I’m Game (2026): A Nearly Three keeps the film tense but uneven overall
Dulquer Salmaan’s Dan John enters a world of high-stakes crime with the swagger of a man who knows the odds are stacked against him. But at 173 minutes, Nahas Hidhayath’s sprawling action thriller asks audiences to commit far more than the narrative ever earns back.
This is a film that signals its ambitions loudly, 156 shooting days, over 100 locations across South India and beyond, yet delivers a story that struggles to justify its own bloated canvas.
Dulquer Salmaan Plays Dan John With Controlled Charisma, But Where’s the Fire?
Salmaan brings his trademark ease to Dan John, a character who moves through the criminal underworld with calculated calm. The actor’s natural screen presence carries several stretches where the writing around him falters.
Yet there’s a nagging sense that Salmaan is operating in cruise control. For a film that positions itself as a gritty action thriller, his performance rarely ventures into the unpredictable territory that made his work in films like *Kali* or even *RDX* feel electric.
Nahas Hidhayath’s Direction: Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Better
Hidhayath, who previously delivered the kinetic *RDX*, clearly knows how to stage action. The production’s scale is evident in every frame, with cinematographer Jimshi Khalid capturing the breadth of locations with genuine polish.
But the screenplay, credited to four writers including Hidhayath himself, loses focus in its middle passages. The film’s genre-blending ambitions, mixing action, crime, mystery, and even fantasy elements, create tonal whiplash that no single performance can smooth over.
What should feel like a tight, coiled thriller instead sprawls into a commercial structure that demands patience it hasn’t earned. The U/A 16+ certification hints at mature content, yet the film’s aggression feels performative rather than purposeful.
The Action Core: Ambitious Setpieces Lost in the Shuffle
Given the scale of production, the action sequences deserve scrutiny that the available discourse hasn’t yet provided. With 156 shooting days and a multinational canvas, Hidhayath clearly aimed for something larger than regional action norms.
But a thrilling setpiece needs more than geography, it needs geography, rhythm, and stakes that make every punch land. The soundtrack, featuring tracks like “High Stakes” and “Flesh & Blood, ” suggests an aggressive tonal range, yet without scene-level confirmation, the music remains a promise rather than a payoff.
The nearly three-hour runtime is the film’s most damning choice. A compact thriller would have forced the narrative to tighten; instead, we get a structure that meanders when it should sprint.
Supporting Cast: A Curious Assembly of Talent Waiting in the Wings
Mysskin’s casting as the antagonist is the film’s most intriguing move. The Tamil filmmaker-actor brings a distinct, often unsettling screen presence that could have anchored the film’s darker impulses, if the script gave him room to breathe.
Antony Varghese, fresh from his own action credentials, appears as Vicky, and his pairing with Salmaan suggests a buddy dynamic that could have injected energy into the film’s slower stretches. Kayadu Lohar and Samyuktha Viswanathan occupy the frame with limited material, while Kathir, Vinay Forrt, and Parth Tiwari round out a cast that signals serious intent.
However, casting names is not the same as writing characters. The film’s ensemble feels underutilized, a collection of capable performers waiting for a screenplay that never quite arrives for them.
For those seeking more Malayalam action reviews, the regional industry’s recent output offers plenty of alternatives worth exploring.
Audience Verdict: A 5.0 IMDb Rating That Reflects the Divide
The film’s IMDb score of 5.0 tells a story of polarized expectations. Salmaan’s fanbase will find moments to appreciate, and those who crave large-scale commercial Malayalam cinema will recognize the ambition on display.
But viewers seeking a lean, focused thriller will find the runtime punishing. The film’s identity crisis, caught between gritty crime drama and broad commercial spectacle, leaves it satisfying neither camp fully.
I found myself checking the runtime more than once, which is rarely a good sign for a film this expensive.
At nearly three hours, *I’m Game* demands a commitment that its narrative payoff doesn’t match. The regular theatrical format is the only way to experience Jimshi Khalid’s visuals, but even that can’t rescue the pacing.
Dulquer Salmaan fans will watch it for their star, but this is a 2.5 out of 5 experience, an ambitious misfire that proves scale alone cannot substitute for storytelling discipline.
For a tighter look at Salmaan’s recent choices, Soulmates Oru review explores another star-led gamble with mixed results.
Those seeking a more gripping mystery might find Unmadham verdict more satisfying.
Ankit Jaiswal is the Chief Author, covering Indian cinema and OTT releases with honest, no-filler criticism. An SEO strategist by background, he brings a research-driven approach to film writing, cutting through hype to tell you exactly what's worth your time.
