Arun Kumar dreams of becoming a filmmaker, particularly focused on exploring the psychology of psychopaths. Unable to achieve his ambition, he abandons this path and joins the police force. Relocating to Madras, Arun moves in with his sister, her husband, and their daughter, Ammu. Complications arise when Ammu persuades him to impersonate her father, leading to unexpected challenges and a complex situation.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Ratsasan yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Ratsasan (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Two elderly men discover the corpse of Samyuktha, a 15-year-old schoolgirl who was brutally murdered, setting off a chilling investigation that threads through a close-knit Tamil Nadu town. Arun Kumar, Vishnu Vishal, an aspiring filmmaker with a keen interest in psychopaths, steps into the police world as a sub-inspector under heavy family pressure and with the backing of his brother-in-law, CI Doss Munishkanth. Arun moves in with his sister Kokila, Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, and their daughter Ammu Ammu Abhirami, while Doss lends his seasoned pragmatism to the case. This family tableau grounds the story in a sense of duty and vulnerability as Arun juggles duty, ambition, and the shadows of the crime.
After a troubling incident at Ammu’s school, Arun crosses paths with her teacher, Viji Amala Paul, and gradually befriends both Viji and Kayal, Kayal being Viji’s hearing and speech-impaired niece Monekha Siva. The investigation widens to a string of disappearances that begin with Amudha, a schoolgirl whose abduction bears disturbing hallmarks of Samyuktha’s murder. Arun notices a mutilated doll at Amudha’s home, a clue that draws him deeper into the pattern. His superior, ACP Lakshmi Suzane George, is skeptical of his theory, choosing instead to dismiss it as coincidence. The tension thickens when Amudha’s body is discovered, reinforcing the sense that a single perpetrator may be at work.
Soon another hearing-impaired girl, Meera, is abducted and killed, reinforcing Arun’s conviction that a single MO is governing the spree. The trail points toward Inbarajan Vinod Sagar, a teacher at Ammu’s new school who harbors dark intentions. Inbarajan—a pedophile—gets caught after a victim tips Arun off. Although he confesses to sexual abuse, he denies any involvement in the murders. During a desperate escape attempt, Inbarajan takes a policeman at gunpoint but is shot dead by Arun. On the very day of this confrontation, Ammu is abducted from her birthday party, and her mutilated body is found in a car trunk. A devastated Arun and Doss hide the truth from Kokila and return home, wrestling with the weight of what they’ve learned.
Unable to let the mystery rest, Arun continues the investigation unofficially, aided by a few trusted officers. A crucial breakthrough comes when a piano tune from Meera’s hearing aid leads him to the magician Annabella George, who had performed at all the victims’ schools Saravanan. Arun learns that Annabella George selects students during performances and later abducts and kills them. The next target becomes a girl named Sanjana. Even with surveillance in place, Sanjana is abducted, but Arun and his team manage to rescue her, though Annabella escapes.
Seeking more answers, Arun meets retired cop Rajamanickam Radha Ravi, who unveils a shocking twist: Annabella George is the front for Mary Fernandez. Mary’s son, Christopher, suffers Werner syndrome (progeria), a condition that accelerates aging and shapes his gifted talents as a magician and pianist. Christopher had been mocked at school despite befriending a girl named Sophia; after she rejected him and he faced ridicule, Mary’s fury erupts as she murders Sophia. Both Mary and Christopher were arrested, and many presumed them dead in an accident.
Rajamanickam’s suspicions grow that Mary might still be alive, and he warns Arun that the threat remains. Before he can reveal everything, Rajamanickam is killed, leaving Arun with more questions than answers. Clues suggest Christopher is alive and has been impersonating Mary, a deception that could allow him to slip through surveillance. Before Arun can alert ACP Lakshmi, Christopher strikes again, attacking Viji and abducting Kayal.
In the final, brutal stretch, Christopher kills Venkat Kaali Venkat and Dr. Nandan Nizhalgal Ravi to silence anyone who could expose him. Arun closes in on the mastermind, engaging in a violent confrontation that ends with him killing Christopher and rescuing Kayal, though he ends the battle injured. As the media heralds the end of the serial murders, Arun’s reputation as a perceptive investigator grows, and he finally earns the chance to turn his obsession into art by making a film about a psychopath.
The case leaves a wake of emotional scars and a clearer path for Arun’s future. The film closes on a note of catharsis: the pursuit of truth, the cost of obsession, and the fragile victory of a man who dares to translate darkness into story. Along the way, the story is padded with notable moments from cameos and supporting players Karunakaran and Ghibran, enriching the texture of Arun’s world and the shadowy labyrinth of the investigation.
Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:05
Don't stop at just watching — explore Ratsasan in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Ratsasan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Ratsasan with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Ratsasan. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Discover movies like Ratsasan that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Ratsasan (2018) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Ratsasan (2018) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Ratsasan (2018) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Ratsasan – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Ratter (2016) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Raja Ranguski (2018) Film Overview & Timeline
Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016) Full Movie Breakdown
Ratcatcher (2000) Detailed Story Recap
Santosh (2024) Film Overview & Timeline
Irada (2017) Complete Plot Breakdown
Memories of Murder (2005) Story Summary & Characters
Jagame Thandhiram (2021) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Rats! (2025) Full Summary & Key Details
Ivan Thanthiran (2017) Detailed Story Recap
R... Rajkumar (2013) Full Summary & Key Details
Andhadhun (2018) Story Summary & Characters
Rats (2016) Story Summary & Characters
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017) Complete Plot Breakdown
Te3n (2016) Film Overview & Timeline