'Eleven' First Look: Naveen Chandra Impresses, But Direction Leaves Netizens And Critics Divided

The Tamil-Telugu bilingual crime thriller, Eleven, starring Naveen Chandra, is yet to hit the theatres officially, but reviews have already started pouring in. Ahead of the film’s official theatrical release on May 16, 2025, some premiere shows of Eleven have started, and early reviews are already flooding social media. As per the first impressions, while some viewers were all in for the gripping investigation and the unpredictable climax, others pointed out that the execution could not live up to the film’s ambitious premise. Here’s all you need to know about the Eleven’s first impressions before you decide to book the ticket!

The plot in brief

Eleven, directed by Lojjsh Ajls, is a Tamil-Telugu bilingual crime thriller, starring Naveen Chandra in the lead role opposite the film’s producer, Reyaa Hari. Produced under the banner of AR Entertainment, Eleven follows a meticulous cop who finds himself in the middle of a case where he has to unravel a disturbing pattern of murders where the killer manipulates one twin to kill the other. As the story unfolds, each revelation provides a deeper dive into childhood trauma, revenge, and moral ambiguity.

Other than Naveen and Reyaa, the film brings together an ensemble cast, including Abhirami, Riythvika, Dileepan, Shashank, and Aadukalam Naren, all of whom have received modest appreciation for their supporting roles.

Netizens’ early reaction to Eleven

Netizens who got to catch the early screenings of Eleven have taken to social media to rave about the film’s intense background score, the fast second half, and Naveen’s powerful portrayal of ‘Aravind’, a cop assigned to a gruesome series of murders, all involving twins. Viewers are calling the twisted climax of the movie “unexpected” and “chilling”. 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote, “#Eleven is a solid thriller that finds its footing in the second half. The climax had me gasping. Naveen Chandra nails it”. Film critic Ramesh Bala also echoed the views of netizens in his review. Rating the film a solid 3.25 out of 5, Bala reviewed the film as a “good investigation thriller” with an “unpredictable twist”. His tweet read:

“#ELEVEN [3.25/5]: A good investigation thriller with an unpredictable twist in the climax! A good investigation thriller with an unpredictable twist in the climax! Racy screenplay… @Naveenc212  as the lead has done well.. Competent supporting cast - @actressReyaa @abhiramiact @Riythvika @ActorDileepan @actorshashank @immancomposer. BGM is very apt for the thriller.. Technically solid! Writer/Director @lokeshajls gets both the thrills and emotions in the right way!”

Some viewers, however, left mixed reactions about the plot, stating that the film failed to meet a highly ambitious premise. Some found the plot to be too convoluted at times, but still find it worth watching for fans who love this genre. Regardless, users are praising Naveen for his impressive performances. One netizen described Eleven as a “fine thriller” and wrote:

“Eleven - Fine thriller. The film has an interesting premise and a superb flashback emotional episode, which are its big strengths. Though it has a formulaic first half and becomes a bit too convoluted at times, it is still a thriller worth catching up with for fans of the genre. @Naveenc212 has done well in the lead role, and gets good support from Abhirami in the second half. Also liked the performance of the kids in the flashback portion. Imman's BGM supports well too.”

Critics’ first impression

Despite the social media cheer, Eleven received a lukewarm review from The Times of India, which rated it 2.5/5. The publication criticised the film for its “tired plot” and “predictable direction,” adding that while the movie sets up an intriguing mystery, it falters with overt emotions and shows viewers exactly where the plot is going. The review also added that the  20-minute flashback sequence explaining the killer’s backstory felt more like a “forced emotional dump” than a naturally unfolding narrative.

Eleven first impression round-up

Netizens as well as critics left rave feedback about Naveen Chandra’s performance and commitment to the role. While the first half of Eleven feels like a predictable narrative, viewers can expect a layered second half with unexpected twists. D. Imman’s haunting background score is another plus point of the movie, which makes the plot far more enjoyable. Viewers have also praised the stellar cinematography of the film, thanks to the work of Karthik Ashokan. However, the story’s pacing might feel rushed at some points, given the numerous twists and snapshots.

Final verdict

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with moral dilemmas and enjoy decoding complex crimes alongside the protagonist, Eleven might be the perfect film for you. If you don’t expect a genre-defining experience, the film can be a solid watch for fans of investigative dramas, especially given its strong second half, the background score, cinematography, and stellar cast.

So, will Eleven be the next thriller to pull you back to the theatres?

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