Retro Movie Review: A Daring Cinematic Blend Driven by Suriya’s Stellar Performance

Karthik Subbaraj’s ‘Retro’ brings a fascinating blend of action, romance, and drama, carried by an outstanding performance from Suriya. The film, which defies traditional genre boundaries, delves into a unique narrative that explores themes of love, revenge, and redemption. In this Retro movie review, we’ll dive deep into how the film balances its complex storytelling and Suriya’s stellar presence, making it a must-watch for Tamil cinema enthusiasts

Retro Movie Review: A Story Rooted in Conflict and Philosophy

Retro centres around Paari (Suriya), the adopted son of a ruthless crime lord, Thilakan (Joju George). Their strained father-son dynamic unfolds against a backdrop of betrayal, violence, and personal discovery. Paari’s journey is driven by the Buddhist philosophy of “Dhammam” — a search for inner truth and purpose — which serves as the spiritual compass of the narrative.

But this isn’t just a gangster tale. At its core, Retro is a story about healing and love. Paari’s lifelong emotional trauma—symbolised by his inability to smile—begins to shift when he reconnects with Rukmini (Pooja Hegde), a woman from his past who sparks something within him. Their romance adds an emotional dimension to the otherwise gritty and chaotic storyline, showcasing how love can catalyse personal transformation.

Retro Movie Review: Suriya Shines in a Multidimensional Role

From the very first frame, Suriya is in full command of his character. Whether he’s delivering hard-hitting action or embracing vulnerability in emotional moments, he brings a commanding screen presence. He seamlessly transforms from a fierce combatant to a tender lover, and then to a spiritually awakened soul — embodying mythological shades of Krishna, Karnan, and the Laughing Buddha, all within a single arc.

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What elevates this Retro Movie Review is how Subbaraj uses Suriya’s strengths to build a narrative that is as much a tribute to his fandom as it is a meaningful story. There’s even a subtle nod to ‘Irumbu Kai Maayavi,’ a now-defunct superhero project that fans will recognise.

Retro Movie Review: Pooja Hegde’s Breakthrough and a Strong Supporting Cast

Pooja Hegde delivers a career-defining performance as Rukmini. Her character isn’t just a love interest; she’s the emotional heartbeat of the story. Her chemistry with Suriya brings warmth to the film, especially in scenes where her compassion contrasts with Paari’s turbulent world. Joju George is perfectly cast as Thilakan, playing the morally complex crime boss with both cruelty and charisma.

Jayaram’s supporting role provides comic relief without disrupting the story’s serious tone, while Swasika and Shriya Saran (in a cameo appearance) add emotional texture to the layered narrative.

Retro Movie Review: Structurally Unique, but Slightly Overstuffed

Divided into four distinct chapters — Love, Laughter, War, and the finale — Retro takes an episodic approach that works well in parts. The first half is particularly strong, marked by a standout 15-minute single-shot action sequence that balances aesthetics with storytelling. However, the second half tends to lose focus as it attempts to juggle too many ideas at once.

The Andaman segment introduces a tribal subplot and a gladiator-style fighting pit, which, while visually interesting, slightly detaches from the central theme. Some characters, including Rukmini, feel underutilised in later parts of the film. A quirky villain also feels out of place in the otherwise emotionally grounded world.

Visually Striking and Rich in Symbolism

Visually, Retro is a treat. Cinematographer Shreyaas Krishna captures every landscape — from urban hideouts to island jungles — with flair and style. Santhosh Narayanan’s music score complements the film’s tone, adding weight to both action sequences and emotional moments.

The film is rich in metaphors, often drawing parallels with epics and spiritual teachings. Karthik Subbaraj’s admiration for mythological storytelling is evident in how characters and events are layered with deeper meanings.

Final Verdict

In conclusion, Retro is a daring and mostly successful experiment. While not without its flaws, particularly in pacing and narrative coherence, the film is anchored by Suriya’s powerhouse performance and Karthik Subbaraj’s fearless vision. It offers action, emotion, philosophy, and fan service in equal measure — a rare mix that works more often than it falters.

If you’re looking for a film that goes beyond surface-level storytelling, Retro deserves your attention. It may not be perfect, but it is undeniably bold and heartfelt.

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Watch Official Trailer of Retro Movie Here