‘Kill’ (2024) Movie Review - Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s Action Thriller Has a Thrilling, Violent Force

There is a scene in Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's Kill where a young boy, in awe of two army soldiers, mentions that he, too, always wanted to join the Indian Army but couldn't do so due to a clash between Mother India and his own mother. Look at this young boy and then notice his mother; you will sense that the latter is aware of his son's strengths and weaknesses. Or maybe I am placing my notions on this moment. The reason behind this interpretation could very well be related to my thoughts regarding the physical appearance of this youngster: He has the mental drive but lacks the muscular power. Throughout its 105 minutes, Kill demonstrates that not everybody can be a part of the Indian Armed Forces. Its hero, an army commando named Amrit (Lakshya), takes several beatings and dispatches many evil men. It's a feat no ordinary man can accomplish. In other words, not everyone can be either an action hero or an army soldier. This might as well be Kill's way of dispensing that warning about not trying these stunts at home - they are executed by professionals (we, the average audience members, are not professionals).

If not everybody can be an action hero, not everyone is capable of directing an action thriller. Many people have compared Kill with the John Wick franchise, and I think this is a bad comparison. Kill is superior to the John Wick films - it's thrilling even when no one is being brutally murdered. The John Wick movies are good as long as the bad guys are dispatched by the Keanu Reeves character (even this routine, after a while, feels dull). When the violence temporarily comes to a halt, and the characters open their mouths to talk, John Wick becomes a slog. The self-serious tone is a big turn-off. Kill, thankfully, sustains its momentum from the beginning to the end. It doesn't let you relax, and the 105-minute runtime ensures you do not come out of the theater tired.

Much has been said about Kill's violence. You go into the theater with all that hype in your head, and the pre-interval portions leave you wondering what's so special. The fight scenes are vigorously shot. The crunching of bones has a jolting effect, but the struggles look expertly choreographed, not memorable. Not a single (violent) image stays with you, except for that dispatch that gives Amrit the forceful motivation to wipe out the robbers. The moment sticks with you because of its emotional significance. Post-interval, however, you understand why the early reviews were displaying so much excitement. The kills become more brutal and imaginative, leading to that scene where a head is put on fire. Still, more than brutality, what interests you is the Kill's decision to provide an identity to the characters who are eliminated. The corpses turn out to be someone's uncle or brother, which further stokes the flames of revenge.

The major catalyst is none other than Fani (Raghav Juyal). He, through his words, not only pushes people towards bloodshed but also scans listeners with his eyes as if measuring the influence of his words on them. The actors effectively get into the skin of their thin characters: Lakshya emanates sincerity and goodness, Tanya Maniktala's big eyes make her look innocent, and Juyal relishes playing a mad villain. Everybody is an archetype - the writing isn't complex. Nikhil Nagesh Bhat goes for simplicity to focus more on action. Movies like Brahmāstra and Kalki 2898 AD leave you wondering why so much money was spent on VFX, not writers. Kill leaves you wondering why so much thought was given only to the fights - why not offer similar attention to the script? Fani is your typical main villain who, by refusing to kill the hero at the right moment, makes dumb decisions (instead of taking the commando's life, he asks his name). His motivations for blackmail soon become feeble, yet he sticks to them so the movie can remain in motion. Amrit and Tulika's (Maniktala) romance gives rise to unnecessary mushiness, which Kill uses to make us root for Amrit and fill us with hatred towards the criminals. We even have a best friend character (Abhishek Chauhan) whose job is to support his friend. These clichés, however, are enlivened by the performances. Everyone is incredibly dedicated.

The film's title appears during the interval. The decision makes sense, considering Amrit, post-interval, is charged with a single aim: To 'kill' his enemies on the train. The movie never becomes an utterly grim affair. Humor is supplied mainly through Fani's presence. He gets the best lines, the best moments. Lakshya is the hero of this film, but Juyal leaves a stronger impression. Kill will be remembered for its violence as well as Juyal's character.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Vikas Yadav
Follow @vikasonorous on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times