Retro Movie Reviews

Karthik Subbaraj’s Retro, starring Suriya, has received a mixed response from critics. While most reviewers praise Suriya’s charismatic and committed performance, they also consistently point out the film’s structural and tonal inconsistencies. Critics highlight the film’s ambitious genre mashup—combining romance, gangster drama, and social commentary—but feel it lacks cohesion. The screenplay is often described as overstuffed and unfocused, especially in the second half, where it loses momentum and emotional impact. The technical aspects, including music by Santhosh Narayanan and the stylized visuals, receive appreciation, but many feel these are not enough to counterbalance the shaky narrative execution.

Verdict:

Retro is a stylistically bold yet uneven film that tries to juggle too many ideas at once. Suriya’s strong performance anchors it, but the film ultimately struggles to balance its creative ambition with narrative clarity.