Alpha (2026) Review: Two Super-Soldier Sisters Take On The Spy Universe

This Alpha review covers the first female-led film in the YRF Spy Universe, an action adventure with real swagger and a few familiar problems. Debut director Shiv Rawail hands Alia Bhatt and Sharvari the spotlight, and the film mostly rewards that choice. Here is what works, what doesn't, and whether it deserves your evening.

Alpha Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Alpha plot centres on Sita, played by Alia Bhatt. She is a grim, superpowered assassin who was raised in isolation by a rogue commander and shaped into a weapon. Her life is built on discipline, secrecy and violence.

The story shifts when her long-lost sister, Durga, arrives. Where Sita is cold and guarded, Durga is upbeat and restless, and the two are pulled toward the man who made them and his illicit military programme. That is the setup, and I will leave everything after it for you to discover.

The film runs about 140 minutes and is a Hindi-language production from Yash Raj Films, produced by Aditya Chopra. It follows the studio's well-worn spy template, but with a different pair of leads at the centre.

What Works in Alpha

The biggest strength is the pairing of the two leads. Critics have noted that both women stand apart from the franchise's male stars, largely through playful, inventive action set pieces. The fights have personality rather than just noise.

A sharper screen persona for Alia Bhatt

Bhatt plays against type as a ruthless, controlled fighter. Early reaction to the trailer praised exactly this shift, and the finished film gives her room to commit to it. Her stillness often says more than the stunts around her.

Sibling chemistry

The contrast between a hardened killer and a livelier, warmer sister gives the film a human pulse. Their scenes together are where the film feels most alive. It also gives the action an emotional hook that many spy films lack.

If you like this kind of high-energy genre fare, our Action movie reviews page has more picks.

Alpha Cast and Performances

The Alpha cast is led by Alia Bhatt as Sita and Sharvari as Durga. Both handle the physical demands well, and Sharvari holds her own opposite a more established star.

The supporting players add weight:

• Bobby Deol as Fateh Singh Lakhawat / Major Zarrar Khan

• Anil Kapoor as Vikrant Kaul

• Dibyendu Bhattacharya as Dr. John Verghese

• Dia Mirza as Janaki Kaul

Deol and Kapoor bring screen presence that suits a spy-universe villain-and-handler dynamic. The script gives some of these roles limited room, though, so the ensemble often feels underused next to the sisters.

Where Alpha Stumbles

The film is business as usual in several ways. RogerEbert.com calls its nationalist sloganeering cornball and says the emotional logic is thin, and I largely agree. Speeches meant to stir you often land as stock phrases.

Pacing is another issue. At roughly two hours and twenty minutes, the middle stretch repeats beats we have seen in earlier franchise entries. Some reviewers are harsher still: Gulte gave it 1.5 out of 5 and found no engaging sequence at all. I do not go that far, but the fatigue is real.

Audience scores are lukewarm too. TMDB sits around 5 out of 10 from a small number of votes, and Plex shows 4.6 out of 10. RogerEbert.com, by contrast, awards 3 out of 4 stars, so opinion is clearly divided.

The Alpha entry on TMDB is a good place to check the latest user scores and details.

Is Alpha Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a stylish female-led action film and can forgive formula. The leads are the reason to go, and the best set pieces are playful enough to justify the ticket.

It is not a game-changer for the spy genre, and the writing rarely matches the energy of the stunts. Still, as a debut for director Shiv Rawail, it shows confident staging and a clear sense of what its stars do best. Expect a solid, sometimes thrilling ride rather than a classic.

Fans of the genre may also enjoy Thriller movie reviews on this site, or our take on another action outing, One Last Shot.

Who Will Enjoy Alpha

• Fans of the YRF Spy Universe who want a fresh, female-led entry.

• Viewers who enjoy sister dynamics and stylised, character-driven fight scenes.

• Action fans who value spectacle over subtle storytelling.