Alpha Movie Review: Big Spy Film That Ends In Disappointment
The wait for Alpha, the latest film from the YRF Spy Universe, finally came to an end on July 3, 2026. With a big production house like Yash Raj Films, a popular cast that includes Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor, plus the excitement around the spy universe after films like War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3, expectations were naturally very high.
Sadly, after watching the film, I can say one thing very clearly. Alpha is not even mediocre. It tries hard to look grand and stylish, but underneath all that scale, there is very little substance. For me, this film deserves just 1.5 out of 5 stars.
Big Expectations Before Release
There was genuine excitement around Alpha for many reasons. This was the first female-led film inside the growing YRF Spy Universe, and many people expected something fresh and different. The promotional material looked polished, and fans hoped the studio would bring another blockbuster after the success of earlier spy films.
Advance booking numbers also looked decent. Reports suggested the film earned around ₹3.06 crore before release, which showed strong curiosity among audiences.
The presence of Hrithik Roshan as Kabir from War also created huge buzz even before release day. People expected a powerful crossover moment that could lift the entire film.
Sadly, hype and actual quality turned out to be two very different things.
The Story Feels Weak From The Start
The biggest problem with Alpha is the writing. Within the first part of the movie, it becomes clear that the story lacks depth. The screenplay feels flat and never builds proper tension.
A spy thriller usually needs suspense, smart twists, emotional conflict, and exciting moments that make viewers stay invested. Alpha struggles badly in almost every area.
The plot feels predictable from very early on. Several scenes become easy to guess even before they happen. Instead of excitement, many moments create boredom.
At many points, I kept waiting for the film to improve, but that moment never really came.
Action Looks Stylish But Feels Empty
One area where Alpha puts in effort is action. The fight sequences look polished, and the production budget clearly shows on screen.
The camera work is smooth, the locations look expensive, and several action scenes try to create that big franchise feel which audiences expect from YRF spy films.
But good action alone cannot save a weak film.
Many sequences look beautiful visually, but they carry almost no emotional weight. When viewers do not care deeply about the story, action scenes lose impact very quickly.
It feels like the film focuses more on style than storytelling.
Alia Bhatt Tries Hard But Cannot Save The Film
One positive aspect is Alia Bhatt herself.
She clearly puts effort into the role and looks convincing during action scenes. She carries confidence and screen presence throughout the film. You can see she committed fully to the character.
But even talented actors cannot fix poor writing.
The script gives her very limited material to work with emotionally. Several scenes feel forced, and the character never develops strongly enough for audiences to connect deeply.
This is unfortunate because Alia had the potential to lead a much better film.
Sharvari And Bobby Deol Deliver Decent Performances
Sharvari also performs well and looks comfortable in action sequences. She brings energy whenever she appears on screen and probably deserves better material than what this film offers.
Bobby Deol, as the villain, does a decent job too. He has screen presence, and some scenes work well because of him.
However, even the antagonist suffers because the writing never allows the character to become memorable.
The same issue affects almost everyone in the cast.
Hrithik Roshan Cameo Creates The Biggest Reaction
The loudest reaction inside theatres easily comes during Hrithik Roshan’s appearance as Kabir.
His cameo reminds viewers of how much stronger earlier YRF spy films felt.
Many audience reactions on social media also focus heavily on this appearance. Several early viewers praised this crossover moment, and theatres reportedly saw strong cheers during the scene.
Ironically, one short cameo becomes more exciting than large parts of the entire film.
That itself says a lot about Alpha.
Critics Share Similar Opinion
Early reviews from major publications show very similar reactions.
The Indian Express strongly criticized the film and called it dull, saying even the cast could not rescue it.
Moneycontrol also pointed toward the weak storytelling and stated that while Alia enters the spy universe, the story itself never truly arrives.
The Week criticized repetitive storytelling and emotional drama that never feels natural.
Some positive comments came from Times of India, where reviewers appreciated action choreography and overall presentation.
Audience reactions on social media remain mixed as well.
Many people praised action scenes, Alia’s effort, Bobby Deol’s performance, and the larger franchise connection.
But many viewers also complained about average storytelling, predictable twists, and clear franchise fatigue.
Final Verdict
After watching Alpha, I left the theatre disappointed.
This film had every possible advantage. Big stars, huge budget, a successful franchise, strong pre-release buzz, and an audience already invested in the YRF Spy Universe.
Yet despite all these strengths, the film fails at the most basic level.
The story feels weak. The screenplay lacks excitement. Emotional scenes do not connect. Twists feel predictable. The action looks polished, but without strong writing, even expensive sequences lose value.
This should have been a landmark film for the YRF Spy Universe.
Instead, it turns into a forgettable experience.
For me, Alpha is not even an average movie.
The film may attract audiences during the opening weekend because of franchise hype, and early advance booking numbers of ₹3.06 crore prove that interest was definitely there.
But long-term success will depend on word of mouth, and right now that looks uncertain.
In the end, Alpha feels like a film that looks expensive but offers very little once the excitement fades.
My Rating: 1.5/5 Stars
A disappointing spy thriller that proves stylish action cannot replace strong storytelling.
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