Devil's Double Next Level (2025) English Subtitle - A Haunted Ride Through Tamil Cinema

Devil's Double Next Level (2025) English Subtitle - A Haunted Ride Through Tamil Cinema

Devil's Double Next Level (2025) English Subtitle - A Tamil Horror-Comedy with a Meta Twist

Devil’s Double Next Level, the fourth installment in the Dhilluku Dhuddu series, delivers a chaotic blend of horror, comedy, and self-aware satire. Written and directed by S. Prem Anand, the film attempts to break the fourth wall by casting Santhanam as Krishnamoorthy "Kissa", a popular YouTube film critic who is trapped inside a haunted movie—a bold meta twist that toys with Tamil cinema clichés and criticism itself.

The story begins with Kissa attending a mysterious screening by failed filmmaker Hitchcock Iruthyaraj (played chillingly by Selvaraghavan). But what starts as a mere screening quickly turns into a survival horror ride as Kissa, along with his family and two rival critics, finds himself stuck inside a cursed film, set aboard a ghost-infested cruise ship.

Santhanam shines in his signature comic timing but brings more depth as the film explores his character’s internal conflict—does harsh criticism kill a creator's dream? The haunted elements are exaggerated and laugh-out-loud in some places, while others border on absurd, thanks to the wild mix of ghosts, vengeful spirits, and horror tropes.

Gautham Vasudev Menon and Geethika Tiwary offer solid support, especially the latter in a dual role that swings between sweet and scary. The technical aspects are serviceable: OfRo's soundtrack stands out, especially the catchy “Kissa 47” and the quirky “Cinemakaran.” The visuals by Deepak Kumar Padhy support the eerie setting well, though not groundbreaking.

However, the film falters with inconsistent tone shifts and overindulgent humor. At 133 minutes, it overstays its welcome in parts, dragging the momentum. Its meta-commentary, while clever, may not land with all audiences, especially those expecting a straightforward horror comedy.

Released on 16 May 2025, Devil’s Double Next Level opened to mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office. Still, it deserves some credit for attempting something different. It pokes fun at the film industry while paying tribute to it—a love-hate letter to Tamil cinema, critics, and fandom culture.

This film may not be a hit in numbers, but it could become a cult favorite for fans of experimental horror comedies. Worth a watch if you enjoy genre-bending fun, haunted theaters, and Santhanam’s comic style with a twist.

-- Devils Double Next Level (2025) English Subtitle --