Kingdom (2025) Movie Review

Kingdom

Kingdom is a Telugu-language spy drama that combines intense action with emotional storytelling. Set in the early 1990s in Sri Lanka, the film begins strong with a gripping story, stylish visuals, and powerful performances. However, as the film moves into the second half, it starts to lose emotional depth and clarity, making the experience less impactful.

Story

The story follows Surya (played by Vijay Deverakonda), a police constable who goes undercover to break a smuggling operation. To his shock, he discovers that the leader of the gang is none other than his own elder brother, Shiva (played by Satyadev). This personal twist adds emotional weight to the mission and creates tension between duty and family.

The film is designed as part of a two-part series and was shot across several locations including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Kerala, and Sri Lanka. The rich backdrops and period setting add depth to the world-building.

Highlights

  • Vijay Deverakonda delivers a strong performance, showing a mix of emotional control and intensity.
  • The action scenes are well-executed and grounded, focusing more on storytelling than flashy visuals.
  • The cinematography captures the tension of the environment, using lush landscapes and gritty urban settings effectively.
  • Music and background score are impressive and elevate key scenes.
  • Editing in the first half keeps the pace tight and engaging.

Where It Falls Short

  1. The film struggles to build an emotional connection with the audience, especially in the second half.
  2. The story becomes less focused after the interval, with rushed plot twists and unresolved subplots.
  3. Some parts feel repetitive, using familiar themes seen in other films like Pushpa and KGF.
  4. The film tries to do too much at once, mixing personal drama, action, and political undertones, which results in an uneven tone.

Critical and Audience Response

Critics were divided. Some praised the visual quality, lead performances, and the bold attempt to tell a serious story. Others felt the film lacked depth and failed to deliver a satisfying emotional payoff.

Audiences appreciated the production quality and Vijay Deverakonda’s screen presence, but many were disappointed by the second half, calling it slow and confusing.

Box Office Performance

Kingdom released on July 31, 2025, and made over ₹33 crore in India within three days. By the fourth day, it crossed ₹40 crore globally. The film performed well in Telugu-speaking states and had decent collections in its dubbed versions.

Unfortunately, the movie was leaked online shortly after release, which impacted its earnings and raised concerns about piracy.

Controversies and Future

The film faced criticism for how it portrayed Sri Lankan Tamils. Some viewers found the representation insensitive and called for bans in certain regions. Despite this, there are hints of a sequel, suggesting the story will continue with more focus on the larger spy network.

Final Verdict

Kingdom is an ambitious film with solid acting, impressive visuals, and a promising concept. The first half sets high expectations, but the second half doesn’t deliver the emotional weight it aims for. It’s a decent action drama that fans of the genre might enjoy, but it falls short of being a memorable experience.

Watch it if: you enjoy spy thrillers, emotional family drama, and stylish action.
Skip it if: you expect a tightly written story with strong character development.

The film is expected to stream on Netflix in September 2025 in multiple languages.

Also Check:

Mahavatar Narasimha Movie Review (2025)

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