Alpha

Shiv Rawail's 'Alpha' enters the established YRF Spy Universe with an ambitious premise: an origin story centred on Sita, a highly trained assassin uncovering her past and seeking revenge against her creator. While the concept of a female-led action spectacle within this franchise holds significant promise, the execution struggles to fully capitalise on its potential. The film's primary strengths lie in its action sequences and the performances of its lead cast.

The action is consistently described as slick, well-choreographed, and visually appealing, showcasing impressive athleticism and acrobatics. Alia Bhatt, in the titular role, delivers a sincere and commendable performance, bringing a strong screen presence to the character of Sita. Sharvari also holds her own in the action, and supporting actors like Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol contribute with their strong presence, despite some critical notes on their character development.

Hrithik Roshan's cameo is noted as a brief but impactful highlight, providing a spark of excitement. However, 'Alpha' is significantly hampered by its narrative and writing. Critics frequently point to a muted, stretched, and often unoriginal storyline that fails to establish genuine emotional resonance.

The screenplay is criticised for being convenient, uninspired, and predictable, with dialogue that is often functional, humourless, or overly expository, explaining plot points rather than letting them unfold naturally. This leads to a fragmented and underwhelming drama that struggles to maintain a compelling pulse. Furthermore, the background score and songs are often deemed ill-placed and inconsequential, failing to enhance the film's impact.

While the cinematography is generally slick, some visual effects, particularly explosions, are noted as appearing fake. Ultimately, despite its high-octane action and strong lead performances, 'Alpha' often feels like a missed opportunity, delivering more style than substance.