Latest news with #Devil'sDouble:NextLevel
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Planning to watch Materialists, Subham or Devil's Double: Next Level? Read this
Why is your life a never-ending soap? Why is it not a romantic comedy but a depressing art house film? Why are you trapped in a trope — are you even real, or fiction by some bad writer scribbling with crayons and his tongue out? Celine Song's Materialists is a romantic comedy set in the reality check of your bank balance, what you can afford, and what you can deliver. Samantha Prabhu's debut production Subham is about a neighbourhood haunted by dead grannies who possess new brides to resume their soap binge, their souls still awaiting closure and an ending before they can rest in peace. And Devil's Double: Next Level, where a YouTuber finds himself trapped in a horror movie he must survive and outsmart with all the clichés he knows about the genre. What a week for meta storytelling! Love in times of uncertainty Materialists is understandably getting mixed, polarising reactions from the audience — so real and savage it slaps the romance out of our senses before offering a warm shoulder. My editor was irritated by the script, which she declared too sappy and stereotypical for this age of cynicism where bank balances trump moody romance. But, isn't the fantasy the reason we go to the movies? Yes — except this very story has been done before, and better. By a 22-year-old screenwriter named Helen Childress, whose script Reality Bites convinced her friend Winona Ryder to hire her friends — two guys named Ben Stiller and Ethan Hawke — to direct and act in the movie. Thirty years later, it still holds up — and how! As a sharper articulation of the ideas behind Materialists, with tighter writing filled with genuine ache and longing in 'the winter of our discontent', Ethan Hawke channelling Jesse even before he became the Jesse from Linklater's Before trilogy. Materialists does have its merits. The cast is easy on the eyes: Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal. Occasionally, there's a good line: 'When you are lost, just go where love is.' Cute. But try topping this one from Reality Bites: 'All I want is a couch, a couple smokes, a cup of coffee, and a little bit of conversation. You and me and five bucks.' So here's the math: Reality Bites: 100 > Materialists: 1 Ghost stories Santhanam's follow-up to DD Returns, Devil's Double: Next Level (streaming on Zee5), has such a fun premise. YouTube film critics are targeted by the ghost of a dead producer in a movie hall that traps them in a film. Though full of potential jokes, the movie settles for the bare minimum. Yet, it cracks you up every now and then, saving the punchline for the end. How do you get out of a bad franchise? Don't kill the villain. Kill the hero. Kill the star. Five stars for the messaging, three for the movie. In Subham, the laughs come from men trying to shoot an alternate version of the never-ending soap — one with an ending that can finally provide closure to the dead grannies who've possessed their brides to catch up on their favourite show. While figuring out what ending would make them happy, the men also become better humans. The film is less of a horror flick and more of a smart ode to the power of movies — like Be Kind, Rewind, where the guys running the video store shoot their own versions of their favourite films. Subham is now streaming on Disney. Getting lost in the movies could be a holiday, a getaway vacation or a nightmare. Choose wisely. From the hottest shows to hidden gems, overlooked classics to guilty pleasures, FOMO Fix is a fortnightly compass through the chaos of content. Expect timely recommendations, spoiler-free insights, and an honest heads-up on what to not miss.
Hans India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Horror and hilarity comes together with ‘Devil's Double: Next Level' premiering June 13
ZEE5 is set to deliver a spine-chilling yet hilarious treat this June with Devil's Double: Next Level (DD Next Level), the fourth installment of the popular Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. This supernatural horror comedy will premiere globally on June 13 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Directed by S. Prem Anand, the film stars Santhanam in a creatively quirky role, alongside Selvaraghavan, Gautam Vasudev Menon, and Geetika Tiwary. Jointly produced by The Show People and Niharika Entertainment, the film takes audiences on a unique cinematic journey filled with meta-humour, eerie thrills, and laugh-out-loud moments. The plot follows Kissa, a sharp-tongued film reviewer, who attends a mysterious private screening only to find himself sucked into the film's narrative. Guided by a magical diary written by an eccentric filmmaker (played by Selvaraghavan), Kissa must navigate bizarre horror tropes, decode riddles, and face ghostly challenges—all while trying to survive and escape. ZEE5's Lloyd C Xavier said, 'This film perfectly blends humor with horror, reflecting our commitment to powerful and engaging regional storytelling.' Director S. Prem Anand described the film as a 'genre-bending, fourth-wall-breaking madness' made possible by a stellar cast and production team. Santhanam called Kissa 'a creatively satisfying role,' and teased a 'wild, popcorn-worthy ride.'
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When are where to watch Santhanam and Selvaraghavan's ‘Devil's Double: Next Level'
The wait is finally over for fans of supernatural comedy! Devil's Double: Next Level, also known as DD Next Level, is all set for OTT premiere exclusively on ZEE5 on June 13. The film will be available for streaming in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, bringing its unique brand of horror-comedy to a wide South Indian audience. Directed by S. Prem Anand, the film marks the fourth instalment in the cult-favorite Dhilluku Dhuddu franchise. Known for its signature mix of horror, slapstick, and satire, the series continues to be a fan favourite, with Santhanam once again taking center stage in his iconic comedic style. He is joined by an unexpected ensemble cast that includes Selvaraghavan , Gautham Vasudev Menon , and Geethika Tiwary. The story follows Kissa (Santhanam), a caustic film reviewer who receives an exclusive invite from eccentric filmmaker Hitchcock Irudhayaraj (Selvaraghavan) for a private screening. However, the evening takes a bizarre turn when Kissa gets literally pulled into the movie, a haunted, ghost-infested cruise ship with sinister secrets. Trapped inside a cursed cinematic world, Kissa must navigate through eerie encounters, decode clues from a magical diary, and face off against spectral versions of his girlfriend and rival critics all while delivering his trademark sarcasm. The result is a madcap, meta-horror comedy that parodies everything from film criticism to genre clichés. With its clever twists, rib-tickling gags, and references for movie buffs, Devil's Double: Next Level promises a next-level ride for fans of experimental storytelling and genre mashups.
