MOVIE REVIEW: KILL

 

A train to New Delhi becomes a combat battleground as a pair of commandos faces off against an army of invading bandits.

Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Cast: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Ashish Vidyarthi, Harsh Chhaya, Tanya Maniktala

Release Date: July 5, 2024

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence throughout, grisly images and language.

Runtime: 1h 55m

Review:

Kill is an Indian import that destined to earn the kind of cult following that The Raid and Train to Busan did when they hit the states with its relentless, brutal action that makes you feel every bone crushing hit along the way.   Director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat crafts an efficient film that's gives just the most basic information about characters while being focused on using the close quarter train setting to maximum effect.  This is even more apparent once the film's title card hits, roughly 45 minutes in, serving as thematic declaration of war, making it clear that what came before was tame compared to what's coming.   The film ratchets up the brutality to another level from that point as we are given a series of increasingly creative fight sequences which are as entertaining as they are exhausting for the film’s protagonist.  Lakshya ably carries the film with an unwavering intensity as his Amrit displays an impressive ability  to wreak havoc and show authentic emotions.    Lakshya carries the film by managing a balance between his character's impressive ability to rampage through a series of bandits which keeps a portion anchored in reality.  Amrit isn't an invincible killing machine, he's beaten multiple times throughout the film, even though he has a high aptitude for violence and concussions apparently.  He manages to keep it grounded enough to make it believable even as some situations strain credibility.  Raghav Juyal serves as a perfect foil as the out of control bandit that unleashes Amrit's rampage after a haphazard decision.  Juyal's performance is devilishly demented enough to make his character incredibly easy to hate and his eventual comeuppances that the more satisficing.  Ashish Vidyarthi turns as the leader of the bandits suffers a bit to Juyal's outsized performance, but he does enough to give some nuance to his character.  Abhishek Chauhan and Tanya Maniktala are solid in smaller supporting roles as Amrit's best friend and fiancée with both doing enough with their limited screen time to leave a noticeable impression.  The film would have been wise to spend a bit more time with each as it would have added a sense of texture to the story, especially since the extended finale starts to turn into an endurance test of attrition.  A handful of judicious edits could have made Kill even better, it’s a minor quibble considering the level of artistic ultra violence splayed on screen.  

B+