Every now and then, a crime so heinous slithers through the cracks of normalcy and shatters society’s sense of safety. It is utterly shocking, not so much for its brutality, but for its chilling intimacy, its ability to lurk in the smile of a neighbour, the embrace of a family member.
Such was the case with the Koodathayi cyanide killings, a series of murders that rocked not only the sleepy village of Koodathayi in Kerala where the crime took place but also the entire Indian nation.
How could Jolly Joseph, a seemingly ordinary wife and mother, always wearing a smile, become the alleged psychopath and sociopath who police believe poisoned six members of the Ponnamattam family, including a toddler, over 14 years?
This is the unsettling true crime story explored in Netflix’s “Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case.”
Through intimate interviews and shocking evidence, the documentary, directed by award-winning Keralan filmmaker Christo Tomy, exposes Jolly’s web of lies – the career she faked, the fatal meals she allegedly cooked, and a hidden lover.
There are see the relatives, their grief for their lost ones clashing with their growing suspicion of Jolly. You’ll see police officers, initially dismissive, scramble to piece together a mosaic of poisonings, hidden jealousies, and meticulously-timed alibis.
But Jolly’s not the only monster in this story. “Curry & Cyanide” forces you to confront the societal demons that allowed her to thrive. The whispers, the blind faith in outward appearances, the pressure on women to be the perfect wife and mother – all become unwitting accomplices in her alleged reign of terror.
The documentary starts with a brief history of Jolly and details how she met her husband, Roy Thomas. Soon after, the director expertly navigates each alleged murder and sheds light on the turmoil within the Ponnamattam family that investigators believe led Jolly to allegedly murder her victims.
The heartfelt first-hand accounts by Jolly’s son Remo Roy, her brother Rojo Thomas and her sister-in-law Renji Wilson give viewers an insider’s perspective to the horror that slowly unfolded within their family.
The documentary also builds its narrative around that one family member who ultimately saw through Jolly’s lies and forced her arrest.
Retired cop KG Simon, who headed the investigation, adds much-needed credibility to the case while Jolly’s attorney BA Aloor provides a counter perspective to ground the high-profile case. Additionally, interviews with a toxicologist, journalist, social activist and psychology expert lends integrity to the documentary.
However, with a runtime of 98 minutes, the documentary felt a little too compact for comfort. While it kept the storytelling engaging with its fast pace, an episodic approach might have proved to be equally effective and riveting as it would have provided more depth regarding the six murders.
There were still many pertinent questions that lingered even after the credits rolled. True crime documentary convention informs viewers that the making of any murderer must be traced back to his or her origins in order to uncover their motives for committing the crime.
What was Jolly’s upbringing like in her hometown of Kattappana? Who were her parents? What was she like before she married Roy? Was there any trauma that scarred her? None of these questions were tackled, leaving your inner Sherlock Holmes deprived of answers.
Another striking element depicted in the documentary is the almost lacklustre response from the family members every time someone unnaturally died. Why weren’t any post mortems (except for one) requested? Why was the family opposed to uncovering the truth? Was it to save face? These questions weren’t properly explored either.
With the court case ongoing, legal restrictions understandably impose a veil of secrecy on certain aspects of the murders. While Tomy skilfully dances around these limitations, the documentary can’t help but feel a step removed from the heart of the matter, leaving viewers tantalised but ultimately unsatisfied.
Nevertheless, “Curry & Cyanide” is still a gripping documentary that both horrifies and informs. It leaves some room for speculation but offers an unsettling true-crime feast with a lingering aftertaste.
“Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case” is currently streaming on Netflix.
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