Thug Life Movie Review: What's Good, What's Bad In Kamal Haasan's Film? Find Out

Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, the duo that had delivered the classic Nayagan, have reunited after 38 years. Again, for a gangster film.

Not just Kamal Haasan, the Tamil movie has Silambarasan aka Simbu, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Rohit Saraf and Baburaj are part of the cast.

Mani Ratnam's favourite and two-time Oscar Award winning musician has composed the music. The movie has Ravi K Chandran's cinematography and A Sreekar Prasad's editing.

The story of Thug Life revolves around mafia kingpin Sakthivel and his brother Manickam. Sakthivel rescues Amaran during a violent police shootout and raises like his own son. A decade later, there is an assasination attempt on Sakthivel. Who is behind this? All hell breaks loose as the suspicion turns inward. What follows next should be watched on-screen.

Thug Life Review

Despite an intriguing initial setup, Thug Life quickly loses its way. The first half offers some watchable moments thanks to its setup and a few compelling sequences, but the second half is disappointingly dull, predictable, and painfully slow. Mani Ratnam's direction shows flashes of brilliance early on but ultimately fails to sustain momentum. Emotional beats lack depth, and the overall narrative feels undercooked.

AR Rahman's music is surprisingly underwhelming, often feeling out of sync with the narrative and failing to enhance key moments.

On the acting front, Kamal Haasan delivers as expected with his screen presence, while Simbu shows promise but is ultimately let down by limited writing. Trisha's role is particularly underwritten, adding little to the story.

Visually, the film shines thanks to Ravi K Chandran's cinematography and top-notch production values. However, these technical strengths can't salvage what is essentially a disappointing effort from a celebrated team.

Will it live up to the viewers' expectations? Find out from the viewers' words:

Venky Reviews: Thug Life A Boring Gangster Drama that had some intrigue in the initial set up but falls off completely after that!

The first half is at-least somewhat watchable due to a few interesting portions and the set up. However, the second half is a complete dud from start to finish. Mani Ratnam showed a little spark in how he started this story but the narration is painfully slow and way too predictable. The emotions don't really workout either.

AR Rahman's music is a huge drawback and out of sync.

The performances and casting are apt. Kamal Hassan stands out as expected. Simbu does well but his scope feels limited due to the writing. Trisha's role is a waste and feels useless.

The film has few intriguing portions in the first half, good production values, and standout cinematography. Apart from this, there is nothing worth remembering. Disappointing!

Thug Life Average 1st Half!

The drama works at times so far especially in the initial portions. The plot-line has some intrigue which keeps proceedings partly engaging. However, the predictability and slow pace tempo of the film hampers this drama . Music is good in a few portions but ineffective for the most part.

Abin Babu 🦇: #Thuglife - BELOW AVERAGE ONE😑

Finally Mani Thatha Also Back Stabbed. An Average First Half With a Good for nothing Second Half. Totally Execution of Old Wine in The Old Pot 🙏🏻😓
Never Expected Such A Disappointment!!

TOTALLY : ONE TIME WATCHABLE 2/5⭐

Dh: #ThugLife

Mani Ratnam's making still holds class, & Rahman's music is solid. Performance from Kamal, STR, Abhirami,Trisha, Joju & others are top-notch. But the story is predictable & flat screenplay. Zero engaging moments throughout.

Massive expectations... TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT

Satheesh Rajaram: #ThugLife started off with interesting first 30 mins but falters spectacularly after that. It is most ordinary betrayal and revenge drama. A big let down from legendary combo of KH, MR and ARR. Only person who was at top of his game was Ravi K Chandran!

The Flicks: #ThugLife had potential but turns into a drag. Kamal acted well, but his nonstop dialogues get tiring. Simbu did his role neatly, but even that couldn't save the flat, slow-paced second half. No Mani Ratnam spark.

Below average 👍

#ThugLife #KamalHaasan #ThugLifeFDFS

Prince Prithvi: #ThugLife ~ Turd Life 💩 Predictable gangster saga by Mani Ratnam with an Outdated story by Kamal Haasan & an Ineffective score by ARR. What works is the good De-aging work in the beginning, and the rest is big blunder.🥱👎 (1☆/5)

S: No emotions, no proper writing for revenge and betray setup, only music and 2 actions blocks were good #ThugLife

Thanish Sulthan: First half was a slow burn...
Trisha & Kamal Sir scene got those 😒 vibes
Then Kamal Sir + STR scenes dropped that 💪 energy
STR's business build-up hit hard
Interval #STR peak? Absolute 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Whole theatre just exploded!

#Thuglife

Waiting for second half ...

Let's X OTT GLOBAL: #ThugLife 's Climax Will be Very Emotional - Get Ready With Tissue papers !
In #ThugLife - Instead of a love angle, Trisha takes on a distinctive bar dancer role & Not involved in the love plot 😄 that leaves a big mark on the movie .

Sugar Baby... Oh Sugar Baby ...
In #ThugLife , There's a PEAK Action Sequence is there Before Interval - Can See An Aggressive #SilambarasanTR in that Portion , First Half is Completely Fast paced, no Dropping Off . 1st Half a Complete DOMINATION of S- T- R 🔥🔥

Fastern your Seat Belt !!!!
BLOCKBUSTER 🏆🏆🏆🏆#ThugLife
2nd Half Will be a PEAK Cinematic Experience #ThugLife INTERVAL BLOCK is " Inimey inga nan dhan rangaraya sakthivel "📈 -WHOLE THEATRE GONNA ERUPT & Will be one of the Best Film of Mani- #SilambarasanTR Show Stealer🔥& Unmatchable KH.

BLOCKBUSTER 🏆🏆🏆🏆

Hisham:#Thuglife first half - some Manirathnam
moments here and there along with a terrific Kamal Hassan. The turn around is not so very convincing, blame the screen play. Average so far.

Suraj kumar: #ThugLife - First Half - A slow-paced and very predictable gangster drama so far but the pre-interval sequence promises a very intriguing & interesting second half.

Dharshagan: #ThugLife first half - slow and steady... doesn't means that boring, it will keep you engaged... extraordinary interval block... #KamalHaasan𓃵 #STR

Gulte:#ThugLife - First Half - A slow-paced and very predictable gangster drama so far but the pre-interval sequence promises a very intriguing & interesting second half.

Kamal Haasan as Rangaraaya Sakthivel is brilliant with his performance as usual. He made the routine proceedings watchable so far. A big second half with an interesting second half is 'Much Needed' now.

Cinephile Rams: #ThugLife first half:

Very average 🙂

#KamalHassan #SilambarasanTR

Umair Sandhu: First Review #Thuglife ! It's a Cult Classic Thriller with terrific performances by #KamalHaasan & #STR. Power Packed Story & Action Stunts. #ARRehman & #ManiRatnam Deadly combo is Back with Bang !! Go for it !
#KamalHaasan is MINDBLOWING in #ThugLife ! What a deadly performance specially in Climax ! 💥
3.5⭐️/5⭐️

KAMALA___KANNAN: #Thuglife :- Inside Report 🔥 🔥

First Half: PURE ADRENALINE! Mani Ratnam's genius kicks off with a BANG-stunning visuals, raw energy, and Kamal Haasan owning every frame like a BOSS. 🔥

The plot grips you tight, with slick action and dialogues that hit like bullets. Music? AR Rahman's score is a straight-up VIBE! #Mass 💢 😡

Second Half: Levels UP! The intensity doubles, emotions run deep, and the twists? 💉

MIND-BLOWN! Kamal's performance is Oscar-worthy, and the ensemble cast (shoutout to the whole crew!) delivers big time. Climax is a rollercoaster-tears, cheers, and goosebumps guaranteed! #ThugLifeRules
This ain't just a movie, it's a CULTURAL RESET! Run, don't walk, to the theaters! #ThugLife #ManiRatnam #KamalHaasan #Blockbuster #SilambarasanTR #Ashokselvan #Thuglifefromtomorrow