Where can I watch Shadow Kill (2002)?

In US, Shadow Kill is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.

Is Shadow Kill worth watching?

Shadow Kill holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.

Who stars in Shadow Kill?

Shadow Kill stars Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Sukumari, Narain, Murali and Nedumudi Venu.

When was Shadow Kill released?

Shadow Kill was released in 2002, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.

FeatureDrama Crime

Shadow Kill (2002): cast, story & where to watch

2002 · Film · ★ 6.2

Released in 2002, Shadow Kill is a drama and crime film directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, running about 90 minutes.

What it’s about. The title of the film Nizhalkuthu (Shadow Kill) refers to a popular play Nizhalkuthu Attakatha, adapted from the Mahabharata, about the inherent unjustness of certain punishments. In the play, the Kauravas force a witch hunter to kill the Pandavas by stabbing their shadows. However, the witch hunter's wife finds this out and is enraged. To punish her husband by making him feel what, Kunti, the mother of Pandavas must feel, she kills their child in the same way. The film reflects that death penalty is probably in the same vein. We may---like the witch hunter's wife---be handing out punishments that are equally ridiculous under the false perception that we are doing justice, if not being directly criminal like the witch hunter. Adoor's usual cinematographer Mankada Ravi Varma filmed half of the project. But he was later replaced by Sunny Joseph, since the former fell ill and was later found to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Who’s in it. Shadow Kill stars Oduvil Unnikrishnan as Kaliyappan the executioner, Sukumari as Marakatam, Narain as Muthu and Murali as Vasu, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.2/10, Shadow Kill has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Shadow Kill page.

If you liked it. Fans of Shadow Kill tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.

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Frequently asked

Where can I watch Shadow Kill (2002)?: In US, Shadow Kill is available to stream on Criterion Channel. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is Shadow Kill worth watching?: Shadow Kill holds an audience score of 6.2 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Shadow Kill?: Shadow Kill stars Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Sukumari, Narain, Murali and Nedumudi Venu.
When was Shadow Kill released?: Shadow Kill was released in 2002, with a runtime of about 90 minutes.