Critical response
Bramayugam received highly positive reviews from critics especially for the cast, production design, background score, sound design and cinematography.
Akshay P. R. of DT Next rated 4 out of 5 and wrote, "Director Rahul Sadasivan is yet again exploring the haunted mansion theme but is quite different from his previous film 'Bhoothakalam' as it was more of dealing with our own past, but Bramayugam (The Age of Madness) is more of a black and white film, in the horror-thriller genre to explore the power pattern in history." Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express described Bramayugam as Malayalam's "horror cinema peaked here" moment. He lauded Mammootty's performance, in particular, noting, "While he has consistently displayed brilliance in portraying grey characters, with Baskara Pattelar in Vidheyan (1994) and Kuttan in Puzhu (2022) being prime examples, Mammootty surpasses himself in Bramayugam, exuding darkness like never before. Even at this age and stage in his career, he doesn't hold back in even the most disturbing scenes in the film, going all in and extracting the best from himself to elevate the movie. His sharp and measured dialogue delivery, along with the malevolence he exudes through subtle glances and smirks, further enhances the brilliance of Bramayugam."
Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTplay rated 3.5 out of 5 and reviewed, "Mammootty's Bramayugam benefits richly from its engaging screenplay, cinematography and performances, which makes the viewer forget that it's a black-and-white film and lets you enjoy the magic of cinema."
Reviewing for The News Minute, Sukanya Shaji stated, "The heart of this monochrome horror thriller is, of course, Mammootty. Even as Potti makes your stomach churn in disgust, Mammootty makes you want to clap for his versatility as a performer. Arjun Ashokan and Sidharth Bharathan perhaps have more screen time than Mammootty, and make good use of it, though some scenes make you think that the characters could have benefitted from the experienced craft of more seasoned actors."
The New Indian Express' Vignesh Madhu rated 3.5/5 and reviewed, "While Bhoothakaalam saw Rahul expertly handling psychology and supernatural elements, he blends folklore and horror in Bramayugam to create a terrifying atmosphere where almost every moment is an event.
Nirmal Jovial from The Week rated 4 out of 5 and verdicted, "Bramayugam has a major reliance on visual storytelling, but its memorability isn't derived from visual gimmicks or jump scares. Instead, it's the intricate world-building orchestrated by Sadasivan, with significant support from Ramakrishnan, within a confined yet evocative setting, that truly captivated this reviewer."
Firstpost rated 3/5 and reviewed, "What really drives the film home is the performance by the lead actors. Mammootty is going all out with his out of box choices because this is probably the most sinister, and terrifying character that I have seen him portray. Everything about this film is experiential. Starting from the dark insides of the theaters to the sound and music in the film. It is ethereal how the beautifully all aspects of the film come together to achieve this feat.
Janani K. of India Today rated the film 3/5 and said, "‘Bramayugam’, with an intriguing story, gifts you an immersive experience. And Mammootty strikes yet again".
Deccan Herald's Arun Antony rated 4/5 and reviewed, "Arjun Ashokan surprises as the paanan but Siddharth Bharathan stands out as the cook. Overall ‘Bramayugam’ makes a lasting impression and anyone who is a fan of ‘Tumbbad’ should watch it".
Anna Mathews of The Times of India rated 3.5/5 and wrote, "The script, the direction and art direction cultivates the eerieness and makes the film scary. But the story with bits of class politics and religious philosophy sometimes lacks a flow and does not make things very clear."
Reviewing for Onmanorama, Swathi P. Ajith wrote, "The film seamlessly merges horror, thriller, and folktale elements, with horror subtly woven into the shadows and sounds. Rather than relying on jump scares, the movie crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere, gradually building a sense of terror." Analysing the film for Onmanorama, Sajesh Mohan wrote about the power politics depicted in the movie, "Rahul's 'Bramayugam' and Jijo's 'My Dear Kuttichathan' depict the manipulation tactics of power-hungry people who ensnare gods and demigods like Chathan, Karinkali, Yakshi, etc., exploiting their vulnerabilities to instil fear and exert control over fellow beings."
