Retro Movie Review: What's Good, What's Bad in Suriya-Starrer; Find Out From Viewers' Words

Suriya has collaborated with Karthik Subbaraj of Petta and Pizza fame for their latest Tamil movie Retro. Produced by Stone Bench Creations and 2D Entertainment, the film has Pooja Hegde playing the female lead.

Jayaram, Joju George, Karunakaran, Nassar, Prakash Raj, Sujith Shankar, Singampuli, Prem Kumar, Ramachandran Durairaj, Remya Suresh and others are in the cast. The film has Santhosh Narayan's music, Shreyaas Krishna's cinematography and Shafique Mohamed Ali's editing.

Retro Story

At the center of Retro is Paarivel Kannan (Suriya), the adopted son of the dreaded smuggler Tilak (Joju George). When love enters Paarivel's life in the form of Rukmini (a wonderfully poised Pooja Hegde), he yearns to leave behind the world of crime. But as with most gangland stories, the past is not so easy to shake off - especially when a mysterious entity called the "Gold Fish" becomes an obsession for Tilak, and only Paarivel holds the key to it.

What unfolds is a gritty, emotionally-charged chase filled with layered motivations, unexpected betrayals, and one man's journey toward freedom - both literal and emotional.

Retro Review

It's Suriya all the way in Retro. This is easily one of his most lovable performances since Vaaranam Aayiram. He balances swagger with vulnerability, charm with depth, and carries the film on his capable shoulders. Whether it's the explosive action sequences, the heartfelt romantic beats, or the cleverly choreographed set pieces, he's in top form.

Pooja Hegde deserves praise too - her Rukmini isn't just a romantic interest, but a well-written, grounded character who brings emotional clarity to the chaos. Joju George is fantastic as Tilak - intense, unpredictable, and ruthless.

Karthik Subbaraj's Signature Style

There's no denying that Retro boasts Karthik Subbaraj's signature flair - high-concept storytelling, eclectic characters, and a strong visual language. The first half is easily among his best since Petta - crisp, exciting, and full of surprises. A special shoutout to the "Love Chapter" - a brilliantly staged sequence that blends dance, emotion, and action in one of the most stylish passages in recent Tamil cinema.

However, the second half meanders, with the screenplay taking a few too many detours. While the climax does pull things back with a punch, a tighter narrative in the latter portions could've elevated the film further.

Technical Brilliance

Cinematographer Shreyaas Krishna is a revelation - his frames are moody, vivid, and immersive, perfectly complementing the retro-noir vibe of the film. Editor Shafique Mohamed Ali keeps things mostly snappy, and Santhosh Narayanan's music is a sonic treat. The score pulsates with energy, while the songs linger long after the credits roll.

What Netizens Say About Retro? Find Out

Rajasekar: Liked it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, kudos @karthiksubbaraj for once again voicing out the enslaved voiceless ethnicities that were ruled by dictators across the globe. How brilliantly he conveyed this noble theme in a love action drama genre is impeccable. After Jigarthanda XX , this one also stands tall in Karthik's filmography.

And @Suriya_offl, he lived the role as Paari Vel/ Jada Muni. The swag he carries, the intense performance he exhibits. What an actor, he should only do such roles. The way he expressed pain, love, and anger through his eyes is truly commendable and award worthy!
The importance of love, the importance of love that's what @hegdepooja's character is all about and she flawlessly done her part throughout the film.
#JojuGeorge was excellent but Vidhu has stolen the show.
It's a sad state that filmmakers like Karthik Subbaraj had to convey the pain of the enslaved subtly or in an imaginary world due to practical difficulties

#Retro first half- Classy, mass and brand @karthiksubbaraj put in display 👍👍 It's too good to see @Suriya_offl exhibits the vintage classy performance in the film and #KarthikSubbaraj has maintained the mass image of the actor throughout without affecting the core plot and genre of the film, which deserves an applause 👏👏. This is the #Suriya we all loved and glad he is back 🔥. His childhood train fight(loved how Karthik included the grown up Suriya in animation), the #Kanimaa song and the single shot action episode make you completely sold in the film.
@hegdepooja is a big plus in the film, she is the lifeline of Paari and Retro as her character is the driving factor of the film. Probably, her best performance ever!
@Music_Santhosh breathes fire with his background score.
The film has three chapters - Love, Laughter and War
👍👍👍👍 🔥💥 for Love 👍 for Laughter
Waiting for the WAR in the second half

Siddarth:#Retro (3.25/5) - Pretty fair watch with some standout moments. Great first half, superb aesthetics, a wonderful Suriya, only for the second half to go around in different directions. I liked Karthik Subbaraj's idea to have an all new perspective for a story of a 'hero' but it could have had more of an interesting screenplay in the latter portions. The climax is a savior though.

#Suriya delivers one of his most lovable performances in recent times, there are a lot of scenes which bring back the old star of Vaaranam Aayiram times. Loved Pooja Hegde's performance as well, a very matured and well written one. Joju George was excellent as the angry daddy.

Technically strong for sure - Shreyaas Krishna and his entire team have rocked and SaNa's music and songs are a big plus.

On the whole, Retro comes out as an experimental star film from Karthik Subbaraj, with Suriya giving it his 100 percent. Particularly enjoyed the 'Love' chapter of the film!

Sreedhar Pillai: A Stylish gangster drama and mass entertainer from @karthiksubbaraj with his signature touch.
It is superbly executed by @Suriya_offl as the unsmiling one-man fighting machine who falls in love with a girl, a fantastic @hegdepooja, who hates violence!
First half is terrific as the story unfolds with #JojuGeorge shining, 2nd half the pace drops as the story moves into an island with a new set of bad guys and an emotional ending.
#SantoshNarayan's music is a major plus along with action scenes. #Suriya is back with a bang!
#Kanimaa song in #Retro is a total theatrical experience!
The 15-minute single shot has everything in it : a peppy foot tapping number from #Sana, romance, action & emotions shot in a wedding hall from ground floor to the terrace.
Suriya & #PoojaHegde are simply fantastic!

Sridevi Sreedhar: #Retro 3.5/5 Lives upto the hype 🙌 It has the @karthiksubbaraj touch throughout and the first half is excellent with character establishment, emotion, romance and action. Second half turns into a fantasy drama with the hero turns saviour to a deprived group of slaves who are exploited by a father & son in an island. The film belongs to @Suriya_offl who is terrific along with a brilliant @hegdepooja sans any glamour. #JojuGeorge has good screen space but it's #Vidhu as the baddie who scores. @Music_Santhosh #Kanimaa song and bgm in fight scenes were apt. On the whole, an energetic, mass entertainer which will definitely satisfy everyone 👍 and please remember the importance of smile 😊 in your lives 😁😁

AmuthaBharathi: #Retro [#ABRatings - 3.5/5]

- Good First half followed by an comparatively underwhelming second half
- #Suriya delivered his best & showcased how we wished to see him onscreen🫶
- 15 Mins Single shot, Interval block, JoJuGeorge - Suriya portion in 2nd half, Post Climax are the Highlights 🔥
- Karthiksubbaraj could have shortened the long action blocks !!
- Perfect Songs & BGM from SaNa🥁
- PoojaHegde & Joju character arc were good🌟

Overall a good theatrical watch 👌

Rathna kumar: #RETRO ♥️♥️

Just watched #Retro - what an experience! One mirror shot by #THEONE is enough to show how Parisuthamaana performer
@Suriya_offl sir is. He breathes fire for every emotion on screen.🔥
Always a fan of your Unconventional story telling, Your conviction and brillaint Craftmanship @karthiksubbaraj bro. RETRO is another classy film with a global theme 🤙👍. This film deserves to come as a comic book as well. Consider pannunga 🙂
@Music_Santhosh sir music flows like a Cresecendo for every emotion amplifying every frame!! You are the Second Hero for the film sir. So happy to see Theater screaming seeing you on screen as well. 🥳🥳
Vidhu as Michael Mirasu pulled off of a Tough character with lot of Meat 💪.
Loved the visuals, cuts, stunts and production design.
#Retro is a Brutal rollercoaster that is Visually poetic.
How often you witness a bunch of smiling faces on screen but you're moved by tears seeing it. That is Kartik Subbaraj Padam/Subam for you.
Go watch it. 👍👍

Haricharan Pudipeddi: #Retro - 3.5 stars. A moving story about a gangster's search for his true purpose in life. Terrific first half with a lot of focus on character establishment and perfectly settling up the key conflict. Second half takes a complete detour and touches upon an entirely different sub-plot and this is where the film fumbles a bit but as is the norm with most KaSu's stories, it ends on a super emotional high. The film's biggest achievement has to be giving us a glimpse of the performer #Suriya we've been yearning to see on the big screen.
Lovely tribute/references to Irumbukai character throughout the first half of #Retro. A fictional superhero character that #Suriya will eventually play in the future.
#Retro at interval. Beautiful. Deeply emotional story of redemption. After a long time, a filmmaker has really extracted the best - the performer side of
@Suriya_offl and uses to full potential. Superbly staged with the right emotional beats and ample action. Single take #Kanimaa portion is beautifully shot, offering such a unique experience. Another great example of how @karthiksubbaraj loves to build a world with such interesting characters.

hari: #Retro - Another Subbaraj film that is all over the place and never really connects with the audience. I can literally imagine him saying "Absolute Cinema" after writing this in his room.

Jai:@Surya_jaya12 @karthiksubbaraj u beauty. My subbu has delivered a beautiful drama in recent times. In my point of view it is filled with simple emotions that has great depth. It's a drama based action film. @Suriya_offl is like redbull onscreen 🔥.My boys have made a master piece
#Retro

Prashanth Rangaswamy:#Retro - most satisfying movie of @Suriya_offl Annan for me after soorarai potru !
A wholesome entertainer with a deep message !
The stunt sequences and its variety - hats off to the stunt team! Not easy at all !
#Retro interval - best ever characterisation of
@Suriya_offl Annan in a decade . The continuous shot - such a feast .
@hegdepooja what a role ! What a performance ! Chemistry has worked out big time !
Thalaivar @Music_Santhosh - koluthi vittu irukaar !
Completely satisfied so far !

Cinemapayyan: An action film that boasts of a real action hero !

@karthiksubbaraj manages to justify the usually taken for granted liberty route with detail driven screenplay 🔥💥
Such a layered character #Paari is 🥹

The single take sequence in the first half is bible for filmmaking 🔥
Not a lot of directors can pull off the mainstream commercial cinema with such finesse and class !

Take a bow @karthiksubbaraj 💥💥💥 @Suriya_offl flows like a stream ❤️
Paari's sooora max war for love 💥💥💥

Inime dhaan sirappaana tharamaana Sambavam 🔥🔥🔥🔥

ABHILASH THANKAMANI: #Retro first half:-

An out n out @Suriya_offl show 🔥... A class, commercial cinema after a decade from the man....Fun, action, romance checking all boxes so far, supported by a stellar cast