Review: DD Next Level - Funny but Dull

 

 

Movie: Devil's Double Next Level
Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Santhanam, Motta Rajendran, Gautam Menon, Selva Raghavan, Geethika Tiwary, Yashika Anand, Kasturi, Nizhalgal Ravi, and others

Director: Prem Anand

Produced By: The Show People, Niharika Entertainment

Release Date: May 16, 2025

Story:

Krishna, also known as Kissa 47 (Santhanam), is a YouTube film critic who expresses his opinions through rap. He is invited to a special film screening with his family. When he arrives at the theater, he senses something is wrong and decides to leave. After leaving, he discovers that his family, including his mother, father, sister, and girlfriend, are already inside the theater. The story follows Kissa as he tries to protect himself and his family from the eerie theater.

Performances:

Santhanam tries to bring out laughs in every scene, and he is successful for more than half of his part. Also, Motta Rajendran delivers some good laughs. Gautam Menon and Selva Raghavan appear in unexpected/funny parts, and they are fine. Geethika Tiwary, Yashika Anand, Kasturi, Nizhalgal Ravi, and others are okay.

What worked for the film:

Director Prem Anand and Santhanam have selected an interesting idea for 'DD Next Level.' The film has many layers, blending horror and comedy while humorously critiquing film critics. The first half features a hilarious segment lasting about 30 minutes. Santhanam shines in this part, poking fun at film reviewers and making sharp comments about YouTubers who act as gossipers, touching on relatable media humor. One can't stop laughing when he says, 'Don't crack a male chauvinist joke.'

 

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon portrays police officer Ragavan, a character from his directorial, 'Vettaiyadu Vilayaadu,' starring Kamal Haasan, and humorously references his own works like 'Kaakha Kaakha,' providing some genuinely funny moments in 'DD Next Level.' The scenes towards the climax also work well. 

What did not work for the film:

Just when you get comfortable and expect an enjoyable experience, the movie takes a sharp turn into a dark place that leaves the audience trapped. After the interval, it becomes filled with toilet humor, making it feel repetitive/dragged and only occasionally amusing.

DD Next Level Review and Verdict:

Santhanam and Prem Anand try to give a meta touch to horror comedy with Devil's Double Next Level (DD Next Level). It self-satirizes in many scenes and critiques its own absurdity. The film features some laughs but fails to keep a steady comedic flow.