In Poacher, the Kerala Forest Department is met with surprise when they discover a poaching operation being carried out under their nose. The series is now streaming on Prime Video.
Story
In 2015, in Malayattoor, Kerala, Aruku, a local, walks into a police department to confess his involvement in the murder of elephants and expose the people behind these murders.
He offers the names Raaz, a poacher inactive for years who seems to have started dealing in ivory again, Poyya Varghese, and Ivan Das.
Aruku claims that Raaz has gone mad, considering how he is slaughtering elephants. The cops fail to capture Raaz twice, which leads Neel Banerjee, Chief Wildlife Warden and Field Director, to take over the case.
The case is sensitive. Raaz is recklessly killing elephants. Their disappearance will hurt the ecosystem of Kerala, and within a few years, Kerala will become as polluted as Delhi.
To make sure that he catches Raaz and his gang quietly, Neel forms a team of his trusted officers, making sure there will be no internal sabotage or leak.
Performances
The actors portraying the police officers deliver a seamless performance on screen, distinct from typical cop characters seen in other shows, as they inject their own unique flair into their roles.
Nimisha Sajayan, as Mala, plays a strong-headed cop who is in touch with nature and wildlife. She tends to avoid showing reactions during big breakthroughs, which leaves viewers thinking about Mala’s next play.
Roshan Mathew, as Alan, is the tech expert of the team, but without the tasteless jokes. Alan is more determined when needed, which makes him a strong and likable lead.
Dibyendu Bhattacharya, as Neel Banerjee, carries the no-nonsense attitude till the end. He never loses the focus of Neel, establishing that he has completely immersed himself in the character.
Positives
Poacher certainly brings a great set of characters to the center of the investigation. The characters that form the team of the Kerala Forest Department handling the case at hand are comprised of cops that stand out from other crime drama shows.
These characters have to deal with their problems and trauma, but the show makes sure not to create drama out of it and focus on the main plot.
The likeable team of cops is backed by an engaging narrative. The creators certainly follow a captivating formula that draws viewers into the investigation. Not once will a viewer find the show bland.
Negatives
The CGI used in the show is average to terrible. To be more precise, it is noticeable. It is mainly used for the animals portrayed in the show.
What ruins the experience further is when the series attempts to show the behavior of animals that seem out of character.
For a show called Poacher, the show doesn’t follow the activities of poachers at large. It rather follows the heroes trying to apprehend these poachers.
Even though there is an entire episode dedicated to these poachers, none of the characters are established as credible threats, even though the show claims that they are not to be taken lightly.
Verdict
Poacher strictly sticks to being a crime drama that follows cops hunting down criminals. It fails to capture the core topic to the best.
There is less of animals and poaching and more of cops and their investigations, which can be found in other shows as well. Nonetheless, it proves to be a compelling viewing experience that never loses its allure.
Poacher
Director: Richie Mehta
Date Created: 2024-02-23 12:00
3.5
Also Read: Poacher summary and ending explained