Good Bad Ugly (2025) Movie ft. Adhik and Arjun

Good Bad Ugly is a 2025 Tamil action-crime drama directed by Adhik Ravichandran, starring Ajith Kumar in the lead role. The film brings together a strong cast including Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Jackie Shroff, Prabhu, and Yogi Babu. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers with a budget of ₹270-300 crore, this is one of the most expensive Tamil films of 2025.

Plot and Story

The movie tells the story of a fearless don trying to change his ruthless ways for his family. The central conflict happens when his criminal past refuses to let him go, creating tension between his desire for peace and the pull of his old life. When his son becomes a target, the protagonist must face his demons head-on.

While the basic idea has potential, the execution struggles with consistency. The plot follows a familiar path of many gangster films, relying more on action sequences than building strong emotional connections. The story lacks depth and feels more focused on visual impact rather than meaningful storytelling.

Cast Performance

Ajith Kumar delivers a performance that serves as a tribute to his decades in Tamil cinema. His portrayal of the conflicted gangster shows his screen presence and charisma. I found his combination of intensity and vulnerability as a protective father quite engaging, though the script doesn’t always give him room for deeper emotional exploration.

Trisha Krishnan brings her experience to the role and adds emotional weight to the family scenes. Her chemistry with Ajith works well in dramatic moments. Arjun Das holds his own alongside the veteran cast and adds gravitas to the story.

The supporting cast, including Prabhu, Prasanna, and Yogi Babu, contributes well to the entertainment value. Yogi Babu provides necessary comic relief, while the veteran actors add depth. However, many characters feel underused and serve more as plot devices.

Direction and Technical Quality

Adhik Ravichandran has created a visual spectacle that caters to Ajith’s fanbase. The direction focuses on celebrating the star’s career, but sometimes this comes at the cost of story coherence. I noticed the film prioritizes mass appeal moments over character development.

Abinandhan Ramanujam’s cinematography stands out with vibrant, visually striking frames. The action sequences have impressive scale and grandeur. GV Prakash Kumar’s music provides an energetic soundtrack that works well with the high-energy scenes.

The editing maintains a good pace in the first half but shows inconsistency later. The film could have benefited from tighter editing to reduce unnecessary scenes.

Reviews and Ratings

The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. IMDb rates it 5.7/10, while it has 6.9 stars with over 8K reviews on the platform. BookMyShow shows 8.4/10 with more than 100K votes.

Critics gave varied ratings – Greatandhra rated it 2.25/5, while 123Telugu gave 2.75/5. The general consensus is that while the film entertains Ajith’s fans, it falls short for broader audiences due to weak plotting and lack of emotional depth.

One critic noted that the film pleases loyal fans but stumbles with a weak plot and second half that loses steam. Another review called it a passable film catering mainly to Ajith fans but offering little substance for others.

Box Office Success

Despite mixed reviews, Good Bad Ugly performed exceptionally well commercially. The film crossed ₹150 crore worldwide within the first 4 days and became the third highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 with ₹62.75 crore in three days.

The movie achieved the largest release ever for a Tamil film and by day 23, it became the highest grossing Tamil film of 2025. However, with its massive ₹270-300 crore budget, the financial returns remain concerning for producers.

What I Liked

• Ajith Kumar’s commanding screen presence and charismatic performance
• Spectacular cinematography with vibrant, engaging visuals
• High production values and impressive action scenes
• Strong fan appeal with crowd-pleasing moments
• Energetic background score that amplifies action sequences

What Could Be Better

• Weak and predictable storyline that lacks originality
• Inconsistent pacing, especially in the second half
• Underutilized supporting characters and missed development opportunities
• Over-reliance on style rather than meaningful content
• Limited emotional depth for broader audience connection

Final Thoughts

Good Bad Ugly succeeds in entertaining Ajith Kumar’s devoted fanbase but falls short of creating universal appeal. The movie works more as a celebration of the star’s career rather than a standalone compelling story.

While it boasts impressive technical values and strong lead performances, fundamental storytelling issues hold it back. The weak plot and over-reliance on mass appeal elements prevent it from achieving critical acclaim.

For Ajith fans, this delivers exactly what they expect – a high-energy, visually spectacular showcase. For general audiences seeking compelling narratives, it may feel disappointing despite its technical merits.

I found the film to be decent commercial entertainment that represents a missed opportunity for something more substantial. It demonstrates star power in Tamil cinema but lacks the depth needed for lasting impact.

My Rating: 2.5/5

Good Bad Ugly is a watchable film for fans of Ajith Kumar and commercial Tamil cinema, but it lacks the storytelling finesse needed to appeal to audiences seeking quality entertainment.