India, May 19 -- If there's one thing Malayalam cinema has mastered over the years, it's the slow burn of a good investigation. Detective movies in Mollywood have a unique rhythm: they don't rely on stylised interrogations. Instead, they lure you in with layered characters and deliciously tangled plots. They also often end with the kind of revelations that make you go back and rewatch scenes just to catch the clues you missed. To that effect, here are the best Malayalam detective movies that you should watch.

And while you're at it, don't miss our curated list of top Malayalam suspense thrillers. Whether it's a low-key procedural or a full-blown crime puzzle with red herrings galore, these detective movies in Malayalam know how to build...