The YRF SpyVerse finally shifts its focus to a female-led story with Alpha, a film that has been surrounded by endless discussions long before its release. Social media spent months predicting everything from heavy reshoots to an OTT release, almost deciding the movie’s fate before audiences even had the chance to watch it. Those assumptions turned into a much bigger conversation than the film itself. Now that Alpha has arrived in theatres, the reality sits somewhere between the extreme opinions floating online.
Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha isn’t the complete disaster some people expected, but it also doesn’t become the powerful new chapter that the SpyVerse desperately needed. The film delivers polished visuals, a few energetic action moments and a capable supporting cast, yet it keeps missing the emotional heartbeat that could have made the experience memorable. Even with a promising setup, the story never fully reaches the level it aims for.
A Promising Origin Story That Never Fully Comes Alive
The film begins with Colonel Vikrant Kaul, played by Anil Kapoor, facing an impossible decision after his pregnant wife Janki develops a life-threatening heart condition. Doctors warn that continuing the pregnancy could cost her life, but she refuses to abandon her unborn child. At the same time, Vikrant’s ambitious junior Fateh, played by Bobby Deol, is pushing an experimental military serum designed to transform ordinary soldiers into superhuman weapons.
Desperate to save his wife, Vikrant secretly uses the serum despite the obvious risks. What initially appears to be a miracle slowly becomes a tragedy as the experiment reveals deadly consequences. The newborn survives while Janki loses her life, setting the foundation for Alpha’s origin story. Without revealing major spoilers, the narrative then follows the consequences of that decision and the journey of a girl whose life was shaped by a dangerous scientific experiment.
On paper, the screenplay has enough ingredients for an engaging spy thriller. Themes of sacrifice, family, loyalty and identity naturally fit inside a franchise built around larger-than-life heroes. Unfortunately, the emotional moments arrive too quickly before viewers get enough time to connect with the characters. Several relationships that should have carried emotional weight are rushed, making important scenes feel less impactful than they should have been.
Strong Performances, But The Action Doesn’t Always Lift The Film
Alia Bhatt steps into unfamiliar territory with a physically demanding action role. She clearly commits herself to the part, and several combat sequences show the amount of preparation that went into the performance. However, commitment alone doesn’t always create screen presence. While the choreography is slick and technically impressive, the action rarely creates the adrenaline rush expected from a SpyVerse film.
Sharvari continues exploring a different image after recent performances and comfortably handles what the script demands from her. Although her character doesn’t receive enough emotional depth, she leaves a better impression once the second half begins. Bobby Deol plays the antagonist with conviction and gives the villain enough menace without slipping into caricature. Anil Kapoor once again proves why experience matters, bringing authority and emotional balance whenever he appears on screen. Dia Mirza, despite limited screen time, adds warmth to the opening portion of the story.
One of the film’s biggest talking points is Hrithik Roshan’s extended special appearance. His arrival noticeably changes the film’s energy, and the sequences featuring him become some of the most entertaining moments. His effortless charisma reminds viewers why the SpyVerse has relied so heavily on its established heroes over the years. After those scenes conclude, however, the momentum gradually fades again before leading into a climax that may divide audiences.
Style Wins Over Substance Too Often
The background score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara constantly tries to amplify the action, making every fight feel larger than life. Songs and musical cues are used aggressively whenever Alpha enters combat, attempting to build the image of an unstoppable warrior. At times it works, but eventually the soundtrack begins carrying emotional moments that should have been earned through storytelling instead.
Visually, the film looks polished and delivers the glossy production values audiences expect from a Yash Raj Films blockbuster. The action choreography, cinematography and production design rarely disappoint from a technical standpoint. The bigger issue lies in the screenplay, which moves through emotional developments far too quickly while giving viewers little reason to become invested in the central relationships. The result is a film that often looks exciting but rarely feels exciting.
The conversation around Alpha also says something about today’s movie culture. Online discussions had already labelled the film a failure months before release, proving once again how quickly social media can shape public perception. At the same time, surviving internet negativity doesn’t automatically make a film successful either. Ultimately, audiences judge what appears on the screen, and Alpha delivers a mixed experience rather than a game-changing addition to the franchise.
PopcornRealm Rating: 2/5
Alpha isn’t a complete misfire, nor is it the bold reinvention the YRF SpyVerse needed after recent criticism surrounding the franchise. It offers respectable performances, polished production values and occasional action highs, particularly whenever Hrithik Roshan enters the frame. Unfortunately, the emotional core remains surprisingly weak, preventing the film from becoming the memorable origin story it clearly wanted to be. Fans of the SpyVerse may still find moments worth watching, but those expecting a thrilling new beginning are likely to leave want
