Cast: Aari Arujunan, Deepshika, Pavithra, Subramaniya Siva, Thalaivasal Vijay
Director: L. R. Sundarapandiyan
Music: Tharankumar
Producer: A. Raja
Story
Aari Arujunan plays an IT professional who relocates from Mumbai to Chennai following a job transfer. He moves into an apartment on the deserted fourth floor of a suburban residential building. Alongside managing his new job, he begins searching for his ex-lover, who had earlier called him seeking help.
His life takes a strange turn when he finds her photograph inside the house and starts experiencing recurring supernatural dreams that feel disturbingly real. As he tries to uncover the mystery behind these visions, shocking truths begin to unfold.
What are those truths?
Is his missing ex-lover alive?
Is there a connection between her disappearance and his nightmares?
The film answers these questions through suspense-filled twists.
Performances
Aari Arujunan carries the film on his shoulders. Though he plays an IT employee, his character evolves into an investigator unraveling multiple mysteries. From heartbreak and guilt to fear and determination, Aari effectively expresses a wide range of emotions, adding strength not just to his role but also to the screenplay.
Pavithra and Deepshika perform their roles convincingly, balancing glamour and performance effectively.
Subramaniya Siva, as the antagonist, impresses with his expressions in the first half and delivers a more intense performance in the latter half. However, since the screenplay leans more toward supernatural elements, his villainy doesn’t leave a massive impact.
Thalaivasal Vijay and the child actor playing Aari’s daughter contribute meaningfully to the narrative flow.
Technical Aspects
Tharankumar’s music, with lyrics by Ku. Karthik, is pleasant but somewhat familiar in tone. The background score effectively enhances tension during thriller sequences.
Cinematographer J. Lakshman captures the apartment setting—especially the eerie fourth floor—well enough to create a sense of fear, though the visuals are otherwise functional.
Editor Ram Sudharshan keeps the screenplay engaging despite its multiple layers, blending horror, crime thriller elements, and social commentary.
Direction
Director L. R. Sundarapandiyan attempts more than just a conventional horror film. By incorporating romance, marital dynamics, child sentiment, social issues, and crime thriller elements into a layered narrative, he ensures the film remains engaging with several twists.
However, the heavy focus on the protagonist solving the mystery sidelines other characters, causing the screenplay to slow down in parts. Despite this, the suspense surrounding the missing lover and the truth about her child keeps the audience invested till the end.
Verdict
Fourth Floor is a suspense-driven horror thriller that works largely due to Aari Arujunan’s committed performance and its layered narrative. While it falters slightly in pacing and character balance, the mystery and emotional undercurrent make it a fairly engaging watch for fans of supernatural thrillers.
