Cast
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Vijay Sethupathi
as Micheal Karthikeyan
Remya Nambeesan
as Anu
Aadukalam Naren
as Sanmugam
Karunakaran
as Raghavan
Bobby Simha
as Bobby
Pooja Ramachandran
as Smitha
Veera Santhanam
as Exorcist
Jayakumar
as Srinath
Kavin Raj
as Cameo appearance
Nalan Kumarasamy
as Michael's friend (uncredited role)
Gajaraj
as Police
Crew
Director
- Karthik Subbaraj
Producer
- C. V. Kumar
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This Thriller/Comedy/Romance/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Pizza presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Karthik Subbaraj brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2012, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Pizza took approximately 35 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $0.2 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 127 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 186 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The costume department created over 199 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2012, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Pizza shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Crow: Salvation, which focuses more on action than character development, Pizza offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Crow and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master explore similar territory, Pizza stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 19, 2012
- Runtime: 2h 7m
- Budget: $240,000
- Revenue: $2,800,000
Where to Watch
