Hit List Movie Review : A vegan’s unlikely transformation into a killer

Hit List Movie Synopsis: Vijay, a typical middle-class guy, finds his life ruined when a masked man kidnaps his family and forces him to become an unwilling assassin, targeting the masked man’s rivals in a twisted game of karmic retribution. As Vijay handles this dangerous game, the mystery of the masked man’s identity and his motives deepens.

Hit List Movie Review: Hitlist throws a curveball right from the start: a meek IT guy Vijay (Vijay Kanishka) finds himself caught in a twisted game orchestrated by a masked psychopath. Family kidnapped, life on the line, the only way out: become a killer. It’s a jarring contrast, setting the stage for a thriller that promises to push boundaries.

His new owner, a shadowy figure with a penchant for theatrics, is the film’s most curious element. His motives remain a mystery, his methods accurate. He’s like a puppet master, manipulating Vijay’s psyche and forcing him to embrace the very violence he abhors. Vijay, guided by the gruff ACP Yazhvendan (Sarathkumar), crosses a world of shadows and bloodshed.

As the film progresses, the initial thrill fades. The masked man’s grand plan, while rooted in a sense of twisted justice, feels all too familiar. The reveals, the motivations, the characters themselves – they all fall into predictable patterns. Even the hardened Yazhvendan, with his affection for firing warning shots and his gruff demeanor, feels like a character we’ve seen untold times before.

In his acting debut, Vijay Kanishka portrays the transformation of Vijay, capturing the character’s initial timidity and his gradual descent into violence. Sarathkumar delivers a commanding performance as the authoritative ACP, his presence alone conveying a sense of dominance. The supporting cast, including Ramachandra Raju, Munishkanth, and Sithara, just fill their slots, while Gautham Menon and Smruthi Venkat make memorable appearances in brief but well-executed cameos.

Directed by duo Sooryakathir and K. Karthikeyan, Hitlist has its moments. Some good camerawork and sound design create the necessary suspense. A decent thriller for a lazy afternoon.

Written By: Abhinav Subramanian