When Pushkar and Gayatri introduced Suzhal – The Vortex in 2022, they created a groundbreaking, long-format Tamil web series that captured the audience’s attention with its gripping storytelling. With a successful debut under their belt, the couple now returns with Season 2, continuing the narrative but with a noticeable shift in tone and depth.
The Plot
Season 2 kicks off in Kaalipattanam, where Nandini (Aishwarya Rajesh) is imprisoned for the murder of her sister’s abuser using SI Sakkarai’s (Kathir) service revolver, a plot point carried over from the first season. Lawyer Chellappa (Lal), who is like a father figure to Sakkarai, is defending Nandini, but things take a sharp turn when he is found murdered in his cottage. Muthu (Gouri Kishan), who was found at the scene with the murder weapon, is arrested. However, things become increasingly complex when seven other girls from various towns come forward, each claiming responsibility for Chellappa’s death.
As the investigation unfolds, Sakkarai, despite being a person of interest due to his revolver’s involvement, continues to lead the inquiry. The eight episodes of Season 2 follow his search for answers, as new leads arise and numerous twists complicate the mystery.
The Shift in Focus
While Season 1 excelled in immersing the viewer in the local atmosphere of Kaalipattanam and its cultural nuances, Season 2 shifts its focus more towards the police investigation, prison scenes, and other procedural elements. The depth of the religious festival and the village’s intricacies—elements that made Season 1 so compelling—are largely absent in the follow-up, making the setting feel less vibrant. Instead, the focus expands into a broader crime network, diluting the intimate, community-centered narrative that made the first season so unique.
The Verdict
Although Season 2 begins with promise, it soon loses momentum, falling into a more conventional crime thriller format. The mystery feels less intricate, and many of the character arcs, including Nandini’s, feel underdeveloped. The new addition of the eight girls introduces intrigue but also leaves too many unanswered questions and logical inconsistencies. The pacing also falters as the episodes drag on, and by the end, viewers may have figured out the mystery before the characters do.
Despite these shortcomings, Suzhal – The Vortex Season 2 remains a well-made crime series, with standout cinematography by Abraham Joseph and an atmospheric score by Sam CS that brings some life back into the narrative. However, it lacks the gripping intensity and finely crafted details that made the first season so special.
Overall, while not as compelling as its predecessor, Suzhal – The Vortex Season 2 still offers a solid crime thriller experience but falls short in comparison to the powerful storytelling of Season 1.
