A Solid Comeback Vehicle with Strong Visuals and Emotional Undercurrents
With Kingdom, director Gowtam Tinnanuri steps into a grander cinematic space — mixing espionage, family drama, and tribal history — while staying true to his emotional storytelling roots. Starring Vijay Deverakonda in a restrained and intense role, the film doesn’t revolutionize the genre but delivers a gripping, well-mounted experience that fans of mature action dramas can appreciate. It’s far from perfect, but there’s a lot to like.
Story: Between Brotherhood and Betrayal
Set in the early ’90s, Kingdom follows Soori (Vijay Deverakonda), a low-profile constable sent undercover to dismantle a smuggling network in Sri Lanka. What complicates the mission? The leader of the operation is his long-lost brother Shiva (Satyadev). As Soori gets entangled in a world of crime, resistance, and buried truths, he must choose between blood ties and his sense of justice.
The story blends personal loss with larger stakes — a tribe fighting for survival, a cartel with blood on its hands, and a man caught in the middle.
Performances: Understated and Effective
Vijay Deverakonda Finds His Rhythm Again
After a few misfires, Vijay returns in form with a performance full of control and quiet power. His Soori doesn’t roar — he simmers. There’s visible grief and conflict in his eyes, and the performance stays consistent throughout, even in high-stakes action scenes.
Satyadev and Supporting Cast
Satyadev brings his usual finesse to Shiva, though the script doesn’t give him full emotional room to breathe. Their scenes together show potential, hinting at a deeper bond that might be better explored in a sequel.
Venkitesh VP is a surprise package — his calm menace as the antagonist Murugan leaves a mark. Bhagyashri Borse’s role feels more like setup for the future than a full arc, but she holds her ground.
Technical Brilliance: Kingdom’s Strongest Card
Visually, Kingdom is a treat. The cinematography (by Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John) captures both the raw beauty and the political tension of the setting — especially the moody coastal regions and forest interiors.
Anirudh Ravichander’s score amplifies key emotional beats, though it occasionally echoes his previous works. The action sequences are slick, clean, and realistic — more grounded than exaggerated. Naveen Nooli’s editing works best in the first half, while the second half could’ve used a sharper trim.
Where It Soars, Where It Slows
Strengths:
- Strong visuals and immersive setting
- A balanced, mature lead performance by Vijay
- Emotionally grounded action scenes
- Engaging first half with solid world-building
Weaknesses:
- Second-half pacing issues
- Emotional arcs, especially between brothers, feel underdeveloped
- Predictable plot turns in the final act
- Some characters and threads left incomplete (possibly sequel-bound)
Final Take
Kingdom may not be a genre-defining film, but it marks a return to form for Vijay Deverakonda and offers an engaging mix of action, emotion, and atmosphere. It’s a well-crafted story that leaves room for a more compelling sequel. If you enjoy slow-burning thrillers with personal stakes, Kingdom is worth a trip to the theatre — especially for fans looking for substance in their action dramas.
Bullseye Rating:★★★½ (3.5/5 stars)
Kingdom is a visually rich action drama that finds Vijay Deverakonda in fine form, supported by strong world-building and emotional undercurrents. While not flawless, it offers a solid theatrical experience and hints at greater things ahead.
The movie is currently in theatres.