**Reuniting Friends: A Twist of Fate in "Matinee"**
Four childhood friends – Jaydev, Nixon, Anand, and Naveena – reunite with Aruna (Sathish Ninasam), an old friend who now leads a life of luxury with his girlfriend Akshara (Rachita Ram).
**Desperate Measures:**
Aruna, grieving the loss of his mother, lives a secluded life. He's thrilled to reunite with his childhood friends, unaware they harbor a secret desire: for Aruna to sell his house so that they can get a share of the money from the sale. Desperate, they hatch a plan to scare Aruna into selling, resorting to elaborate ghost pranks. However, their scheme backfires, and they might just be the ones spooked by the end.
**Parallel Storyline:**
Simultaneously, a mother files a complaint with the cops to find her missing daughter Chitra (Aditi Prabhudeva).
**Director's Vision:**
"Matinee" is an honest attempt by debutante director Manohar. It blends horror, comedy, romance, and friendship with a touch of betrayal. The simple story entertains with twists and humorous dialogue but could benefit from stronger scares and a more impactful soundtrack. Sathish Ninasam excels, especially in emotional scenes, while Rachita Ram and Aditi Prabhudeva deliver impressive performances as well. Despite some shortcomings, "Matinee" is a decent choice for a weekend cinema trip.
6.5