Kennedy review: Gloomy, Gritty and Oddly Amusing
Kennedy review by Kausalya Rachavelpula
Kennedy, directed by Anurag Kashyap, is a dark and thoughtful crime drama that finally reaches Indian viewers with its OTT release on ZEE5. After years of waiting and a strong run at international festivals like Cannes and NY Indian Film Festival, where it won applause and praise, the film has now landed on our screens.
At its core, Kennedy is the story of a man trapped in a world where right and wrong are not clearly separate. The lead character, Uday Shetty, believed to be dead, lives a strange double life. By day he is a quiet driver; by night he becomes Kennedy – a hired killer who works for a corrupt system while still wrestling with his own past and guilt.
Performance and Characters
The film’s central strength lies in its performances. The actor who plays Kennedy carries the movie with a quiet intensity. He speaks little, but his eyes and body language say a great deal. We see a man worn down by loss, sleepless nights, violence and regret. This makes Kennedy feel more like a man who survives than a hero we are meant to cheer for.
One of the most talked-about parts is Sunny Leone’s role as Charlie. In a departure from her usual screen image, she plays a mysterious and unpredictable character who shares fleeting but meaningful moments with the lead. Her presence adds another layer to the story, even if her character sometimes feels secondary to the main plot.
The supporting cast anchors the world of Kennedy well. Other characters, like a corrupt police official and various figures from the city’s underbelly, help paint a grim picture of how power and violence mingle in this universe.
Tone and Style
Kennedy is very much a neo-noir film. That means it doesn’t follow the usual rules of a mainstream thriller or action flick. Instead, it stays in a shadowy, tense atmosphere where light and darkness play a big part. The film prides itself on mood and feeling rather than fast-paced action. It unfolds slowly, pulling you into the mind of a man who can’t sleep and can’t escape his choices.
In Kennedy, much of the storytelling places us very close to the lead character’s isolation, insomnia, guilt and violent work. The camera often lingers rather than rushes. We watch him in silence, in dim rooms, in moments where he isn’t performing for anyone. That can create a voyeuristic feeling, as if we are witnessing something we perhaps shouldn’t be seeing.
The city of Mumbai, shown mostly at night, becomes another character in the film. Its empty streets, dim lights and uncertain corners mirror Kennedy’s inner turmoil. The soundtrack, including haunting musical pieces, supports this mood, creating an experience that feels more like stepping into a long, uneasy dream than watching a conventional crime movie.
Themes and Impact
What makes Kennedy stand out is its refusal to simplify morality. There are no clear heroes or villains; most characters exist somewhere in between. This might be challenging for viewers who prefer clear answers and fast thrills. But for those who enjoy films that ask questions rather than give easy conclusions, Kennedy offers rich material.
The film also touches on deeper ideas about guilt, corruption and the parts of society that thrive in the shadows. At times this feels heavy, and at others it feels poetic, pushing viewers to think about how systems shape individuals and how people respond when they lose faith in justice and order.
Kennedy review: Worth your time?
Kennedy is not a light watch. It is slow, intense and often unsettling. It won’t satisfy everyone, especially those expecting traditional thrills or a straightforward narrative. But it is a thoughtful and accomplished piece of filmmaking that showcases what can happen when a director pushes beyond the usual boundaries of commercial cinema.
For viewers who enjoy character-driven stories and are open to mood-rich, atmospheric cinema, Kennedy is worth a watch. It may not be perfect, and its slow pace might test some patience, but it remains an interesting, gritty exploration of a man at odds with his world.
