Alpha (2026): The Opening Mission keeps the film tense but uneven overall
The first scene of *Alpha* throws us into a rain-slicked rooftop, where Alia Bhatt’s assassin dispatches three men with brutal efficiency, her movements a precise, brutal ballet. By the time she lands, a single tattoo on her arm teases a personal wound, but the film’s promise of a tight, emotional action thriller begins to fray almost immediately.
Alia Bhatt: The Physical Anchor in a Chaotic Sandstorm
Bhatt’s physicality is the film’s singular, redemptive force. In the climactic battle, she swings from a chandelier, her face a mask of controlled fury, making every punch land with narrative weight. She owns the screen in these moments, her eyes carrying the script’s missing emotional subtext.
But the script betrays her where it matters most: the tattoo subplot. Meant to symbolize her struggle between family and duty, it plays out as a rushed, sentimental afterthought that halts the film’s momentum. I found myself wishing the writers had trusted her silence more than the clumsy dialogue about “family is a lie.”
Shiv Rawail’s Double-Edged Blade: Action Highs and Plot Lows
The direction excels in controlled chaos, the opening ambush and the final showdown are choreographed with a clear, spatial intelligence that rivals *War*. Rawail knows how to frame a punch and let the camera breathe in a firefight, giving the action a rare, kinetic clarity.
Where he falters is the screenplay’s first act. The script, penned by three writers from an Uday Chopra story, feels overstuffed and under-edited, introducing the conspiracy with a confusing mix of exposition and flashbacks. The emotional beats land with a thud, making the first half a slog before the second half tightens into something watchable.
The Action Thriller Engine: Tight, Loud, and Predictable
The genre’s core, high-stakes espionage, works best when the film goes silent. The confrontation between Bhatt and Sharvari in a mirrored room is a masterclass in tension, using reflections to keep us guessing who will strike first. The stunt geography here is sharp, each movement earned.
But the mystery of the stepfather’s illicit soldier program unfolds with a disappointing lack of suspense. The “revelation” is telegraphed from the second Anil Kapoor appears, robbing the plot of its intended shock value. The script leans too heavily on YRF Spy Universe lore, which only fans will appreciate.
The second half’s pace saves the film. Once the protagonist stops brooding and starts fighting, the editing snaps into place. The background score, pulsing with electronic urgency, compensates for the predictable beats, turning a by-the-numbers climax into a visceral experience.
Anil Kapoor and Sharvari: Support That Nearly Steals the Show
Anil Kapoor plays the stepfather with a chilling, fatherly grace. His scene where he calmly explains why he “required” the soldier program is the film’s most unsettling moment, he lands the nuance between paternal affection and cold calculation that the lead character’s subplot fails to achieve.
Sharvari, as the rival assassin, brings a feline stillness to her fights. She uses stealth and sudden aggression in a corridor chase that outpaces Bhatt’s opening action. But her character is tragically underdeveloped; she is a formidable threat, but never a real person with motivations beyond “I was trained to kill.” Her casting signals ambition, but the script leaves her as a blank, pretty mirror.
Bobby Deol, in minimal screen time, delivers a solid, weary agent presence. His one line about “rules of the game” lands with the weight of an experienced spy, hinting at a richer world the film never explores.
A Rotten Tomatoes Score That Echoes the Split
Critics have given *Alpha* a lukewarm 6.8/10 on Rotten Tomatoes, praising the action and lead performance while calling out the “overly complex plot” and “predictable climax.” The IMDb audience rating sits higher at 7.2/10, suggesting that genre fans are willing to forgive narrative shortcuts for the adrenaline, especially in IMAX, where the action visuals explode.
The audience’s BookMyShow score of 8.5/10 reinforces this: 75% positive social media sentiment celebrates Bhatt’s “commanding presence, ” while the 25% negative camp complains about the “confusing first 30 minutes.” The opening day collected an impressive ₹45 crore, according to Box Office India, and the first week total hit ₹180 crore, declaring it a Hit against a ₹120 crore budget.
For more on well-executed action, browse our collection of Hindi Thriller reviews.
Should You Break Cover? The Verdict for Action Fans
Go for Bhatt’s physical peak and the third-act brutality, but leave expectations of emotional depth at home. This is a loud, messy, occasionally thrilling spy saga that works best on IMAX, where the shaky first half blurs into the noise. If you’ve seen *War* and want more of that universe without expecting its polish, *Alpha* delivers.
For a more focused action-comedy with a similar star-driven energy, check out Welcome Jungle review.
The film earns a solid 6.5/10: watchable for the craft, skippable for the soul.
For a quieter, more nuanced sibling drama that contrasts this loud spectacle, see Katti verdict.
Ankit Jaiswal is the Chief Author, covering Indian cinema and OTT releases with honest, no-filler criticism. An SEO strategist by background, he brings a research-driven approach to film writing, cutting through hype to tell you exactly what's worth your time.
