Overview
A young man’s life spirals into chaos as he fights to protect his father from a dangerous criminal.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- brooding
- intimate
- harrowing
- classic cinema night
- serious drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful and widely acclaimed character drama, especially praising its restrained performances and iconic climax.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sethu Madhavan intervenes to defend his policeman father, but the act reshapes how the community and authorities perceive him.
Achuthan Nair is a head constable whose inability to protect or control the consequences facing his son drives the emotional conflict.
Keerikadan Jose’s ruthlessness turns a local dispute into an escalating threat that overwhelms ordinary policing and family life.
Critical reception specifically highlights Mohanlal’s underplaying and the minute behavioral details through which Sethu’s evolution is conveyed.
Films like Kireedam, and why
Thevar Magan
shared family conflict, masculine honor, and emotionally devastating character drama
Visaranai
shared father son relationship, social pressure, and tragic moral escalation
Nayakan
shared working-class milieu, crime-driven tension, and intense performances
Movie Details
- Director
- Sibi Malayil
- Release Date
- 1989-07-07
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (45)
Cast
- Mohanlal
- Thilakan
- Kaviyoor Ponnamma
- Mohan Raj
- Sreenath
- Sankaradi
- Jagathy Sreekumar
- Parvathi
- Kundara Johny
- Cochin Haneefa
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Eros Now Select Apple TV channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kireedam about?
- A dutiful policeman’s son becomes trapped between defending his father and the violent identity imposed on him by a ruthless local outlaw.
- What is Kireedam like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kireedam as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Kireedam violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Kireedam as brutal.
- What did critics think of Kireedam?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a powerful and widely acclaimed character drama, especially praising its restrained performances and iconic climax.
- Which films are like Kireedam?
- Films with a similar feel include Thevar Magan, Visaranai, and Nayakan.
- How long is Kireedam?
- Kireedam runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kireedam?
- In United States, Kireedam streams on Eros Now Select Apple TV channel.
