Rating: ⭐✨ 1.5/5
- Alpha Review:
- Story: A Spy Film That Forgets To Be Thrilling
- The Biggest Problem: The Writing
- Alia Bhatt Tries Hard, But The Role Doesn't Fit
- Sharvari Deserved Better
- Bobby Deol Is Wasted
- Anil Kapoor Feels Underutilised
- Action Without Excitement
- Hrithik Roshan Steals The Show... Again
- Direction
- What Doesn't Work
- What Works
- Final Verdict
After years of building the YRF Spy Universe into Bollywood’s biggest action franchise, Alpha was expected to break new ground by introducing its first female-led spy film.
Instead, it delivers one of the weakest entries in the franchise, a film weighed down by an incoherent script, unbelievable action, and a complete lack of emotional or patriotic impact.
Despite boasting a talented cast featuring Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor, and cameo by Hrithik Roshan, the film struggles at almost every level beyond its glossy visuals.
Check our Alpha Review here! Is Alia Bhatt’s YRF Spy Universe film worth watching?
Alpha Review:
Story: A Spy Film That Forgets To Be Thrilling
Without venturing into major spoilers, Alpha revolves around the mysterious “Alpha” super-soldier program, an abandoned military project whose consequences continue to haunt the present.
On paper, the premise sounds interesting. In execution, however, it quickly descends into a confusing mix of borrowed ideas, forced twists and increasingly illogical storytelling.
The screenplay constantly asks the audience to suspend disbelief, but instead of building tension, it creates frustration.
Every revelation feels designed for shock value rather than narrative impact, while several plot developments appear heavily inspired by multiple Hollywood action films without adding anything original.
By the second half, the film becomes less of a spy thriller and more of a superhero fantasy disguised as one.
The Biggest Problem: The Writing
If there’s one department that lets Alpha down the most, it’s unquestionably the writing.
The story lacks internal logic, character motivations keep changing for convenience, and major twists arrive without proper emotional buildup.
Several scenes exist purely to move the plot forward rather than making narrative sense.
Even within the already exaggerated world of the Spy Universe, Alpha frequently stretches credibility beyond breaking point.
The franchise has always taken creative liberties, but previous films balanced spectacle with entertainment. Here, even that balance disappears.
Alia Bhatt Tries Hard, But The Role Doesn’t Fit
Alia Bhatt remains one of the finest performers of her generation, and her commitment to the role is evident throughout the film.
Unfortunately, commitment alone cannot overcome weak characterization.
The action choreography repeatedly places her against waves of heavily armed opponents in sequences that never feel believable.
Instead of appearing grounded or physically convincing, many fight scenes unintentionally become distracting.
This isn’t a criticism of Alia’s acting ability—it’s a criticism of how the character has been written and staged.
Not every accomplished dramatic actor automatically becomes a convincing action hero, and Alpha never finds a way to bridge that gap.
Sharvari Deserved Better
Sharvari certainly has screen presence, but the film gives her surprisingly little to work with.
Her character lacks development, emotional weight and memorable moments. Several action sequences also feel over-stylized, prioritising appearance over choreography.
She looks impressive, but rarely gets an opportunity to truly shine.
Bobby Deol Is Wasted
Following memorable antagonist roles in recent years, expectations from Bobby Deol were understandably high.
Sadly, Alpha gives him one of the weakest villains in the Spy Universe.
His motivations remain underdeveloped, his backstory feels rushed and the writing never allows him to become genuinely threatening.
Adding to the problem is an inconsistent accent that often becomes distracting instead of intimidating.
Anil Kapoor Feels Underutilised
Anil Kapoor brings his usual screen presence and professionalism, but his role never leaves a lasting impression.
He’s simply too talented for a character that exists mostly to deliver exposition.
Action Without Excitement
Ironically for an action film, the action rarely generates excitement.
Most sequences rely heavily on stylised slow motion, exaggerated combat and convenient escapes rather than clever choreography or genuine suspense.
The film often mistakes noise for intensity.
Hrithik Roshan Steals The Show… Again
The biggest applause inside theatres is reserved for Hrithik Roshan’s cameo.
His brief appearance instantly injects energy into the film and serves as a reminder of what made the earlier Spy Universe films entertaining in the first place.
Ironically, one of the shortest appearances becomes the most memorable moment in a film running well over two hours.
Spoiler Warning
The biggest problem with Alpha arrives in the second half, where the film reveals that one character, a Pakistani operative, has been living inside India for nearly 20 years while secretly running the illegal Alpha program.
The twist is clearly designed to shock the audience, but instead it leaves you scratching your head.
Are we really expected to believe that someone could infiltrate India’s military ecosystem, operate such a massive covert project, and remain completely undetected for two decades?
Rather than creating tension, the reveal completely breaks the film’s internal logic.
What’s even more baffling is that this twist arrives just months after Dhurandhar showed an Indian soldier living undercover in Pakistan for years with detailed planning, espionage and constant danger.
In Alpha, the same concept is flipped with almost no believable explanation or groundwork, making it feel more like a convenient screenplay shortcut than a well-earned revelation.
Add to that random glamour shots, including bikini sequences inserted in the middle of a supposedly high-stakes mission, and a caricature-like Haryanvi accent for Bobby Deol that quickly becomes distracting, and the second half starts feeling unintentionally comical.
By the climax, it’s difficult to stay emotionally invested because the screenplay has already asked the audience to ignore far too many logical gaps.
Direction
Director Shiv Rawail attempts to mount the film on a grand scale, and technically Alpha looks polished.
The cinematography, production design and visual scale are all impressive.
However, style cannot compensate for weak storytelling. When the screenplay itself lacks coherence, even polished direction struggles to keep audiences invested.
What Doesn’t Work
- Weak and illogical screenplay
- Forgettable villain
- Unconvincing action choreography
- Forced twists with little emotional impact
- Generic spy-film clichés
- Overdependence on borrowed ideas
- Very little patriotic or emotional connect despite the premise
What Works
- Slick production values
- Strong cinematography
- Hrithik Roshan’s cameo
- Alia Bhatt’s sincere effort despite the weak material
Final Verdict
Alpha had the opportunity to redefine the YRF Spy Universe with a fresh perspective and a compelling female-led story. Instead, it delivers one of the franchise’s most disappointing outings.
It borrows heavily, explains little, and expects the audience to overlook glaring logical gaps in favour of spectacle. Unfortunately, spectacle alone isn’t enough.
The film ultimately feels like a collection of stylish action scenes stitched together by an undercooked script.
If War and Pathaan expanded the Spy Universe, Alpha feels like a warning sign that the franchise desperately needs stronger writing rather than bigger budgets.
Rating: ⭐✨ 1.5/5
- Alpha Review:
- Story: A Spy Film That Forgets To Be Thrilling
- The Biggest Problem: The Writing
- Alia Bhatt Tries Hard, But The Role Doesn't Fit
- Sharvari Deserved Better
- Bobby Deol Is Wasted
- Anil Kapoor Feels Underutilised
- Action Without Excitement
- Hrithik Roshan Steals The Show... Again
- Direction
- What Doesn't Work
- What Works
- Final Verdict
Watch it only if you’re a die-hard YRF Spy Universe completionist—or if you simply want to see Hrithik Roshan’s cameo. For everyone else, this mission is easy to skip.
Lead Image: YRF
Also Read:
Cocktail 2 OTT Release: Where To Watch Shahid, Kriti And Rashmika Romantic Drama Online