However, the film quickly transitions into a darker and more unsettling atmosphere. By the end, it becomes difficult to recognize
Ronth
as the relaxed, slightly off-putting experience we began with.

The weary Yohannan (Dileesh Pothan) and his novice partner Dinanath (Roshan Mathew) are far from the dynamic duo of Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy from
48 Hrs.
Both men carry dark, unresolved personal histories tied to suicides within their families, instilling a greater fear of themselves than of any external threats.
As a writer, Shahi Kabir excels in allowing the two characters to develop their bond authentically, primarily through unspoken connection rather than external forces.
Of the pair, Yohannan is undeniably the more complex character. Before revealing his darker side, he encounters the skepticism of colleagues, who joke behind his back. By the end of the night, many unexpected facets of Yohannan’s personality will emerge.
At the film’s outset, we see him cooking fish curry for his sensitive wife Saloni (brilliantly portrayed by Laxmi Menon), even pretending to his colleagues on the phone that she is the one cooking.
It’s clear that Yohannan is a caring husband, a point that feels overly emphasized at times. More crucially, he harbors a strong aversion to child abuse. While this is a sentiment we all share, this cop is depicted rescuing and comforting at least three distressed children throughout the night.
In one intense moment, he confronts an abusive husband-father, repeatedly shouting, “Don’t touch the child.” The abused wife appears to matter less to Yohannan, highlighting his moral complexities. Dileesh Pothan captures all of Yohannan’s contradictions effortlessly, creating not just a performance but a character that evolves before us.
Joining Dileesh is Roshan Mathew, a rising star from Kerala. Fresh from breaking ground in the series
Kankhajura
, he offers a profound glimpse into a troubled mind navigating a maze of professional and personal challenges.
Shahi Kabir subjects the two cop leads to various night patrol scenarios. While each moment may not hold significant weight on its own, together they create an urgency that makes the audience feel more engaged and alert.
Ronth
doesn’t allow us to disconnect. It reminds us that cinema transcends mere entertainment. The unresolved dilemmas faced by the characters linger beyond the theater’s shadows, echoing the idea that unresolved trauma can affect us in unforeseen ways.