What’s it about?
Series of murders involving unidentified and burned bodies presents a major challenge for the police in Vizag. The case, initially handled by Ranjith (Shashank), is reassigned to Aravind (Naveen Chandra), a police officer known for solving complex cases.
With the assistance of SI Manohar (Dileepan), Aravind begins piecing together clues and soon discovers a chilling pattern. The killer is targeting twins. All signs point to someone named Benjamin, a former student of a local school.
Can Aravind uncover Benjamin’s true identity and stop him before the serial killer completes his target of eleven victims?
Analysis
For those who’ve seen Spanish thrillers like “The Body,” it doesn’t take more than 15 minutes to crack the plot of Naveen Chandra’s Eleven. Most Telugu audiences today are well-versed in OTT content that thrives on murder mysteries, investigative dramas, and serial killer narratives—so the core twist in Eleven hardly comes as a surprise. It’s fairly easy to figure out who the killer is and to spot the red herrings.
That’s the film’s main issue: the so-called surprises don’t feel surprising, and the narrative feels more like it’s guiding you toward a predetermined end rather than unfolding organically like a true investigative thriller.
The first half struggles to hold ground, but it gains some footing once the flashback and the killer’s motive are revealed post-interval. While the motive is understandable, the killer’s methods often stretch logic.
What works in the film’s favor is the director’s ability to sustain interest in parts—especially through mood-building sequences and tying Shashank’s accident back to the main climax.
Naveen Chandra does his best as the lead cop and carries the role well. Shashank fits his part and adds some value. Dileepan and Abhirami are well-cast too. However, the romantic subplot adds nothing to the narrative—and the actress involved, who apparently also co-produced the film, delivers a performance that’s completely devoid of acting skill or screen presence.
Bottom line: Overall, “Eleven” is a thriller that throws in a couple of twists but ultimately feels more like a setup than a story unfolding with organic flow.
Rating: 2.25/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Movie: Eleven
Rating:
Banner: AR Entertainment
Cast: Naveen Chandra, Reyaa Hari, Shashank, Abirami, Dileepan, Riythvika, Aadukalam Naren, Ravi Varma, Arjai, Kireeti Damaraju and others
Writer: Vasudeva Murthy
Music: D Imman
DOP: Karthik Ashokan
Editor: N. B. Srikanth
Art director: P.L. Subenthar
Producers: Ajmal Khan and Reyaa Hari
Written and Directed by: Lokkesh Ajls
Release Date: May 15, 2025
