Vikram Movie Review: A Stylish, Gritty Tamil Action Master

The plot sounds deceptively simple on paper. Amar (a brilliantly sharp Fahadh Faasil) is a no-nonsense special investigator called in to solve a string of brutal, methodical serial killings targeting police officers. The corpses are found with a single, haunting word carved into their skin: “Starbucks.” But digging deeper, Amar uncovers a web that stretches far beyond a lone psychopath. The murders are connected to a clandestine drug ring, a masked vigilante named “Vikram,” and a shadowy operation that points to a war brewing in the city’s underbelly. As Amar peels back layers, he finds himself caught between two opposing forces: a ruthless narcotics syndicate led by the coldly efficient Sandhanam (Vijay Sethupathi) and a mysterious, one-man army (Kamal Haasan) operating under the alias Karnan. The narrative unfolds through a series of intersecting timelines and perspectives, culminating in a confrontation that wasn’t just a fight scene-it was a tectonic shift in the cinematic landscape.

Kanagaraj directs with the confidence of a filmmaker who knows exactly what he’s building. The first hour is deliberately paced, building character and dread. Fahadh Faasil’s Amar is our terrified and terrified anchor-the audience surrogate-and his forensic unraveling of the case is fascinating. But the switch flips when Kamal Haasan enters. His introduction, in a breathtaking long-take sequence that is part infiltration, part demolition, is one of the great character reveals in modern cinema. He plays Arun Kumar Vikram, or “Karnan,” as a man carrying decades of grief and a lethal skill set. Haasan’s physicality is astonishing; at 67, he moves with the agility of a man half his age, and his eyes convey a volcanic sorrow that never dims.

Then there’s Vijay Sethupathi. Sandhanam is not a shouty, bombastic villain. He’s a quiet, smiling bureaucrat of crime. His calm, almost polite menace is what truly unsettles. Watch the scene where he calmly discusses philosophy with a prisoner-it’s chilling because you see no malice, only absolute calculation. The script, by Kanagaraj and team, rewards patience. An early line about a “star” thrown into a black hole doesn’t just sound cool; it’s a crucial emotional beat about sacrifice. The final act, a 45-minute, no-breath action sequence set in an abandoned tower block, is a masterwork of blocking, sound design, and stunt choreography. It’s messy, frantic, and feels like real combat. The score by Anirudh Ravichander pulses with an industrial heartbeat-the theme for Karnan is now iconic.

Pros

• Kamal Haasan delivers a career-best performance across multiple ages and personas; the physicality and emotional weight are staggering.
• Lokesh Kanagaraj’s direction is razor-sharp, with incredible staging of action and a non-linear narrative that never loses focus.
• Villain Sandhanam is a top-tier antagonist; Vijay Sethupathi’s quiet, terrifying performance is a masterclass in less-is-more.
• The action is gritty, grounded, and creative-the long-take sequence at the tower is a modern classic.
• Anirudh’s score is a character in itself, elevating every scene with thematic depth and energy.
• Integrates seamlessly into the larger “Lokesh Cinematic Universe,” rewarding eagle-eyed viewers without alienating newcomers.

Cons

• The first hour, while necessary, feels deliberately slow and might test less patient viewers. It’s a mood piece before the storm.
• The female characters, particularly Vasanthi Guru’s Tina, are underutilized and feel more like plot devices than people.
• At 174 minutes, the film can be physically draining. It earns its length, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
• A few convenient coincidences (how exactly does Karnan always know where to be?) strain logic, even in a heightened crime world.

Vikram is not just a movie; it’s an event. It’s the sound of a filmmaker and a star operating at the peak of their powers, building a world that feels lived-in and dangerous. Kamal Haasan, after decades of reinvention, delivers a performance that feels both a summary of his career and a brand-new beginning. The film’s flaws-a languid first hour and some thin character work for the supporting cast-are minor scars on a magnificent beast. It asks you to invest in its density, and it repays that investment a hundredfold. For lovers of action cinema that prioritises character and consequence over spectacle, this is a masterpiece. It set a new benchmark, and four years later, few have even come close to touching it. Verdict: Must-Watch. A brutal, brilliant milestone.