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Pebbles (2021): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Pebbles (2021) movie poster

Pebbles is a 2021 drama directed by P. S. Vinothraj, starring Karuththadaiyaan as Father and Chella Pandi. It runs 1 hour 14 minutes. Its Echo Score is 83/100.

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Pebbles (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 14m (74 min)
Director
P. S. Vinothraj
Genre
Drama
Original language
Tamil
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pebbles About?

The premise of Pebbles without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A young boy follows his violent and alcoholic father on a quest to find his mother, who has run away from his abuse.

Pebbles Themes & Keywords

· 20 tags
  • long take
  • road movie
  • india
  • tamil nadu
  • plain
  • father son relationship
  • shouting
  • fight
  • village
  • countryside
  • rat
  • preparing food
+8 more
  • water
  • pebble
  • bus
  • bus ride
  • two on a motor scooter
  • three on a motor scooter
  • no music during end credits
  • written by director
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Cast & crew

Pebbles Cast & Characters

Karuththadaiyaan leads the cast as Father, with Chella Pandi as Son. Directed by P. S. Vinothraj.

From the director

More from P. S. Vinothraj

One more film directed by P. S. Vinothraj: The Adamant Girl.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pebbles Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

83 /100

Pebbles Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Pebbles delivers a compelling portrait of rural hardship through disciplined visual storytelling. Critics and viewers alike commend its meticulous framing, evocative soundscape, and stark performances, which together create an immersive experience. While the deliberate pacing and extended travel sequences divide opinion, the film’s artistic ambition and resonance with audiences who appreciate contemplative cinema remain evident. Consequently, the work stands as a noteworthy, if challenging, addition to contemporary world cinema.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    Art & Craft exhibits a high level of technical proficiency throughout Pebbles. Critics highlight the film’s masterful framing, precise composition, and the editor’s rhythmic pacing that mirrors the characters’ journey. Viewers note the striking cinematography that captures the arid landscape with an understated palette, reinforcing the narrative’s stark realism. This cohesive visual approach elevates the film’s aesthetic credibility.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Character & Emotion benefits from nuanced performances that anchor the film’s bleak setting. Both critics and audiences praise Karuththadaiyan’s portrayal of the volatile father and the child’s expressive silence, which convey complex inner lives without dialogue. Supporting actors contribute subtly, reinforcing the familial tension. The emotional weight stems primarily from this restrained yet powerful acting ensemble.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Story & Flow presents a minimalist narrative that follows a father‑son trek across a desolate terrain. Critics commend its episodic structure and the authenticity of everyday moments, while some viewers find the extended walking sequences overly protracted, affecting overall momentum. Nonetheless, the film’s unembellished plot underscores its thematic focus on survival and familial duty.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    Sensory Experience is shaped by an immersive soundscape and disciplined visual language. Reviewers highlight the ambient desert noises, the subtle use of Yuvan Shankar Raja’s minimalistic score, and the crisp, unhurried camera work that foregrounds texture. These elements coalesce to reinforce the film’s stark realism, making the environment itself a resonant character.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch Factor hinges on the film’s contemplative pacing and visual richness, appealing mainly to audiences attuned to slow‑burn cinema. While its stark realism and layered sound design reward repeated viewings, the prolonged journey segments may deter viewers seeking conventional entertainment. Consequently, repeat appreciation is likely limited to dedicated cinephiles.

Plot

Pebbles Plot Summary

What happens in Pebbles from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

An angry Father barges into a school to retrieve his Son, and the confrontation triggers a tense escape. They snatch the boy and board a bus to a neighboring village, driven by the knowledge that the mother had left them and returned to her mother’s house. Upon reaching the village, they learn she had already gone to her husband’s house that morning, and a new conflict unfolds as the husband fights with the wife’s family, threatening to kill her when he returns home. In a desperate moment, the [Son] tears up the paper money they carry to prevent his [Father] from taking the bus back, and the pair decide to walk the long distance back toward their own village under the scorching heat of the afternoon.

Full summary

The whole story of Pebbles, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Pebbles Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Pebbles.

Pebbles – trailer | IFFR 2021
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pebbles?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who does the angry father travel to retrieve from the school?

Details

Pebbles Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “Koozhangal” and “페블스”.

Also known as
  • Koozhangal
  • 페블스
  • Камешки
  • 鹅卵石

Seen Pebbles?

FAQ

Pebbles FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Pebbles, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pebbles?

Pebbles runs 1 hour 14 minutes (74 minutes).

When was Pebbles released?

Pebbles was released on February 4, 2021.

Who directed Pebbles?

Pebbles was directed by P. S. Vinothraj.

More films by P. S. Vinothraj

Who is in the cast of Pebbles?

Pebbles stars Karuththadaiyaan as Father and Chella Pandi as Son.

Does Pebbles have a post-credit scene?

No. Pebbles has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Pebbles in?

The original language of Pebbles is Tamil.

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