L2: Empuraan – A Globetrotting Political Thriller That Misses Lucifer’s Fire
Rating: ★★★½ (3.5/5)
L2: Empuraan ambitiously expands the Lucifer universe with a sprawling, politically charged narrative that spans continents — from Iran to Africa to Kerala. Director Prithviraj and writer Murali Gopi deliver an engaging first half packed with bold themes, a villain origin story for Zayed (Prithviraj), and a high-octane return for Mohanlal’s Khureshi Ab’raam. However, the second half doesn’t quite sustain the momentum, with Kerala’s political twists lacking bite and the anticipated emotional payoffs falling short. While Deepak Dev’s rousing score and Sujith Vasudev’s striking visuals elevate the cinematic experience, the restrained performances and lack of punchy, mass-friendly dialogues dampen the thrills. Despite its flaws, Empuraan remains a solid, globe-spanning Malayalam action-political drama that sets the stage for more, even if it can’t fully match Lucifer’s cult magic.