‘Alpha’ review: Brawn beats brain in rote action thriller

“Alpha,” the latest installment in the YRF Spy Universe franchise, made its theatrical debut on July 3, 2026, marking a significant shift in the series' direction with its focus on female-led storytelling. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the son of veteran filmmaker Rahul Rawail, the film features Alia Bhatt as the lead protagonist, Sita, a character shaped by a traumatic past and a mysterious serum known as Alpha. The narrative begins with Sita being kidnapped as an infant and subjected to experimental treatments by a rogue Army officer named Fateh, played by Bobby Deol. Fateh, along with scientist Verghese, aims to create a new breed of super-soldiers capable of rapid regeneration and resilience. However, Sita, now grown, seeks revenge against the man she views as her foster father.

The storyline sees Sita forming an alliance with Durga, portrayed by Sharvari, and Vikram, a spy chief played by Anil Kapoor, to dismantle Fateh’s operations. The film also brings back Kabir, played by Hrithik Roshan, from the earlier “War” series, where he had previously aided the protagonists. Kabir, now living a contemplative life in a monastery, finds himself drawn into the fray once again, offering support to the group. The film’s script, penned by Uday Chopra, Sridhar Raghavan, and Soumil Shukla, attempts to inject some twists into what is otherwise a formulaic narrative, though critics have noted that the overall structure remains repetitive and lacks depth.

The release of “Alpha” was met with considerable anticipation, particularly due to its emphasis on female empowerment within the action genre. Fans and critics alike highlighted the performances of Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, whose rigorous training included mastering ten different martial arts styles and handling weapons. Their combat sequences were lauded for their intensity and grace, despite the film’s drab visual palette dominated by muted tones of grey, green, and brown. The emotional dynamics between Sita and Durga, as well as the supporting cast, were noted as standout elements, with particular praise reserved for the chemistry between the lead actresses.

Reactions from the public and celebrities were largely positive, with notable mentions of the film’s soundtrack and the impact of Anil Kapoor’s seasoned screen presence. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Alia Bhatt’s sister-in-law, expressed her support for the film and its cast. Additionally, director Siddharth Anand commended Shiv Rawail’s potential, drawing parallels to his father, Rahul Rawail, whom he had worked with early in his career. The film received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), allowing entry for audiences aged 16 and above, and has a runtime of 140 minutes.

While “Alpha” has been hailed as a step forward for the YRF Spy Universe, it faces criticism for its lack of originality and underdeveloped characters. Despite these shortcomings, the film presents itself as a promising addition to the franchise, setting the stage for future installments featuring the “girls” alongside Kabir, Pathan, and Tiger. As the franchise continues to evolve, the success of “Alpha” will likely influence the trajectory of upcoming projects, potentially introducing more nuanced narratives and deeper character exploration.