Rahul Sadasivan's Bramayugam (2024) is a landmark in this trend. A black-and-white folk horror film starring Mammootty, it dismantles the romanticized image of the mana (the traditional Brahmin mansion). By casting a folkloric deity, Chathan, and two subaltern characters as leads, the film undoes the "authentic" image of Kerala associated with upper-caste households, instead presenting the mana as a space of uncanny horror and "unraveling caste and feudal hierarchies". It is part of a broader trend in Malayalam cinema that "foregrounds caste critique, thereby contributing to the discourse on the role of regional films in reimagining casteist structures and history".

The portrayal of family dynamics and gender roles in Malayalam cinema offers a fascinating look into the changing values of Kerala's households.

Malayalam cinema and Kerala culture are inextricably linked. The films not only showcase the state's stunning landscapes and traditions but also provide a glimpse into the lives of its people. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, it's exciting to see how it will continue to represent Kerala's culture on the global stage.