Most crime dramas revolve around the pursuit of a fugitive, keeping audiences guessing about the killer’s identity. Stephen, the latest Tamil psychological thriller released on Netflix on 5 December 2025, flips this formula. The movie begins with its titular character confessing to multiple murders, surrendering to the authorities without resistance.
This unusual premise shifts the focus from “who” committed the crimes to “why” he did so. Filled with suspense, psychological manipulation, and unexpected twists, the film explores the mind of a serial killer who skillfully alters perceptions, even after being caught.
Directed and starring Mithun Balaji, Stephen attempts to transcend the typical crime thriller. Balaji portrays a methodical, cold-blooded murderer capable of faking emotions to manipulate those around him. The supporting cast, including Smruthi Venkat and Michael Thangadurai, adds nuance to the story, grounding the narrative in realistic interactions. The movie also examines flaws in the judicial system, highlighting how cunning criminals can exploit procedural loopholes to evade justice.
Stephen (JM Production House)Stephen Confesses Nine Murders, Revealing Dark Childhood Trauma Shaping His Disturbed Psyche
The plot follows Stephen, a young man who confesses to murdering nine women, each killed in a similar manner after being lured under the pretext of auditions. He claims to have stabbed them and left their bodies in the forest, mysteriously disappearing the following day.
Officer Michael, tasked with the case, is baffled by Stephen’s voluntary confession, prompting the court to assign Clinical Psychologist Dr. Seema to evaluate his mental state. The film quickly moves into the psychological assessment, setting the stage for deep explorations of Stephen’s past and motivations.
Stephen’s background reveals a harrowing childhood. His father, an abusive alcoholic, killed his mother before committing suicide, while also regularly tormenting Stephen. The family pet, Kutton, was also killed by his father in a drunken rage.
Stephen’s mother later took control of the household through her own form of violence, perpetuating cycles of abuse. These traumatic experiences, including witnessing parental violence and living under constant fear, shape Stephen’s early psychological development, laying the groundwork for his later criminal behavior.
Stephen (JM Production House)Stephen’s Violent Past Unfolds, Leading to Familial Murders and Dark Obsessions
Investigation reveals the shocking truth behind Stephen’s parents’ deaths. On 31 December 2021, a confrontation with his controlling mother pushes Stephen to stab her in a fit of rage. His father, initially celebrating a temporary reprieve from her tyranny, is also killed by Stephen.
These acts of familial murder mark a critical moment in Stephen’s descent, forcing him to relocate to Chennai and live a life detached from his past. The movie portrays these events with chilling realism, emphasizing the psychological underpinnings of his actions rather than just the acts themselves.
Stephen’s relationship with Kruthika, his childhood friend and eventual wife, introduces a new dimension to his psyche. After hallucinating and hearing his deceased parents’ voices, Stephen becomes increasingly manic and controlling, eventually killing Kruthika in a fit of obsessive rage.
This traumatic event catalyzes his pattern of killing young women, recreating the scenario with each victim. Another character, Mary Johns, narrowly escapes Stephen’s murderous intent, demonstrating both his selective impulses and the twisted logic behind his surrender.
During the trial, Dr. Seema assesses Stephen as mentally unstable while committing his crimes, yet fully aware when surrendering. Despite his remorse, the court sentences him to double life imprisonment with mandated psychiatric treatment.
In a pivotal revelation, Stephen admits that his confession was a calculated strategy to manipulate the justice system. By presenting himself as repentant and mentally compromised, he aims to minimize punishment and survive as a testament to his manipulative brilliance and complex psychology.
The film closes on a mysterious note, hinting at a larger universe of crime. The whereabouts of the victims’ bodies remain uncertain, with visuals suggesting a poultry farm where they are secretly stored.
This unresolved element sets the stage for potential sequels, including the teased Luna: The Night Awakens. By combining psychological depth, moral ambiguity, and procedural intrigue, Stephen redefines the Tamil crime thriller, leaving viewers both unsettled and fascinated by the mind of a mastermind serial killer.
