SCHOOL – (ஸ்கூல்) Movie Review: A Film That Redefines Success, Hauntingly

SCHOOL – (ஸ்கூல்) Movie Review: A Film That Redefines Success, Hauntingly

 

Title: School - " ஸ்கூல் "
Directed by: R. K. Vidyadharan
Written by: R. K. Vidyadharan
Produced by: R. K. Vidyadharan
Production Company: Quantum Film Factory
Release Date: 23 May 2025
Running Time: 147 minutes
Genre: Supernatural Drama / Psychological Thriller

Starring:

• Yogi Babu – Former teacher with a mysterious past
• Bhumika Chawla – Calm yet compelling presence at the heart of the haunting
• K.S. Ravikumar – The no-nonsense cop unraveling an unbelievable truth
• R.K. Vidyadharan – The spiritual guide who questions the unseen

Cinematography: Aditya Govindaraj
Edited by: Raghav
Music by: Ilaiyaraaja

 

Synopsis:

To push his school to the top spot, headmaster Bhagavathy Perumal writes Mindset of Success, a motivational book meant to inspire students. But the book triggers unintended psychological pressure, leading to caste and religious divisions and a suffocating obsession with success. When the book is mysteriously burned and both students and teachers begin to die, rumors of an invisible entity arise.

Police officer K.S. Ravikumar, skeptical of any supernatural explanation, begins an investigation, but the eerie incidents persist. Meanwhile, spiritual preacher R.K. Vidyadharan senses the presence of supernatural forces and attempts to reach out, seeking answers rather than resistance.

As chaos builds, two former teachers, Yogi Babu and Bhumika Chawla, return to the school. Their arrival brings calm to the chaos, silencing the dark forces. Their silent power raises questions.

 

 

School takes a bold narrative turn from traditional education dramas, weaving a psychological and spiritual mystery that lingers well beyond the credits. The story begins with a book meant to uplift students, but instead forces them into a rigid idea of success that costs lives and sanity. The core of the film isn’t just haunting; it’s human.

Officer K.S. Ravikumar brings sharp realism to the investigation, grounding the story in logic while battling the rising fear. Vidyadharan’s role as the spiritual guide adds philosophical weight, questioning trauma instead of merely exorcising it. But the heart of the story lies in the quiet return of Yogi Babu and Bhumika Chawla, whose presence alone brings resolution. Their performances are subtle but carry emotional depth, revealing that healing doesn't always come from confrontation, but sometimes from memory, love, or redemption.

On the technical front, Aditya Govindaraj’s cinematography delivers tension and atmosphere with haunting beauty, while Raghav’s editing keeps the narrative tight yet reflective. The score by Ilaiyaraaja is a standout, melancholic, minimal, and soul-stirring.

 

 Message

School is more than a ghost story; it’s a reminder. It reminds us that children are not machines, that success is not the only path, and that education must nurture souls, not just scores. It invites audiences to rethink what we teach and, more importantly, how we teach.