Maranamass

Storyline

Maranamass centers on a bizarre serial killer known as the “Banana Killer,” who murders corrupt older men and leaves a banana in their mouths as a grim signature. Luke P.P., a cheeky troublemaker with a rough past, becomes the main suspect when the killer’s body is mysteriously found aboard a night bus carrying a strange mix of passengers. Trapped in the enclosed, claustrophobic space of the bus, Luke and the other passengers are forced to confront suspicions, secrets, and the truth behind the murders. The film blends suspense with sharp social satire, highlighting themes of greed, justice, hypocrisy, and human nature—all while maintaining a quirky, darkly comedic tone.

Tags

Tagline

“Death isn’t the end... it’s just the beginning.”

Motion Picture Rating (MPA)

A

Trivia

• The film’s signature “banana in the mouth” was inspired by a real-life quirky crime detail the writers read about, adapted into dark comedy.
• Basil Joseph, primarily known for comedy, took this as his first serious-leaning thriller role, which surprised many fans.
• The night bus setting was a homage to classic Malayalam thrillers like Neram and Traffic that use confined spaces effectively.
• Producer Tovino Thomas decided to back the film because of its unique script and offbeat humor, which stood out from typical thrillers.
• The film was shot over 45 days, mainly in Kerala, with tight schedules to maintain the night sequences.

Goofs

• In some bus scenes, passengers’ clothing changes subtly between cuts, indicating minor continuity errors.
• A phone shown in one scene displays a different time than the overall timeline of the bus journey.
• One character’s wristwatch briefly appears on both the left and right wrists in two consecutive scenes.
• Background vehicles visible through the bus windows sometimes shift positions between cuts, breaking spatial continuity.

Quotes

• Luke P.P.: “Greed is like a banana—soft outside, but it can slip and ruin everything inside.”
• Police Officer: “Justice isn’t about who shouts loudest. It’s about who speaks the truth.”
• Onlookers discussing the killer: “A killer with a fruit? That’s either crazy or genius.”
• Luke P.P. (sarcastic): “If everyone’s guilty, then no one’s innocent.”

Crazy_credits

• The end credits feature a quirky animated sequence where bananas appear in various comedic scenarios, tying back to the killer’s signature.
• Some credits play with satire, listing roles like “Official Banana Supplier” and “Chief Mischief Maker,” adding to the film’s playful tone.
• The credits also include bloopers from the bus scenes, showing actors breaking character and laughing during tense moments.

Connections

• The film references classic Malayalam thriller tropes, updating them with dark humor and modern social critique.
• The “night bus” concept connects loosely to films like Neram (2013) and Traffic (2011), which use confined spaces for tension and ensemble storytelling.
• Basil Joseph’s role connects to his previous comedic roles, but here it is inverted into a more layered character.
• The film’s social satire has thematic similarities to movies like Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 and Joji.

Soundtracks

• Music by Govind Vasantha features a blend of eerie and quirky tunes to match the dark comedic thriller vibe.
• The soundtrack includes a signature theme for the Banana Killer, mixing playful xylophone notes with suspenseful undertones.
• Songs range from mood-setting background scores to a catchy, satirical folk tune that plays during the bus ride.
• Notable track: “Peel of Justice” — a haunting instrumental motif that recurs at crime scenes and tense moments.