Daggubati, Nithya Menen and Samyuktha Menon.
In this film, things change when the egos of an upright police officer and a retired army havildar clash.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bheemla Nayak | 25 February 2022 | Telugu Hindi | 2h 10m | 6.4/10 | ₹70–75 crore | est. ₹161–193 crore |
17. Salute
![Salute Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Salute-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Salute is a Malayalam crime thriller film directed by Rosshan Andrrews and written by Bobby-Sanjay. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role along with Manoj K. Jayan, Diana Penty, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, and Saniya Iyappan in supporting roles.
The film follows S.I Aravind Karunakaran, a police officer on voluntary leave, who is haunted by an old case he investigated. How far will he go to unravel the mystery and bring the truth to light?
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salute | 17 March 2022 | Malayalam Hindi | 2h 25m | 7.0/10 | ₹50 crore | N/A |
18. Kalaga Thalaivan
![Kalaga Thalaivan Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kalaga-Thalaivan-Poster.jpg)
Kalaga Thalaivan is a Tamil action-thriller film written and directed by Magizh Thirumeni and stars Udhayanidhi Stalin, Arav, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Kalaiyarasan in lead roles.
The film follows Thiru, a financial analyst who swiftly climbs up the corporate ladder. He soon finds his world turned upside down and is set for a collision with a mysterious deadly group headed by a brutal killer.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kalaga Thalaivan | 17 March 2022 | Tamil | 2h 21m | 6.8/10 | est. ₹15 crore | est. ₹28 crore |
19. John Luther
![John Luther Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/John-Luther-Poster.jpg)
John Luther is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language thriller film directed by debutant Abhijith Joseph, starring Jayasurya in the lead role along with Elango Kumaravel, Deepak Parambol, Siddique, Athmiya Rajan, Drishya Raghunath and Sreelakshmi in supporting roles.
In the film, the missing case of a teacher named Prakashan is reported at the police station where John Luther works as a CI. As the investigation progresses, John meets with an accident in a scuffle while investigating another case.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Luther | 27 May 2022 | Malayalam | 2h 15m | 7.0/10 | est.₹7 crore | N/A |
20. Diary
![Diary](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Diary-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Diary is a Tamil supernatural mystery thriller film written and directed by Innasi Pandiyan. The film features Arulnithi, Pavithra Marimuthu, and Chaams in lead roles. It was shot extensively across Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Coonoor, Ooty, Mettupalayam and Coimbatore.
In the film, a sub-inspector trainee sets out on a journey to track an unsolved, 16-year-old case. But little does he know that fate and destiny will put him on an exhilarating ride.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Diary | 26 August 2022 | Tamil | 2h 13m | 7.3/10 | est.₹7 crore | N/A |
21. Mahaan
![Mahaan Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mahaan-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Mahaan is a Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj and stars Vikram, Simran, Dhruv Vikram, Bobby Simha, while Sananth, Vettai Muthukumar, Deepak Paramesh, and Aadukalam Naren.
The plot revolves around the journey of a commerce teacher named Gandhi Mahaan and his son Dadabhai Naoroji, as the former turns into a liquor baron and lives a life of his own after being abandoned by his family, and the latter, an extremist Gandhian wovs revenge on his father who violated Gandhian principles and abandoned his family.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mahaan | 10 February 2022 | Tamil Malayalam | 2h 43m | 7.6/10 | est.₹50 crore | N/A |
22. Laththi
![Laththi Movie (2022) Cast & Crew, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Laththi-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Laththi is a Tamil action thriller film written and directed by A. Vinoth Kumar in his directorial debut. The film stars Vishal, Sunaina, and Prabhu in the lead roles.
The film follows a police constable, who gets trapped in a building with his 10-year-old kid, and how they escape from the building surrounded by a group of the enemy.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laththi | 18 November 2022 | Tamil Hindi | 2h 23m | 7.2/10 | est. ₹25 crore | est. ₹17.57 crore |
23. Night Drive
![Night Drive Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Night-Drive-Poster.jpg)
Night Drive is a Malayalam Investigating crime thriller film directed by Vysakh and written by Abhilash Pillai. The film stars Indrajith Sukumaran, Anna Ben, Roshan Mathew, Siddique, Kalabhavan Shajon, Alexander Prasanth, and Sreevidya Mullachery.
The movie depicts the story of a young couple and how they land in trouble when they meet with an accident.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Night Drive | 11 March 2022 | Malayalam Hindi | 1h 58m | 6.7/10 | N/A | N/A |
24. Yenni Thuniga
![Yenni Thuniga Movie](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Yenni-Thuniga-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Yenni Thuniga is a Tamil action thriller film written and directed by S.K.Vettri Selvan. The film stars Jai and Athulya Ravi in the lead roles along with Anjali Nair, Vamsi Krishna, Vidya Pradeep, Marimuthu, and Sunil Reddy in supporting roles.
In the film, after a heist job by Madhan and the gang to rob precious cargo becomes a mess, he is under pressure to deliver the loot to his overlords. Things begin to get complicated when Kathir appears and finally reveals what really happened that day.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yenni Thuniga | 4 August 2022 | Tamil | 2h 24m | 6.5/10 | ₹20 crores | N/A |
25. Etharkkum Thunindhavan
![Etharkkum Thunindhavan Movie (2022) Cast & Crew, Release Date, Story, Review, Poster, Trailer, Budget, Collection](https://juksun.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Etharkkum-Thunindhavan-Movie-Poster.jpg)
Etharkkum Thunindhavan is a Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Pandiraj and stars Suriya, Priyanka Arul Mohan, Vinay Rai, Sathyaraj, Saranya Ponvannan, and Ilavarasu.
The film revolves around a lawyer who turns into an executioner against woman trafficking.
Movie Name | Release date | Language | Running time | IMDb | Budget | Box office |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Etharkkum Thunindhavan | 10 March 2022 | Tamil Telugu Hindi Malayalam Kannada | 2h 31m | 6.5/10 | ₹50 crores | est. ₹179–200 crore |