‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’ sells its soul to burn bright in its excesses
Summary
Geetu Mohandas’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is a bombastic period action drama set in 1947 Goa, following Raya, a henchman torn between a criminal empire and love. Despite its excesses and repetitive stretches, the film’s tragic climax and visual style leave a lasting impression.
Key Points
- The review describes Toxic as a campy, indulgent, and visually striking pan-India blockbuster with repeated action and sex scenes.
- Yash plays Raya, a violent henchman in 1947 Goa who becomes caught between a drug lord’s empire and his love for Nadia, played by Kiara Advani.
- Geetu Mohandas’s direction is praised for its individual style, especially in set pieces and the film’s final 15 minutes.
- The critic finds the climax moving but says the film is weighed down by excess, repetition, and shallow characterisation.
