The psychological thriller Stephen, now streaming on Netflix, presents a chilling premise that is both gripping and, at times, frustratingly uneven. The film, written, directed, and produced by Mithun Balaji, hinges on a powerful central performance by Gomathi Shankar, who plays the eponymous character with a disturbing calmness.
A Confession That Shocks
The narrative kicks off with a jarring incident. A man named Stephen walks into a police station and calmly confesses to murdering nine women. He spares no gruesome detail, describing his methods and the locations of his crimes to the utterly bewildered officers. The film's strength lies in this initial setup and in Shankar's portrayal. He looks like an ordinary man, which makes his casual recounting of violence all the more terrifying. There's a slight, off-kilter look in his eyes that actor Gomathi Shankar masters—a subtle hint of something deeply unsettling beneath the surface.
Exploring Trauma and Its Aftermath
Stephen delves into the origins of such darkness through flashbacks to the protagonist's childhood. We witness an abusive household where violence is a norm, portrayed vividly by actors Kuberan and Vijayashree as his parents. This portion is among the film's most effective, offering a stark depiction of how trauma seeds itself and festers. The film posits that residual trauma, stored within, can erupt in unexpected and horrific ways. However, the screenplay sometimes falters by becoming predictable. The interactions between the investigating cop (Michael Thangadurai) and the psychiatrist (Smruthi Venkat) often feel repetitive, explaining elements the audience has already grasped, which adds unnecessary length to the runtime.
The Salvaging Final Act
What ultimately rescues Stephen and restores its initial sharpness is its final act. This concluding portion is smartly shot and enacted, delivering the chilling payoff that a film of this genre demands. It weaves together revelatory strands that reframe the preceding events, leaving the audience with a provocatively scary thought. The film moves beyond the simple cause-and-effect of a traumatic past and asks a more profound, unsettling question: What if a person's inherent nature is monstrous, independent of their upbringing? Stephen's haunting query, "You only know how to die, asks Stephen, do you know how to live?" lingers long after the credits roll.
In conclusion, Stephen is a film of contrasting halves. Gomathi Shankar's compelling performance and a genuinely chilling finale are its standout features. However, a sagging middle act and moments of predictability prevent it from reaching its full potential. It earns a rating of two and a half stars out of five. For viewers intrigued by psychological dramas and strong central acts, it is available for streaming on Netflix.
