Kingdom Movie Review: An intense action drama grounded in emotion and craft

Time of India

4 days ago

Story: During the British era in the 1920s, a group of people living along the Srikakulam coast fall victim to brutal killings by the colonial forces. A handful manage to escape to an island near Sri Lanka. Seventy years later, Suri, a police constable haunted by the long-lost memory of his brother Shiva, agrees to take up a covert spy mission in the hope of finding him. His journey leads him to the treacherous shores of Jaffna, now under the control of smuggling cartels. But destiny has other plans, seemingly written long before his time.
Review: Gowtam Tinnanuri , known for his emotionally engaging storytelling in Jersey, brings a similar sensibility to Kingdom. Though mounted on a broader canvas with action and fictional history woven in, the film never loses sight of its emotional core. Kingdom taps into a classic saviour myth, where a displaced people hold on to ancestral belief that one day, someone bearing the signs of their ancient wisdom will lead them home.
Vijay Deverakonda dials down the swagger and delivers a performance grounded in restraint, emotional depth and simmering rage. As Suri, he convincingly portrays a man carrying the weight of grief and unanswered questions. His scenes with Satyadev are some of the most affecting moments in the film. Satyadev, as Shiva, brings his natural acting flair. Bhagyashri Borse makes a sincere attempt as Madhu, though her character arc could have benefited from stronger motivations. Venkitesh VP , as Murugan, the antagonist, is a show-stealer. He brings charisma, brooding intensity and calm menace, serving as a strong narrative counterweight.
The supporting cast, including Manish Chaudhari as the steely handler Jayaprakash, Ayyapa Sharma as the intimidating Divi Bhairagi, Rohini as Suguna, Babu Raj as Odiyappan, and Ajith Koshy, Bhoomi Shetty, Ravi Krishna, Navya Swami, and Mahesh Achanta, all leave an impression.
The film excels in its visual and aural language. Cinematographers Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T John craft a rich visual palette, capturing the moody landscapes of coastal Sri Lanka and the earthy grit of its conflict zones. Naveen Nooli's editing keeps the narrative coherent and pacy. Anirudh Ravichander 's background score rises to the occasion, amplifying key emotional beats, though traces of familiarity with his past compositions from Devara and Vettaiyan remain.
The action in Kingdom is not over the top. Instead, it is functional and well-choreographed, mostly serving the emotional stakes of the story. The film's strength lies in how the physical confrontations and conflicts are grounded in personal choices, with a maturity in the staging—whether it is Suri or Shiva making a pivotal decision. Tinnanuri's control over tone ensures that the story never veers into melodrama or spectacle for its own sake.
Kingdom is not about flashy heroism or exaggerated showdowns. It is an action drama that finds strength in its emotional weight. It marks a return to form for Vijay Deverakonda, who finds the right balance between intensity and vulnerability. It's a well-crafted action drama with emotional integrity and visual flair. Nitpicking aside, Kingdom delivers an impactful cinematic experience.