Kingdom Tamil Movie Review: A Visually Striking Yet Uneven Spy Thriller
Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, released on July 31, 2025, is an ambitious Tamil-dubbed action thriller starring Vijay Deverakonda as Soori and Satyadev Kancharana as his estranged brother Siva. With its grand scale, historical backdrop, and spy-thriller elements, the film promised much but delivered a mixed experience—technically stunning, yet emotionally underwhelming.
Plot and Themes
The story spans across eras—beginning with a 1920s prologue, where a tribal king defends his people against British exploitation, and moving into the 1990s civil-war setting. Soori, a police constable, is recruited by RAW to infiltrate a smuggling syndicate on Divi island, Sri Lanka. His mission turns personal when he learns the leader is none other than his brother, Siva.
Themes of duty, betrayal, family bonds, and displacement run throughout, with nods to migration struggles. However, the film drew criticism in Tamil Nadu for its portrayal of Sri Lankan Tamils, sparking protests and boycotts for perceived insensitivity.
Performances
Vijay Deverakonda shines as Soori, balancing grit with vulnerability. His performance is the heart of the film.
Satyadev Kancharana is solid as Siva but is let down by underwritten character depth.
Bhagyashri Borse as Dr. Anu is underutilized, with her arc left incomplete.
Venkitesh V.P. as antagonist Murugan leaves an impression, though the script limits his potential.
Supporting actors add value, but the focus remains heavily on the two brothers.
Direction and Writing
While Gowtam Tinnanuri ambitiously blends spy thriller intrigue with myth and family drama, the execution falters:
The first half sets a gripping tone with action and visuals.
The second half drags with predictable twists and slow pacing.
A dropped romantic track further weakens emotional stakes.
The screenplay feels inspired by other films, lacking originality.
The result is a technically polished but emotionally distant narrative
Technical Brilliance
Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan & Jomon T. John is outstanding, especially the sepia-toned prologue and misty Sri Lankan landscapes.
Anirudh Ravichander’s BGM adds grandeur but works best in select moments.
Action choreography is raw and gripping, with the cartel sequence a standout.
Editing is effective early but struggles to sustain pace later.
Production design convincingly recreates both historical and modern backdrops.
Strengths: Vijay’s performance and some well-executed flashback sequences.
Weaknesses: A slow, boring screenplay that fails to grip audiences.
Songs and certain character roles are underutilized.
The first half is dull, with little emotional connection.
Verdict: Not worth a theater watch, but could work better on OTT platforms.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Vijay Deverakonda’s compelling performance
Gorgeous visuals & authentic production design
Strong action choreography
Weaknesses:
Screenplay is slow, repetitive, and uninspired
Emotional arcs are underdeveloped
Characters and songs wasted
Controversial representation of Sri Lankan Tamils
Final Verdict
Kingdom is a film of contrasts—technically grand yet narratively uneven. Vijay Deverakonda’s performance and the stunning visuals make it watchable, but the screenplay’s sluggishness, cultural insensitivity, and lack of emotional pull weigh it down.
Rating: 1.5/5
Streaming Platform: Netflix
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