Trance (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Trance is a 2020 drama thriller directed by Anwar Rasheed, starring Joju George as News Reader, Fahadh Faasil and Dharmajan Bolgatty. It runs 2 hours 50 minutes and earned $490,855 worldwide. Its Echo Score is 74/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 50m (170 min)
- Director
- Anwar Rasheed
- Original language
-
Malayalam
- Studio
- Anwar Rasheed Entertainments
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Trance About?
The premise of Trance without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A disheartened motivational speaker gets hired by a corporate to become a preacher until his live stint on television puts him and his service under the scanner.
Trance Cast & Characters
Joju George leads the cast as News Reader, with Fahadh Faasil as Viju Prasad / Pastor Joshua Carlton and Dharmajan Bolgatty as Soji. Directed by Anwar Rasheed; 25 actors are credited in all.
- Director Anwar Rasheed
-
Joju George as News Reader -
Fahadh Faasil as Viju Prasad / Pastor Joshua Carlton - Dharmajan Bolgatty as Soji
- Dileesh Pothan as Avarachan
Also Starring in Trance
· 21 more- Soubin Shahir Mathews Thomas
- Chemban Vinod Jose Isaac Thomas
- Gautham Vasudev Menon Solomon Davis
- Srindaa Latha
- Vinayakan Thomas
- Sreenath Bhasi Kunjan
- Arjun Ashokan Paul
- Jinu Joseph Doctor
- Nazriya Nazim Fahadh Esther Lopez
- Unnimaya Prasad Shani
- Amalda Liz Sheeba
- Sal Yusuf Foreign Pastor
- Aswathi Menon Kavitha
- Bobby George Call Center Staff 2
- Anu K Aniyan TV Show Anchor
- Arjun Ratan TV Show Editor
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Deepa Thomas
- Arushi Mudgal Sheeba
- Bony George Call Center Staff 1
- Jeevan Mammen Stephen News Reader
- Dilan Derin George
More from Anwar Rasheed
More films directed by Anwar Rasheed: Trance, Ustad Hotel, Annan Thambi and Chotta Mumbai.
Trance Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (52).
Trance Echo Score Breakdown
Trance dazzles with striking visuals and a powerful central performance, but its narrative cohesion suffers as the story progresses. Reviewers highlight Amal Neerad’s cinematography, Anwar Rasheed’s direction, and the resonant soundtrack as standout elements, while noting that the second half drifts, leaving plot threads unresolved. The film’s artistic ambition and sensory impact are evident, yet the uneven pacing and underdeveloped character arcs temper its overall appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
The film’s art and craft excel, driven by Amal Neerad’s cinematography and Anwar Rasheed’s direction. Critics and viewers repeatedly commend the "otherworldly" shots, dynamic framing, and meticulous editing that elevate the visual narrative. Even those who find the story lacking acknowledge the film’s polished production design and visual flair. Consequently, the art aspect stands out as a major strength.
- Character & Emotion 78
Character work is anchored by Fahadh Faasil’s nuanced, expressive performance, which many reviewers cite as the film’s highlight. Supporting actors such as Vinayakan and Dileesh Pothan receive praise for solid contributions, though Nazriya’s role is often described as superfluous. While the lead’s emotional depth resonates, inconsistent development of secondary characters limits the overall character impact.
- Story & Flow 52
The story’s initial premise and thematic ambition attract interest, yet the narrative loses momentum in the second half. Reviewers point to a rushed climax, fragmented pacing, and under‑resolved plot threads that hinder engagement. Although the first half offers tight storytelling, the overall coherence suffers, leading to a mixed assessment of the film’s plot and flow.
- Sensory Experience 86
Sensory elements—music, sound design, and visual style—receive strong commendation across reviews. Jackson Vijayan’s score and the film’s immersive soundscape are highlighted as enhancing the viewing experience. Combined with the vibrant color palette and striking visual motifs, the sensory dimension consistently enriches the film, marking it as a key strength.
- Rewatch Factor 64
Rewatch potential is moderate; the film’s visual spectacle and lead performance invite repeat viewings, yet narrative inconsistencies reduce lasting appeal. Some audiences express enthusiasm for multiple theater experiences, while others note that unresolved storylines diminish the desire to revisit. Overall, the film offers enough intrigue for a second look but falls short of high replay value.
Trance Plot Summary
What happens in Trance from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
News Reader Joju George is a retired police trooper in the 23rd century who is pulled back into service to track down Martin Whistler, a criminal mastermind whose psychic powers can turn ordinary people into mindless Trancers and bend them to his will. Deth can identify a trance by scanning a person with a special bracelet, a telltale sign that someone who looks human on the surface is under Whistler’s control.
Full summary
The whole story of Trance, scene by scene
Trance Box Office
Trance grossed $490,855 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$490.9K
- International
- $490.9K
How Well Do You Know Trance?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the retired police trooper recruited to hunt the criminal mastermind?
Trance Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Nilai Marandhavan” and “Nilai Maranthavan”.
- Also known as
-
- Nilai Marandhavan
- Nilai Maranthavan
- நிலை மறந்தவன்
- நிலைமறந்தவன்
- NilaiMarandhavan
- Nilaimaranthavan
- 将你催眠
Seen Trance?
Trance FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of Trance, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Trance?
Trance runs 2 hours 50 minutes (170 minutes).
When was Trance released?
Trance was released on February 20, 2020.
Who directed Trance?
Trance was directed by Anwar Rasheed.
More films by Anwar Rasheed Who is in the cast of Trance?
Trance stars Joju George as News Reader, Fahadh Faasil as Viju Prasad / Pastor Joshua Carlton and Dharmajan Bolgatty as Soji, among 25 credited actors.
How much did Trance make at the box office?
Trance grossed $490,855 worldwide.
Does Trance have a post-credit scene?
No. Trance has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Trance in?
The original language of Trance is Malayalam.
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