Coolie Review: A Template Revenge Thriller with Too Many Detours
As a fan of spectacle films, I was excited to dive into Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Coolie’, starring Rajinikanth, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj. With an impressive ensemble cast and directorial skills that have wowed audiences in the past, expectations were high for this 2025 release. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that ‘Coolie’ falls short of meeting its lofty promises.
One of the main issues with ‘Coolie’ is its overstuffing of ideas. The film attempts to be a revenge thriller, but soon turns into a story about a common man exposing a crime syndicate. This transition doesn’t quite work, leaving the viewer with a sense of disjointedness that detracts from the overall impact of the film. This foundation supports additional insights.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth’s performance remains strong despite the weak story surrounding him. His charisma and screen presence are undeniable, even in scenes where he’s forced to navigate multiple plot threads. However, it’s clear that the script has done little to utilize his talents fully, instead jumping between different characters without much cohesion.
Technically, ‘Coolie’ is a solid effort. The cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and music by Anirudh Ravichander are top-notch, with a pulsating soundtrack that perfectly complements the on-screen action. However, it’s these technical aspects that serve as a reminder of what could have been if only the script had been better.
Furthermore, the supporting cast is wasted in underdeveloped subplots. Soubin Shahir, for example, has an interesting arc, but it feels like a missed opportunity to fully utilize his talent. Meanwhile, Nagarjuna’s one-note performance as Simon leaves little room for impact beyond his charisma alone. This foundation supports additional insights.
What ‘Coolie’ lacks most is a clear direction or narrative thread. With so many different characters and plot threads at play, it’s hard to become invested in any of them individually. This disjointed storytelling makes the film feel like a series of loosely connected vignettes rather than a cohesive whole.
while Rajinikanth shines in ‘Coolie’, the film as a whole is let down by its overstuffing of ideas and weak narrative direction. Despite some standout performances from the supporting cast, it’s clear that this template revenge thriller doesn’t quite deliver on its promise.