DNA Movie Review: An Ambitious Investigative Thriller Weighed Down by Outdated Tropes

DNA Tamil movie review: Directed by Nelson Venkatesan and starring Atharvaa and Nimisha Sajayan, DNA is a crime thriller that mixes marital drama with a dark infant trafficking plot but stumbles under commercial clichés.

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DNA Movie Review: A Chilling Crime Drama That Loses Itself in Commercial Tropes

Director Nelson Venkatesan, known for his poignant relationship dramas (Oru Naal Koothu, Monster, Farhana), takes a daring turn into the investigative thriller genre with DNA. While the film does present a gritty narrative centered around infant trafficking, it struggles to balance emotional depth with the demands of a commercial thriller. What could have been a hard-hitting and nuanced social commentary is watered down by outdated clichés and a muddled narrative focus.

Plot Summary: A Marriage of Discomfort and Despair

The film introduces us to Anand (Atharvaa), a troubled man from an academically distinguished but regressive family, and Divya (Nimisha Sajayan), a woman living with Borderline Personality Disorder. They are brought together in an arranged marriage set-up for all the wrong reasons. What could have been a layered portrayal of mental health and companionship is instead boiled down to a simplistic “marriage cures all” trope—a regressive message Tamil cinema really needs to move beyond.

Though there are brief moments where the bond between Anand and Divya feels genuine, they are hurriedly packed into montages and songs. Soon, the film pivots sharply from domestic drama to crime investigation as the couple’s child is kidnapped, leading Anand down a disturbing rabbit hole of trafficking, exploitation, and systemic apathy.

The Thriller Angle: Dark, Twisted, and Too Convenient

Once the crime element kicks in, DNA becomes more engaging. The gritty urban underworld is depicted as a web where everyone is complicit, either knowingly or passively. Balaji Sakthivel as a near-retired cop brings some gravitas to the investigative portions, which are among the film’s strengths.

The storyline exposes a horrifying world of child trafficking, forced begging, and mutilation for profit—all operating in the open under society’s indifferent gaze. These parts are grimly effective, but they’re occasionally undercut by indulgent action scenes and an unnecessary bar song that feels tonally jarring.

Performances: Earnest but Uneven

Atharvaa delivers one of his most emotionally grounded performances yet. As Anand, a man torn between guilt, desperation, and determination, he brings authenticity to an otherwise erratic narrative. On the flip side, Nimisha Sajayan, despite her talent, is underutilized. Her character disappears for large portions of the film and only resurfaces when the plot demands an emotional push, weakening her narrative significance.

The villain, unfortunately, is cartoonishly one-dimensional. His motivations—while meant to reflect greed and a god complex—end up feeling both outdated and overly preachy.

Technical Merits: Music and Visuals Carry the Weight

The film’s background score is a standout, adding intensity and emotion to crucial scenes. However, the ticking date overlays—a tool often used to build suspense—feel unnecessary and even annoying after a while.

Weaknesses: Where DNA Fails to Mutate

• Oversimplified treatment of mental health

• Over-reliance on tropes like “marriage cures disorders”

• Sudden genre shifts with little tonal cohesion

• Underdeveloped characters (especially Divya)

• Climax that feels more melodramatic than meaningful

Strengths: What Works

• Solid performance by Atharvaa

• Compelling crime elements and social commentary

• Powerful moments exposing urban apathy and exploitation

• Atmospheric music that supports the urgency

Final Verdict:

Rating: 2.5/5

DNA is a film that starts with potential, builds into a thrilling maze of urban horrors, but ultimately caves under the pressure of trying to be both socially relevant and commercially viable. Nelson Venkatesan’s departure from his comfort zone is brave, but the film loses its emotional grounding in the process. In trying to stitch together a gritty investigative drama and a sentimental family saga, DNA doesn’t quite find the right match in its cinematic blueprint.