The good news is that Alpha turns out to be a far more entertaining film than its teaser and trailer had suggested. Director Shiv Rawail delivers an engaging espionage thriller packed with slick action, stylish visuals and emotional stakes, even if the film occasionally stumbles because of screenplay loopholes and an unconvincing central performance.

Alpha: The Screenplay & Direction

The screenplay keeps the narrative moving through multiple timelines without becoming confusing. Shiv Rawail deserves credit for smoothly transitioning between different phases of the story, allowing the emotional beats and spy elements to unfold naturally.

© YRF

The action set pieces are mounted on a grand scale and fit comfortably within the established YRF Spy Universe. While the film embraces the franchise's over-the-top style instead of a grounded espionage approach, it largely succeeds in delivering amazing hand-to-hand combat scenes that look slick, instead of one punch and 10 people flying away.

However, several plot points raise more questions than answers. The film never convincingly explains how Anil Kapoor's character becomes the RAW chief after serving in the Indian Army. Kabir's monastery sequence also stretches credibility, leaving viewers wondering how he single-handedly eliminated an entire group of attackers.

The timeline raises additional doubts, including the depiction of Indian Armed Forces using body cameras in 2003 and the existence of a highly advanced super soldier serum during that period. Sharvari's introductory sequence also feels underwritten and lacks logical setup.

© YRF

Alpha: The Cast Performance

Bobby Deol is unquestionably the film's biggest winner.

His menacing screen presence, restrained performance and intimidating physicality make him one of the strongest antagonists the YRF Spy Universe has produced. Every scene featuring Bobby carries genuine tension, and he emerges as the film's undisputed MVP.

Sharvari delivers a confident performance and surprises with her action scenes. Interestingly, despite her character not being a trained assassin, she appears far more convincing during the combat sequences than the film's central protagonist.

Alia Bhatt, unfortunately, proves to be the weakest link. While she remains sincere throughout, her performance often feels like an extension of Jigra rather than a fresh interpretation of an elite assassin. As an action lead, she never appears fully convincing, and the physical transformation expected from a deadly operative feels lacking. The film repeatedly asks the audience to believe she is among the world's most dangerous assassins, but the performance and screen presence never completely sell that illusion.

I mean, Alia doesn't have a single ounce of muscle on her!

© YRF

Anil Kapoor is dependable as always and lends authority to his role, though the screenplay doesn't explore his character deeply enough.

Alpha: Music, Action & Technical Aspects

Technically, Alpha is one of the stronger entries in the franchise. The production values are polished, the cinematography is stylish, and the action choreography delivers several memorable moments.

The film's music and background score elevate many sequences, with Agni standing out as the clear musical highlight. The soundtrack complements the emotional and action-heavy portions effectively.

Alpha: Final Verdict

Alpha is certainly better than what its promotional material promised. It delivers an entertaining spy thriller with strong production values, impressive action and a terrific villain in Bobby Deol. However, uneven writing, unanswered plot points and a central performance that never fully convinces prevent it from joining the very best films in the YRF Spy Universe.

While Bobby Deol and Sharvari leave a lasting impression, Alia Bhatt's action avatar doesn't work as effectively, making this another outing where she feels miscast in a role built around physical intimidation and combat.

MensXP's Alpha Rating: 3/5