Movie Name : Kingston
Release Date : March 07, 2025
Cast : G. V. Prakash Kumar, Divyabharathi, Azhagam Perumal, Chetan, Elango Kumaravel, Antony, Ram Nishanth, Rajesh Balachandiran, Sabumon Abdusamad etc.
Director : Kamal Prakash
Music Director : G. V. Prakash Kumar
Andhrawatch.com Rating : 2.25/5
Story:
Story takes us back to 1982, when Thoovathur, a coastal village in Tamil Nadu, was put under a curse so that its inhabitants would never dare to go into the sea for fishing. The curse still pervades the village decades later, keeping people away from the waters.
Kingston (G.V. Prakash Kumar), “King” for short, works for Thomas (Sabumon Abdusamad), a well-known smuggler based in Thoothukudi in today’s times. But when Kingston finds out about the reality behind Thomas’ illegal operations, he chooses to exit. Rather than going ahead on the smuggling track, he makes a courageous move—to go back to his damned village and test the age-old myth by setting sail into the forbidden sea.
Will Kingston succeed in lifting the curse? What secrets lie below the ocean waves? On this dangerous odyssey, horrifying revelations start to emerge, culminating in a suspenseful and heart-pounding battle with the unknown.
Review:
GV Prakash blends into his tough character effortlessly, and his appearance and demeanor suit the character to the T. Even though the character does not need much emotional content, he gives a good performance. Divyabharathi is barely there with a mere presence in some filler scenes during the first half. While her role has an interesting arc, it remains underutilized in the latter half, leaving little impact.
The supporting cast, including the hero’s friends, gets decent screen time but lacks standout moments to elevate the drama. Their roles feel generic and fail to add significant weight to the storyline. Chetan, Azhagam Perumal, and Elango Kumaravel contribute to the plot, but their characters lack strong development, making their presence feel underwhelming.
Kingston starts off on an interesting premise that can generate interest among people, especially the ones who are fond of creative ideas. The second half boasts some decent sea-based action and a couple of exciting scenes which are able to impress. Still, the film falters because of subpar execution and an uneven story.
One of the biggest disadvantages is the slow pace, bogged down by extraneous scenes that make the narration seem monotonous. The constant flashbacks break the continuity, and the audience finds it hard to keep up with the central plot.
The first half is devoid of interesting moments, putting the audience’s patience to test until the interval. Casting choices also feel off, as some actors do not fit their roles convincingly, and Divyabharathi’s character remains underdeveloped. The visual effects are another weak point, with low-quality CGI that diminishes the overall cinematic experience. Production values are below average, and even on a technical level, the film fails to leave an impression. Although GV Prakash’s background music supplies intensity in certain scenes, the music overall is nothing special.
Director Kamal Prakash tries to infuse something new with his first movie, but the script is shallow and cannot hold viewers’ interest. Although there are some thrilling moments, the entire presentation is wanting.
Ultimately, Kingston provides just a few thrills as a sea adventure thriller. GV Prakash gives an honest performance, but the poor screenplay, languid narrative, and too much filler scenes turn it into a disappointing and forgettable watch.