Trending

At 147 minutes, Trending is ironically too long for a film about social media, failing to capture the concise, engaging style that the medium demands. The first half successfully sets up the twisted and dangerous nature of the game, but the story soon becomes bogged down in repetitive sequences and increasingly nonsensical choices, sapping the tension and urgency from the narrative. The thriller elements take a backseat to prolonged drama that drags, culminating in a dull and uninspired ending that awkwardly teases a sequel. Kalaiyarasan and Priyalaya deliver competent performances, but the thin script leaves their characters underdeveloped and emotionally shallow. Trending ultimately wastes a relevant and intriguing concept, delivering a sluggish, forgettable thriller that fails to keep pace in the fast-moving digital world it tries to portray.

Trending Movie Review: When a film is titled Trending and its protagonists are influencers, it has two clear routes to take. One, it walks the didactic path, delivering a cautionary tale about the perils of social media. Or two, it turns into a thriller, throwing its leads into dangerous territory and pulling us to the edge of our seats. Trending, starring Kalaiyarasan and Priyalaya, attempts to strike a balance between both these worlds. Unfortunately, it fails to engage, thanks to a complete lack of logic and an overstretched runtime.