Scene Review Roundup: Critics Praise Suriya’s Return to Form in Jithu Madhavan’s Dark Comedy

Maitri Modi

November 8, 2026

Starring Suriya, Nazriya Nazim and Naslen, the crime comedy receives largely positive reviews for its unconventional storytelling, quirky humour and performances, although some critics find its slapstick and screenplay uneven.

Suriya’s latest release, Scene, has received a largely positive response from critics, with several reviewers appreciating the actor’s return to a more relaxed and unconventional role. Directed by Jithu Madhavan, the Tamil crime comedy brings together an eccentric police officer, a methodical serial killer and a collection of unusual characters, blending investigation, dark humour and suspense. While the film has been praised for its inventive approach and performances, some critics feel that its over-the-top comedy and crowded screenplay occasionally affect the narrative.

The film follows DSP Inbaraj (Suriya), an intelligent but eccentric police officer who is keen to retire from the force. However, a complicated murder investigation pulls him back into action just as he begins losing his vision. With Maya (Nazriya Nazim) helping him navigate the world around him, Inbaraj takes on a case involving Eswaran (Naslen), a seemingly ordinary man leading a dangerous double life as a serial killer. What follows is an unusual cat-and-mouse game that combines crime and suspense with Jithu Madhavan’s signature humour.

One of the biggest highlights across the reviews is Suriya’s performance as Inbaraj. Vishal Menon of The Hollywood Reporter India appreciates the actor’s relaxed approach, noting how the film allows him to make fun of his own superstar image rather than rely on conventional hero moments. M Suganth of The Times of India similarly describes Suriya as wonderfully relaxed, praising his charm and willingness to give the supporting cast room to shine. Yashaswini Sri of The Indian Express also feels that the film brings back a lighter side of the actor, reminiscent of his performances in Ayan and Pithamagan. Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu further appreciates how Jithu Madhavan uses Suriya’s star image to create humour, making the actor himself the subject of several jokes.

Naslen’s portrayal of Eswaran is another major talking point. Playing a serial killer who behaves like an ordinary person, the actor brings an unusual quality to the antagonist. The Indian Express praises his ability to balance the character’s disturbing nature with the film’s comedic tone, particularly in his scenes with Suriya. The Hollywood Reporter India also appreciates the writing behind Eswaran, whose casual approach to murder creates an unsettling yet darkly funny contrast. The Times of India finds Naslen casually cool, while The Hindu highlights the contrast between his calculated methods and Inbaraj’s investigative instincts.

Nazriya Nazim also receives appreciation for her portrayal of Maya, who becomes an important part of Inbaraj’s investigation. The Indian Express considers her the emotional centre of the story, while The Times of India praises the easygoing chemistry she shares with Suriya. The Hindu appreciates how Maya becomes Inbaraj’s guiding force without the film relying too heavily on sentiment. The supporting characters, including Lal, Anandraj and Gajaraj, also contribute to the film’s quirky atmosphere, with Anandraj receiving particular appreciation for his comic performance.

The film also features a surprise appearance by Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas as another serial killer. The Week deliberately avoids revealing the actor’s identity, describing the appearance as a major surprise and one of the film’s interesting additions. The cameo has also been highlighted by other reviewers, adding another unexpected element to the film’s collection of characters. Alongside this, Jithu Madhavan includes several references to Suriya’s earlier films, including Kaakha Kaakha, Singam, Ghajini and Vaaranam Aayiram. The Hollywood Reporter India and The Indian Express particularly appreciate the sequence that brings together a reference to Ghajini and Ilaiyaraaja’s song ‘Thendral Vandhu’ from Avatharam.

However, not every review is completely convinced by the film’s execution. Sajin Shrijith of The Week feels that Jithu Madhavan’s trademark humour does not always land, with several exaggerated characters and slapstick sequences becoming tiresome. The review appreciates the unusual characterisation and the idea of a visually impaired detective facing an unconventional serial killer, but feels that the film could have delivered more genuinely suspenseful moments. The Indian Express also points out that the film has more ideas than it can comfortably handle, with certain comedy sequences slowing down the investigation and the second half losing some of the momentum established earlier. The Hollywood Reporter India similarly notes that the abundance of clever ideas occasionally takes attention away from the larger narrative, making the romantic development between Inbaraj and Maya feel slightly sudden.

The technical aspects receive a more favourable response. The Indian Express praises Sushin Shyam’s background score for supporting both the comedic and suspenseful moments without overpowering them. The cinematography by Vineeth Augustian and editing by Ajmal Sabu also receive appreciation for complementing the film’s storytelling. The Times of India similarly finds the film technically polished, although it notes that the opening portions take some time to settle into their rhythm.

The ratings reflect the generally favourable response. The Times of India has given the film 4 out of 5, while The Indian Express has rated it 3.5 out of 5. The Week has awarded it 3 out of 5. Neither The Hollywood Reporter India nor The Hindu displays a numerical rating. Although the reviews differ on how consistently the humour works, they largely appreciate Suriya’s performance, Naslen’s unusual antagonist and Jithu Madhavan’s unconventional approach to the crime-comedy genre.

Overall, Scene appears to have struck a positive note with critics. Its blend of crime, comedy and unusual characters may not work equally well throughout, but the film stands out for giving Suriya room to experiment while bringing a fresh perspective to the investigative thriller.

Watch Trailer: