Eko: The Animal Trilogy’s Final Roar

EKO - Malayalam Film

When Eko arrived in late 2025, it was more than just another Malayalam thriller - it was the closing chapter of Bahul Ramesh’s ambitious Animal Trilogy. Following Kishkindha Kaandam and Kerala Crime Files: Season 2, the film carried forward the trilogy’s signature motif: animals as metaphors for human instincts, survival, and betrayal. With Eko, the metaphor sharpened into a visceral narrative of captivity, vengeance, and liberation. 

At the heart of Eko lies Soyi, a woman whose true identity was never revealed, a victim of patriarchal imprisonment and silence. Her life, confined and erased, became a haunting symbol of countless women denied the chance to claim their own names and stories. Soyi’s existence was a cage, her spirit stifled by those who sought to control and diminish her. 
But within that cage, a fierce fire burned. Soyi’s yearning for justice and recognition transformed into a relentless quest for revenge against those who wronged her - her husband’s Kuriachan, and Mohan Pothan. Her vengeance is not personal reckoning; it is a powerful roar against the erasure and oppression she endured. 
 

Soyi’s story is the emotional core of the trilogy, embodying the primal struggle between suppression and resistance. Her fight to reclaim her identity and dignity resonates deeply, revealing the devastating cost of silencing a woman and the fierce strength that rises from that pain. 
Across the three films of Bahul Ramesh, Kishkindha Kaandam echoes the chaos of survival, drawing parallels with the monkey kingdom of the Ramayana. Kerala Crime Files: Season 2 examines predation and betrayal, likening criminals to hunters and prey. And Eko presented the caged animals breaking free, with Soyi’s arc as the trilogy’s emotional and philosophical climax. Together, these films form a layered mediation on instinct, morality, and the fragile veneer of civilization. 
 

Critics praised Eko for its bold narrative and strong performances, particularly Vineeth and Narain. While some noted the climax leaned on familiar thriller tropes, audiences embraced the film’s emotional depth and symbolic resonance. Its Netflix release amplifies its reach, sparking discussions far beyond Kerala. 
Eko marked Aaradyaa Studios’ debut production, proving that small-budget films can achieve global success. Grossing ₹50 crore against a modest ₹5 crore budget, it underscores Malayalam cinema’s growing international footprint. More importantly, it positioned regional cinema as a space for philosophical storytelling, where thrillers are not only about suspense but about society’s deepest conflicts. 
 

With Eko, Bahul Ramesh’s Animal Trilogy closes on a note of defiance and reflection. Soyi’s journey from captivity to vengeance for both a personal liberation and symbolic roar against oppression. In her story, the trilogy finds its ultimate statement: that structure of society, human beings remain tethered to primal instincts, forever negotiating between survival, morality and freedom. 
Soyi’s life, marked by the cruel denial of her true name and identity, becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her revenge is not just against individuals but against a system that sought to erase her. Through her, Eko delivers a powerful emotional impact - a reminder that the fight to recognition and justice is as fierce as any battle for survival.