Coolie (2025) Review - Rajnikant's Powerpack Return With Big Starcast and Lokesh Magic, No Spoiler
🎬 Intro:
Coolie was released a day before Independence Day, featuring a big star cast driven by Rajnikant's star power and Lokesh Kanagaraj's direction, with the music magic of Anirudh. It got mixed responses from the audience. Here is my spoiler-free take on this.
🎬 Overview:
"Coolie" is a box office success and a treat for Thalaivar fans, but some fans of Lokesh don't like it very much. Maybe it's because of the high standards set by Lokesh Kangaraj with his previous movies (VIKRAM, KAITHI, LEO, MASTER), and some expected that Coolie would be connected with LCU, but Lokesh clearly denies these claims. I also think that this is the least-rated work of Lokesh Kanagaraj, but that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. Coolie is full of mass appeal with Rajnikanth's aura, and Nagarjun as the villain looks stunning with multiple cameos and Anirudh's soulful music—it's a treat to watch in theatres. In theaters, people really enjoyed the movie. Basically if you are a Rajni fan, then you will enjoy it in the theatres.
🕵️♂️ Plot Summary (No Major Spoilers):
The movie begins with a scene at the port, where coolies work under Dayal (Soubin), who manages Simon's (Nagarjuna) smuggling business. In the next scene at Mention Deva (played by Rajnikant) gets introduced, the owner of a majestic mansion. Deva learns about the death of his old friend Rajsekhar and soon discovers that his friend was murdered. In search of answers, he visits Rajsekhar's daughter for help in finding the killer. During this visit, Deva learns that Rajsekhar was working for Simon, which leads him closer to uncovering the truth. To find out what is going on at the port and how his friend was murdered, Deva started working for Simon and the quest continues. The film features engaging background music and action sequences, along with several interesting cameos. There is also a flashback that reveals crucial details about Deva's past, which changes the entire narrative of the movie, and Dayal's character is very interesting in this movie.
🌟 What Makes It Special?
1. Based on Real Events
The film’s realism comes from its roots in actual history. Bong Joon-ho doesn’t exploit the tragedy—he humanizes it.
2. Unconventional Crime Drama
Unlike Hollywood-style whodunits, this film doesn’t offer easy answers. It focuses more on human failure, societal breakdown, and psychological tension.
3. Stunning Cinematography
From fog-drenched rice fields to claustrophobic police stations, the visuals are hauntingly poetic.
4. Powerful Performances
Song Kang-ho, who plays Detective Park, delivers a masterclass in acting—raw, confused, and utterly human.
🧠 Symbolism & Themes:
Frustration of the powerless system
The moral ambiguity of justice
The failure of truth in the face of chaos
The final scene (no spoilers) is one of the most powerful closings in cinema history.
Frustration of the powerless system
The moral ambiguity of justice
The failure of truth in the face of chaos
The final scene (no spoilers) is one of the most powerful closings in cinema history.
📝 Verdict:
If you're expecting a classic detective story with a clear resolution, this might shake you. But if you're open to complex narratives, emotional depth, and brutal realism, Memories of Murder is unforgettable.
🎯 Rating: 9.5/10
