Review of Kingdom (2025): Vijay Deverakonda’s Strong Performance, Stunning Images, and Weak Second Half

Vijay Deverakonda excels in the grand action drama Kingdom (2025), but the film falters in the second half.
Review of Kingdom (2025) was one of the year’s most anticipated films, and South Indian cinema has produced some of the most amazing action dramas in recent years. This massively ambitious film, which starred Vijay Deverakonda, was released on theaters on July 31, 2025. Expectations were extremely high because of the powerful teasers, the chic trailer, the exciting soundtrack, and the talented cast. Does Kingdom live up to the hype, then? Let’s take a closer look at each of the film’s elements.

Storyline: A Conflict Between Humanity and Honor

In Kingdom, a man overcomes all odds to defend his people, his honor, and his land from a violent and corrupt system. The conflict between forces seeking power and a person who defends humanity is depicted in the movie.
The film has a compelling first half. It effectively introduces the characters and establishes an emotional bond with the viewer. When the hero’s past is revealed, there are some incredibly moving scenes that make you want to support him.

But the cracks start to show in the second half. The emotional graph dips, the screenplay becomes cliched, and a few scenes seem overdone. Although the creators obviously wanted it to be epic, a more focused storyline might have been much more effective.

Performances: The Best of Vijay Deverakonda’s Career

Vijay Deverakonda’s incredible performance is without a doubt Kingdom’s high point. Vijay bears the weight of the entire movie, from heart-wrenching fight scenes to profound emotional collapses. You can’t take your eyes off him when he’s on screen because of his captivating presence.
Although the female lead and the rest of the supporting cast contribute to the plot, none of them can match Vijay’s command of the screen. Every frame demonstrates his commitment to the role and his physical transformation.

Screenplay and Direction: A Big Idea with Inconsistent Execution

From the first frame, it is clear that the director intended to create a large-scale action drama. Beautiful landscapes, dramatic battlegrounds, and intricate set designs are all captured by the amazing cinematography.
The screenplay struggles with pace as the movie moves into the second half, but the first half is gripping and captivating. Some scenes derail the plot rather than advance it, and poignant moments that ought to have had a greater impact fall flat.
At times, the story seems less original because it seems to have been influenced by movies like Pushpa and KGF.

Technical Mastery and Music

The background score and music by Anirudh Ravichander are simply amazing. The film’s emotional moments, fight scenes, and sense of scale are all elevated by the film’s powerful soundtrack.
The grandiosity is enhanced by the action choreography’s elegant execution, which features slow-motion shots and sophisticated visual effects. High production values and a rarely seen cinematic richness are added by the size of the sets.

What Is Effective?
Vijay Deverakonda’s dominant performance

VFX, production design, and stunning cinematography

The energetic yet soulful background score by Anirudh

An interesting and strong first half that captures the audience’s attention

Where Does It Stop Short?
Slow pacing and poor writing in the second half

Too long; some parts could have been cut

Absence of creativity—some passages seem cliched

Box Office and Audience Reaction

On the first day of its release, fans flooded social media with their reactions. Since the morning, the hashtag #KingdomBlockbuster has been in the news. Vijay Deverakonda’s action scenes and the spectacular visuals especially wow the audience.
Nonetheless, it is evident from early reviews that, although the first half is excellent, the second half lacks the same intensity.

Final Thought: A Star-Turning Visual Extravaganza
Ultimately, Kingdom is a movie you should see for its scope, aesthetic, and Vijay Deverakonda’s outstanding performance. Fans of large-scale action dramas with excellent production value and powerful music will love it.
However, Kingdom might seem like a lost chance to viewers who value unique storytelling and emotional nuance.

Three out of five stars
(Excellent acting and visuals; mediocre plot and execution)