DD Next Level Movie Review: A Meta Horror-Comedy That Laughs at Itself

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)

Introduction: When Horror Meets Humour in the Most Unexpected Way

DD Next Level, directed by Prem Anand, is a strange but amusing concoction of horror, slapstick, and meta-comedy. If you ever wondered what would happen if movie critics got trapped inside the very films they love to mock — this is the answer. Featuring Santhanam in his classic comedic avatar, the film bravely plays with genre clichés, constantly poking fun at the overused horror tropes while refusing to take itself seriously.

And guess what? It works — most of the time.

Plot Summary: Movie Critics Trapped in a Horror Film

Santhanam plays Kissa 47, a sarcastic YouTube film critic who, along with fellow critic Veen Pechu Babu (Rajendran), gets trapped inside a horror movie called Devil’s Double Next Level. Meanwhile, Kissa’s family — including his father, mother, sister, and girlfriend — unknowingly walk into this bizarre trap and are transformed into characters of the very film they’ve entered.

Their tormentor? Hitchcock Irudhayaraj (Selvaraghavan) — the ghost of a vengeful film buff who once killed critics and now continues his obsession from beyond the grave.

What follows is a chaotic ride filled with jokes, parodies, and ridiculous set-pieces where Kissa must save his family before the film ends — or risk becoming a permanent part of this slasher flick.

Performances: When Comedy Outshines the Plot

Santhanam as Kissa 47

Santhanam delivers exactly what his fans expect — quirky dialogue delivery, exaggerated expressions, and perfectly timed punchlines. His role as the sarcastic critic is not just funny but also satisfyingly meta.

Rajendran as Veen Pechu Babu

Rajendran is a hoot. His nonsensical gibberish and slapstick humour give the film some of its loudest laughs.

Supporting Cast

Selvaraghavan’s ghostly villain is oddly amusing rather than scary. The rest — including Nizhalgal Ravi, Kasthuri Shankar, and Yashika Anand — play exaggerated versions of horror film archetypes to good effect.

What Works in DD Next Level:

✅ Self-aware writing that mocks horror and film review culture
✅ Fresh meta-concept of critics trapped in a film
✅ Witty dialogues with real-life references
✅ Entertaining slapstick sequences (especially the diary fight scene)

Where DD Next Level Falls Short:

❌ Weak emotional arcs — the film fails whenever it tries to be serious
❌ The horror elements feel underdeveloped
❌ Climax drags longer than necessary
❌ Relies heavily on inside jokes not everyone may get

Direction, Screenplay & Technical Details

• Direction: Prem Anand bravely experiments with a bold idea but struggles to balance horror and humour in some parts.

• Screenplay: Light and breezy for most of its runtime but loses steam during forced emotional moments and an overlong climax.

• Cinematography & Visuals: Typical haunted resort settings — ironically sticking to the very clichés the film mocks.

• Music & Sound: Not memorable but functional, serves the comic horror tone without standing out.

Meta Madness Done Right — Almost!

At its heart, DD Next Level is not about scaring you — it’s about laughing with (and at) horror movie clichés. Whether it’s ghosts who worry about their “review ratings” or critics who break the fourth wall to save their families, the film runs on clever self-parody.

But sometimes the film stumbles, especially when it insists on inserting seriousness into its gleeful nonsense. Still, its wit and originality mostly keep the audience entertained.

Final Verdict: A Lighthearted Horror Comedy Worth a Watch

If you love Santhanam’s brand of wacky humour, enjoy films that parody themselves, or just want something absurd and self-aware — DD Next Level will deliver laughs. Don’t expect meaningful horror or deep storytelling, but do expect giggles, clever gags, and unexpected twists.

A one-time fun watch for fans of meta-comedy.

Final Rating: 3/5 Stars