Ace Movie Review: Vijay Sethupathi’s Heist Comedy
In his latest cinematic venture, Vijay Sethupathi returns with Ace, a Tamil-language film that merges crime, comedy, and romance with a high-energy heist at its core. Directed by Arumuga Kumar, the movie hit theatres on May 23, 2025, and reunites the actor-director duo after their quirky collaboration in Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren. Ace carries high expectations due to Sethupathi’s magnetic screen presence and Kumar’s genre-bending style.
Set in the bustling and multicultural landscape of Malaysia, Ace follows the story of a man trying to rebuild his life, only to fall into a chaotic swirl of crime, love, and moral choices. The film attempts to deliver both laughs and thrills, but its reliance on formulaic writing and inconsistent tone hinders the emotional impact and suspense.
Plot Summary
Kannan (played by Vijay Sethupathi), a man with a checkered past, arrives in Malaysia determined to start afresh. His plan soon derails when he falls in love with Meera (Rukmini Vasanth) and discovers that her family’s livelihood lies in the hands of a corrupt police officer and a violent gangster. Desperate to help her, Kannan assembles a ragtag team and orchestrates an elaborate heist targeting a criminal syndicate.
The film unfolds as a series of misadventures, clever set-ups, and comedic blunders. Kannan navigates both the criminal underworld and the complexities of love, all while trying to stay one step ahead of the law. The story draws inspiration from classic heist dramas but fuses them with the colorful, exaggerated storytelling style common in Tamil commercial cinema.
However, the film’s tone often veers from high-stakes tension to slapstick comedy without a clear transition, leaving the audience unsure about what the film truly wants to be.
Performances
Vijay Sethupathi commands the screen with effortless charm and comedic timing. He brings depth to Kannan, a flawed yet lovable anti-hero, and infuses the character with just enough sincerity to keep viewers emotionally invested. Sethupathi makes even the most predictable scenes watchable through sheer personality and nuance.
Yogi Babu provides solid comic relief and shares great on-screen chemistry with Sethupathi. Their banter gives the film its most enjoyable moments. Together, they anchor the film’s lighter side while attempting to carry the emotional undertones that the script only brushes upon.
Rukmini Vasanth, who enters the Tamil film industry with this role, handles her part with grace. She portrays Meera with sincerity and freshness, although the script does not give her much scope beyond being a romantic catalyst. Her character lacks agency, and the film sidelines her during crucial moments.
Divya Pillai and Babloo Prithiveeraj round out the supporting cast. They play key roles in the crime subplot but do not receive enough development to leave a lasting impact.
Direction and Screenplay
Director Arumuga Kumar builds Ace with enthusiasm and ambition. He tries to juggle multiple genres — action, comedy, romance, and crime — but struggles to weave them into a coherent whole. The screenplay stretches thin across these ambitions, sacrificing pacing and structure in favor of style.
Kumar constructs several humorous sequences and quirky character moments that entertain in isolation. However, they fail to contribute to a strong narrative arc. The film meanders in the second half, and the central heist, which should carry the most intensity, unfolds without urgency or clever tension.
The writing also suffers from predictability. Plot twists feel signposted, and character motivations lack complexity. The humor lands in bursts, but the drama lacks the emotional weight to sustain momentum.
Visuals and Technical Aspects
Cinematographer Karan B. Rawat captures Malaysia with vivid detail. The film’s locations range from urban skylines to dimly-lit hideouts, and Rawat uses lighting and framing effectively to elevate each setting. The visuals create a vibrant backdrop that supports the film’s shifting tone.
The editing, however, feels uneven. Sudden tonal shifts interrupt the story’s flow, and transitions between comedy and crime come across as jarring. A tighter edit could have enhanced the film’s rhythm and made the narrative more engaging.
The music, composed by Justin Prabhakaran, includes a few catchy songs that reflect the film’s mood. Tracks like “Singa Nadai” and “En Thamizhan” inject energy into key moments. The background score by Sam C.S. attempts to amplify dramatic scenes but occasionally overwhelms dialogue and emotional beats.
Critical Reception
Critics offered mixed reactions to Ace. Some appreciated its light-hearted take on the heist genre, while others criticized its inconsistent tone and weak script.
The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 stars. Reviewers acknowledged that the film could entertain when approached without high expectations. They commended Vijay Sethupathi’s performance and Yogi Babu’s comic timing but noted the lack of narrative depth.
India Today focused on Sethupathi’s reliable acting but pointed out the film’s pacing issues and lack of originality. Cinema Express recognized the film’s humor but found the screenplay cluttered and emotionally undercooked. Other outlets, such as 123telugu.com, found the film disappointing due to its sluggish narrative and uninspired writing.
Audience Response
Audiences responded more favorably to the film’s comedic elements than its crime story. Viewers enjoyed the chemistry between Sethupathi and Yogi Babu, and many praised the film’s visuals. However, viewers also expressed frustration over the plot’s predictability and the lack of character growth.
Social media buzz remained moderate. Conversations centered around the performances rather than the story, and discussions about the film faded quickly after release. Viewers described the film as a one-time watch that failed to reach its full potential.
Box Office Performance
On opening day, Ace earned approximately ₹0.76 crore across India. The Tamil occupancy rate stood at a modest 13.89%, and weekend projections remain below expectations for a Vijay Sethupathi starrer.
Trade analysts believe that Ace needs to gross at least ₹2.5 crore to qualify as a mid-range success for Sethupathi in the post-COVID era. As of now, the film continues to attract limited footfall in urban centers and struggles in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
The muted box office response reflects the lack of pre-release hype and the mixed word of mouth circulating after its first screenings.
Conclusion
Ace attempts to deliver a genre-bending cinematic experience that mixes crime, romance, and comedy in a vibrant, action-packed setting. The film leans heavily on its star power, and Vijay Sethupathi does not disappoint in terms of performance. He infuses Kannan with charm and emotional grounding, making the film watchable despite its flaws.
However, the film cannot overcome its predictable writing, erratic tone, and underdeveloped subplots. Arumuga Kumar brings ambition to the project but misses opportunities to explore its themes meaningfully. As a result, Ace entertains in parts but fails to leave a lasting impression.
Viewers seeking casual entertainment may find enough to enjoy. But those looking for a gripping heist film or emotionally resonant romance might walk away underwhelmed.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
