Alpha (2026) Movie Review: Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Deliver the Action, But is It Worth Watching?

Alpha movie rating: 3.5/5  (Based on Day 1 audience review) 

After months of teasers, trailers, India's Got Latent Promotion, and social media buzz, Alpha has finally arrived in cinemas. Of course, expectations were high as this was the first film in the YRF Spy Universe with two females as the protagonists. The movie had promised stylish action, international spying and two female protagonists running one of Bollywood's biggest franchises.

Now that the Alpha Day 1 Public Review is out, one thing is clear that Alpha isn't a bad film, but it isn't hype-worthy either. Initial responses indicate that the action thrills and performances have captured audiences, but that the script has been lacking in substance. 

Alpha Movie 2026 Details

• Starring: Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol
• Story: Uday Chopra
• Director: Shiv Rawail
• Producer: Aditya Chopra
• Co-Producer: Akshaye Widhani
• Associate Producer: Rishabh Chopra
• Executive Producer: Padam Bhushan 
• Dialogues: Ishita Moitra
• Screenplay: Soumil Shukla, Shridhar Raghavan
• Director of Photography: Rubais
• Music: Rohansh & Abeer
• Lyrics: Kumaar, Anvitaa Dutt, Kausar Munir, Rohansh & Abeer

What Is Alpha About?

Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha follows two elite intelligence agents, played by Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, who are sent on a dangerous international mission where global security is at stake.

As the mission unfolds, the duo face increasingly difficult challenges while taking on a powerful enemy played by Bobby Deol. Anil Kapoor also appears in a pivotal role, adding weight to the ensemble.

The film marks the seventh instalment in the YRF Spy Universe and the first to place women at the centre of the franchise.

Alpha Review: Is Alia Bhatt's Spy Film Worth Your Money? 

What Audiences Loved: 

If there's one aspect on which most viewers agree, it's the action. The fight sequences are quite stylish, the pacing remains brisk for most of the runtime, and the background score adds energy to several key moments.

Among the cast, Sharvari has emerged as the biggest surprise. Many Day 1 viewers described her as one of the film's strongest performers, praising both her screen presence and action scenes.

Bobby Deol also continues his impressive run as an antagonist. His commanding screen presence has been widely appreciated, with several viewers calling him one of the film's highlights.

Alia Bhatt, meanwhile, delivers a committed performance in one of the most physically demanding roles of her career. While many praised her effort, reactions to her performance have been divided.

Where Alpha Misses the Mark

As per Alpha Day 1 Public Review, the biggest criticism isn't directed at the actors. It's directed at the writing and the casting. Many have shared their opinion on choosing someone better than Alia and swapping villain with hero. 

Across social media, Alpha audience review has been that the screenplay doesn't match the scale of the film's production. Several viewers described the story as predictable, saying that despite impressive action sequences, the emotional depth and narrative twists don't leave a lasting impact.

Some also felt that the visual effects could have been stronger, particularly for a film belonging to one of Bollywood's biggest action franchises. In short, Alpha entertains but rarely surprises.

The Marketing Created Curiosity But…

One interesting aspect of Alpha's release has been the conversation around its marketing campaign. The film generated significant online attention before release, with its trailer becoming widely discussed across social media. As with most major Bollywood releases today, reactions ranged from excitement to scepticism, with many users debating whether the film would live up to the expectations created by the YRF Spy Universe.

Day 1 reactions suggest that while the promotional campaign successfully created curiosity, audiences are ultimately judging the film on its storytelling. The consensus emerging so far is that performances and action have largely delivered, while the screenplay has divided opinion.

Is Alpha Better Than Previous YRF Spy Films? 

Preciously, audiences remain divided. It is just day one today, perhaps by the weekend there would be enough opinion on the movie to draw a concrete conclusion.

Should Students Watch Alpha?

If you're a student who enjoys action thrillers, Alpha offers an entertaining theatrical experience with well-executed action and themes of teamwork, courage and resilience. It is also notable for placing two female protagonists at the centre of a mainstream action franchise, reflecting a gradual shift in the kinds of stories Bollywood is choosing to tell. That said, students expecting a deeply layered story or something that reinvents the spy genre may find themselves slightly disappointed.

Alpha Movie Hit or Flop?

Alpha is neither a complete “fantastic” nor a disappointment. It succeeds where many commercial action films succeed, with energetic performances, polished action and visual style. Where it struggles is in delivering a screenplay that matches those strengths.

For many viewers, Sharvari and Bobby Deol emerge as the film's biggest takeaways, while Alia Bhatt delivers a sincere performance in a role that has generated mixed reactions.

If you're watching Alpha purely for action and spectacle, you'll likely leave satisfied. If you're expecting one of the finest entries in the YRF Spy Universe, you may feel it falls just short.