Baby Girl Movie Review: A Promising Premise That Loses Its Edge
Arun Varma's Malayalam thriller Baby Girl, released on January 23, 2026, presents audiences with a compelling premise that initially hooks viewers but ultimately struggles to maintain its momentum. With a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes, this drama-thriller hybrid has received mixed responses, earning a 3.0 critic's rating and 3.0 users' rating.
A Simple Storyline With Semi-Gripping Execution
The film follows Sanal, portrayed by Nivin Pauly, who works as an attender at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The narrative kicks into gear when Sanal arrives late to work one day, coinciding with the abduction of a child from the maternity ward. What follows is an intense goose chase that forms the core of the film's plot.
Working alongside writers Bobby and Sanjay, director Arun Varma takes this basic storyline and transforms it into a semi-gripping thriller that manages to engage viewers for significant portions. The decision to unfold events over a 24-hour period creates inherent urgency, though this tension doesn't always translate effectively to the screen.
Character Development: The Film's Saving Grace
Where Baby Girl truly shines is in its character development. Rishi, played by Sangeeth Prathap, and Ritu, portrayed by Lijomol Jose, receive substantial backstories that make them feel genuinely human and relatable. By grounding the narrative in these well-developed characters, the creative team successfully sustains audience engagement throughout the film.
The strategic use of flashbacks to reveal developments from the current timeline proves particularly effective, preventing the film from descending into absolute cliché territory. This narrative technique adds layers to the storytelling and provides necessary context for character motivations.
Predictability and Pacing Issues
Despite its strengths, Baby Girl suffers from significant predictability, particularly in its climax. The film drags noticeably toward the end, with several unnecessary scenes sprinkled throughout that disrupt the pacing. While the turmoil and conflict presented feel human and plausible, with motivations that remain understandable to an extent, the overall trajectory becomes increasingly transparent as the story progresses.
The film opts for a more optimistic approach to its climax rather than taking a practical route, which ultimately serves to uplift the emotional track but may leave some viewers wanting more narrative complexity.
Performance Highlights and Technical Aspects
Nivin Pauly blends seamlessly into his common man persona, though his role doesn't offer much beyond this established character type. Sangeeth Prathap delivers a fantastic performance in this rare serious role, convincingly portraying the impulsive younger brother with nuance and authenticity.
Lijomol Jose serves as a grounding presence throughout the film, while Abhimanyu Thilakan also plays a significant supporting role. The technical team, including cinematographer Faiz Siddik and editor Shyjith Kumaran, contributes to the film's visual storytelling, though their work is sometimes undermined by the script's structural issues.
Final Verdict
Baby Girl represents a mixed bag of cinematic elements—a gripping setup supported by strong character development but let down by predictability and pacing problems. While the film manages to keep viewers invested through its human conflicts and plausible motivations, it ultimately falls short of delivering a completely satisfying thriller experience. For audiences seeking character-driven narratives with moments of tension, Baby Girl offers enough to warrant a viewing, but those expecting groundbreaking twists may find themselves disappointed by its conventional trajectory.
