Pendulum

Pendulum

Year: 2023

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Rejin S Babu

ThrillerFantasy

Driven by an inexplicable event, Dr. Mahesh investigates and believes that lucid dreaming could be the key to unlocking his memories. As he delves deeper into his past, he hopes to understand the incident and potentially correct past mistakes, but risks facing unforeseen consequences as he confronts his buried secrets.

Pendulum (2023) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Pendulum (2023) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the mist‑cloaked hills of Kerala, Dr. Mahesh Narayan arrives with his wife Shwetha and young daughter Thanmayi, drawn by a quiet longing to reconnect with a place that feels both foreign and familiar. Their move from the bustling streets of Melbourne sets a tone of subtle displacement, where everyday moments—tea stalls, winding roads, and the lingering scent of rain—hint at deeper currents beneath the surface. An enigmatic elderly visitor at the local hospital introduces a thread of mystery, sparking Mahesh’s curiosity about missing relatives and the echo of forgotten lives.

The film’s atmosphere drifts between the tangible world of the Kerala countryside and the fragile realm of dreams, where the boundaries of reality blur. In a recurring night‑time vision, two children—Amir and Angel—appear, speaking in a language that feels both intimate and cryptic. Their presence nudges Mahesh toward the concept of lucid dreaming, a practice that promises a doorway into hidden memories. Guided by the enigmatic mentor John Master, who speaks of shared dream spaces, Mahesh begins to sense that his own subconscious may hold the key to understanding an inexplicable event that has haunted him.

As Mahesh delves deeper, a network of quiet characters emerges: the stoic warehouse overseer Alex Ichayan, the reluctant helper Antony, and the insightful teacher Kochu Thressia. Their lives intersect with Mahesh’s quest, each offering a piece of a larger, elusive puzzle. The tone remains measured and contemplative, allowing tension to simmer beneath calm exteriors, while the film’s visual language—soft lighting, reflective water, and lingering close‑ups—reinforces the sense of being caught between waking and dreaming.

At its core, the story is a meditation on memory, guilt, and the fragile permeability between the conscious and the subconscious. It invites the audience to wonder how far one will go to retrieve buried truths, and whether the act of remembering can reshape both past and present without ever offering a tidy resolution.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 16:50

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Movies about memory and guilt like Pendulum

Characters unraveling painful pasts to confront buried secrets and responsibility.If you liked Pendulum's exploration of memory and guilt, you'll find similar themes in these psychological thrillers and dramas. This list features movies where characters investigate their pasts, confront buried secrets, and grapple with the emotional weight of their actions, often with melancholic or tragic resolutions.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on a protagonist driven by an inexplicable event or feeling to investigate their own past. The story unfolds through a non-linear structure, blending present-day inquiry with flashbacks or dream sequences, culminating in a revelation that recontextualizes everything and forces a confrontation with personal responsibility.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a deep focus on the psychological consequences of unresolved trauma, a methodical and reflective investigative pace, and a consistently heavy, melancholic atmosphere. They prioritize emotional depth and character-driven mystery over action or plot twists.

Slow burn psychological thrillers with an unsettling vibe like Pendulum

Stories where a dreamlike atmosphere builds sustained tension and deep unease.For viewers who appreciated the slow-burning, tense, and dreamlike atmosphere of Pendulum, this list features similar psychological thrillers. These movies prioritize mood over pace, using a slow build to create a deeply unsettling and anxious viewing experience that gets under your skin.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread unfold gradually, allowing atmosphere and mood to take precedence. The plot often involves a central mystery or psychological disintegration that is explored methodically. The slow pacing is intentional, used to immerse the viewer in the protagonist's increasingly unstable perspective and build to a powerful, often sobering, climax.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their shared commitment to a specific vibe: a slow-burning, tense, and unsettling mood. They feature similar pacing, a focus on psychological depth over action, and a tone that is consistently anxious and melancholic, resulting in a cohesive and immersive viewing experience.

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Pendulum Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pendulum

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Pendulum

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