Bloody Mary” (2022) is a gripping Telugu-language crime thriller featuring Nivetha Pethuraj as a fierce protagonist entangled in murder, mystery, and manipulation. Read the full spoiler-free review.
Bloody Mary (2022) – Movie Review 🩸🔥 | Telugu Crime Thriller Unleashed
🎬 Directed by: Chandoo Mondeti
✍️ Written by: Prashanth Kumar Dimmala
🎵 Music by: Kaala Bhairava
📽️ Cinematography: Karthik Gattamneni
🧑🤝🧑 Starring: Nivetha Pethuraj, Brahmaji, Ajay, Kireeti Damaraju
📅 Release Date: 14 April 2022
⏱️ Runtime: 91 minutes
📍Language: Telugu
📺 Streaming on: Aha
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Plot Overview
Set in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, Bloody Mary revolves around three childhood friends—Mary (Nivetha Pethuraj), Raju (Rajkumar Kasireddy), and Basha (Kireeti Damaraju)—all orphans who have grown up supporting one another. Mary is a speech-impaired woman who works as a nurse, Raju is a photographer with dreams of making it big, and Basha is an aspiring actor. Their simple lives take a dark turn when they inadvertently get involved in a murder case.
As events spiral out of control, Mary takes charge and uses her resourcefulness and intelligence to protect her friends and manipulate the situation in their favor. The film slowly reveals Mary’s hidden layers and a past full of trauma and secrets. Her transformation from a quiet survivor to a deadly mastermind forms the backbone of this gripping drama.
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Performances
🧕 Nivetha Pethuraj as Mary
In a career-defining role, Nivetha Pethuraj delivers a powerful performance as Mary. Her portrayal of a mute woman who is far more capable and ruthless than anyone suspects is impressive. She brings both vulnerability and steel to the role, making her character unpredictable and compelling.
🎭 Kireeti Damaraju as Basha
Kireeti brings the right balance of innocence and comic timing. His character adds lighter moments to an otherwise tense narrative. His portrayal of a struggling actor with big dreams is both relatable and heartwarming.
📸 Rajkumar Kasireddy as Raju
Raju’s character provides the emotional anchor to the group. Though not as dominant as Mary in terms of plot, his arc adds depth and helps ground the narrative.
👮 Ajay and Brahmaji
Ajay plays a corrupt cop with his trademark intensity, while Brahmaji, as a shady doctor, adds gravitas and danger to the narrative. Both play essential roles in escalating the stakes of the story.
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Technical Aspects
🎬 Direction – Chandoo Mondeti
Known for his work in thrillers (Karthikeya, Premam remake), Chandoo Mondeti handles the tension and pacing well. He keeps the narrative tight and focused, never letting the 91-minute runtime drag.
🎞️ Cinematography – Karthik Gattamneni
The visuals are slick, shadowy, and add to the gritty atmosphere of the film. The urban backdrop of Vizag is used effectively, enhancing the dark undertone of the story.
✂️ Editing – Viplav Nyshadam
The film is tightly edited, keeping the pace brisk. Flashbacks and present events are intercut seamlessly, building tension and revealing character motivations at just the right moments.
🎶 Music – Kaala Bhairava
Kaala Bhairava’s background score plays a crucial role in heightening the suspense and drama. The score complements Mary’s psychological journey and adds to the thrill element.
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Themes & Analysis
🌪️ Woman Empowerment with a Twist:
Bloody Mary subverts the usual portrayal of a female victim. Mary is not someone who merely survives; she dominates. Her disability becomes her weapon. The film turns a mute woman into a master strategist, exploring how trauma can shape resilience—and vengeance.
🎭 Duality of Identity:
Each of the three friends hides a different persona beneath their facade. Mary’s transformation in particular explores moral ambiguity, where survival instincts blend with calculated aggression.
🧩 Crime and Consequence:
The film also subtly critiques corrupt systems—be it the law enforcement, healthcare, or media industries. No one is entirely innocent, and the movie thrives in these gray zones.
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What Works
✅ Strong female lead with a layered character arc
✅ Crisp runtime with taut storytelling
✅ Solid performances across the board
✅ Stylish visuals and gripping BGM
✅ Unexpected twists and psychological depth
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What Doesn’t Work
❌ Some characters (especially Raju and Basha) could have had deeper arcs
❌ A few predictable moments in the second half
❌ The climax, though satisfying, could have been more hard-hitting
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Final Verdict
Bloody Mary is a compact, well-executed thriller that rests on the shoulders of a powerful female protagonist. With a fast-paced narrative, stylish visuals, and a story that challenges traditional gender roles in Telugu cinema, the film makes for a refreshing watch. It doesn’t rely on over-the-top action or melodrama but instead uses psychological tension and character-driven storytelling to deliver its punch.
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BMR (Best Movie Review) Rating: 7.5/10
A smart, gritty, and refreshing Telugu thriller led by a career-best performance from Nivetha Pethuraj.