After months of anticipation, Alpha, the latest chapter in the YRF Spy Universe, has finally hit theatres, generating a flood of reactions across social media. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the espionage thriller stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor in pivotal roles. While audiences have appreciated the film’s action sequences and performances by its leading women, many viewers believe the screenplay relies too heavily on familiar spy-thriller tropes, resulting in mixed first-day reviews.
The film has quickly become one of the most discussed releases online, with reactions ranging from praise for its performances to criticism of its storytelling. However, one aspect that has received almost unanimous appreciation is Hrithik Roshan’s special appearance, which many fans have described as one of the film’s biggest highlights.
Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Receive Appreciation
A significant section of viewers praised the performances of Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, highlighting their on-screen chemistry and commanding presence during action sequences.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote that the film feels most engaging whenever the two actresses share the screen, adding that it is refreshing to see women leading a mainstream action thriller. However, the reviewer also noted that the film ultimately remains a conventional spy drama that doesn’t attempt to move beyond familiar territory.
Another viewer rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as a decent watch that tries to offer something different before eventually settling into the standard YRF Spy Universe formula. The reviewer praised both Alia and Sharvari for carrying the film but felt that predictable writing prevented it from reaching its full potential.
Sharvari also earned praise individually, with several users appreciating her screen presence despite what they described as a relatively restrained role. Bobby Deol’s performance and Anil Kapoor’s supporting role also received positive mentions from some viewers.
Screenplay Emerges as the Biggest Criticism
Despite appreciation for the performances, many viewers criticised the screenplay, calling it repetitive and overly dependent on familiar themes such as family conflict, betrayal, and India-Pakistan tensions.
Several social media users remarked that the franchise appears reluctant to explore fresh storytelling ideas, choosing instead to repeat formulas seen in earlier entries of the YRF Spy Universe.
Some viewers also felt that Alia Bhatt looked less convincing in physically demanding action scenes, suggesting that the film struggled to establish her character as a believable spy.
Comparisons with ‘Dhurandhar’ Dominate Online Discussions
Following the release, many users began comparing Alpha with Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, with several claiming that the latter set a higher benchmark for contemporary spy thrillers.
One viewer described Alpha as the “opposite of Dhurandhar,” questioning several plot developments and calling portions of the narrative unconvincing.
Another user commented that Dhurandhar made extraordinary situations appear believable, whereas Alpha struggled to make even relatively grounded sequences feel authentic. Several posts even referred to the film as a “reverse Dhurandhar,” suggesting that it failed to meet expectations created by recent action thrillers.
Rather than discussing the visuals, many users questioned the relevance of the sequence in a spy thriller. Some joked that the scene resembled a detergent commercial, while others remarked that such moments have become a predictable feature of YRF’s spy films.
Several users also compared the film with previous entries in the franchise, arguing that the series continues to rely on familiar commercial elements without introducing enough innovation.
Audience Split Over Overall Experience
While some viewers appreciated the film’s slick visuals, action choreography, and performances, others felt the narrative lacked originality. A few reviewers suggested that the storyline appeared to borrow concepts from multiple Hollywood productions without offering a distinctive interpretation.
Others, however, maintained that the film remained engaging due to its fast pacing and tight editing, even if its overall story felt familiar.
As audience reactions continue to pour in, Alpha has emerged as one of the most debated releases of the year. Whether the divided online response affects its long-term box office performance will become clearer over the coming days.
