Critical reception
Anna Mathews of The Times of India rated the film 3/5 stars. The first half of the film is highly praised for its scary atmosphere, with all technical departments combining brilliantly to deliver genuinely unsettling scares. The performances, including those of Mathew Thomas and Sarath Sabha, and the romance are noted as unique. The second of the film is characterised by "sluggish writing" and an "uninspired" revelation of the "ghost's" identity. She wrote, "Because this is a horror film, not about making the spirit go away, but about conquering one’s fears." [12]
C. J. Sudhi of Malayala Manorama wrote, "The two-hour-long film keeps the audience engaged throughout and stands out as a perfect family entertainer. Abhilash Shankar’s captivating cinematography and Noufal Abdullah’s sharp editing add more brilliance to the movie." [13]
Vishnupriya S of Zee News wrote, "The horror-comedy thriller Nellikkampoyil Night Riders, directed by debutant Noufal Abdullah and starring Mathew Thomas in the lead role, opened to highly positive responses. Blending fantasy elements, the film is set in the fictional Kerala–Tamil Nadu border village of Nellikkampoyil. Set in the 1970s, it narrates a gentle tale of love and friendship in a border village, beginning with the voice-over of Shyam (Mathew Thomas), a young man studying in Bangalore." [14]
Asianet News wrote, "In this film where visual effects play a major role, that department has performed remarkably well. The music is composed by Yaxson Gary Pereira and Neha Nair, while the screenplay is penned by Jyothish M. and Sunu A. V. Films belonging to the horror-comedy genre have always intrigued audiences, and Nellikkampoyil Night Riders does not disappoint in meeting those expectations." [15]
Vishal Menon of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "It’s a thin plotline that could only have been saved in execution. Director Noufal Abdullah tries his best to create the illusion of a mysterious village, but there’s only so much he can do." [16]
