Citadel: Honey Bunny, an Indian spinoff in Amazon Prime Video's Citadel universe, attempts to build on the espionage-thriller foundation set by its parent series. With Raj & DK at the helm and a promising cast led by Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the series holds some potential but ultimately misses its mark. Raj & DK bring their signature style to the direction. After the intriguing setup, the plot progresses in a way that's more expected than exciting, failing to bring the fresh, high-stakes energy audiences might anticipate from a spy drama.
The series oscillates between two timelines, 1992 and 2000, following Honey and Bunny, played by Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who portray the parents of Priyanka Chopra's character from the original series. Initially, Citadel: Honey Bunny offers well-crafted backstories for the lead characters, drawing viewers into their world with a strong start. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes sluggish and predictable, lacking the twists and depth essential for an engaging espionage thriller. One area where Citadel: Honey Bunny shines is its action. The sequences are well-choreographed. John's cinematography captures the action sequences effectively, adding a layer of visual appeal that complements the series' ambitious themes.
Varun Dhawan impresses with his portrayal, particularly in the emotional scenes. Samantha Ruth Prabhu is equally gripping as Honey, delivering a performance full of intensity. Together, they execute the heavy-duty action scenes with commendable skill. The supporting cast offers additional highlights. Shivankit Singh Parihar is impressive. Kay Kay Menon is outstanding. Kashvi Majmundar performance is both adorable and impressive. While the performances are praiseworthy, the show's sluggish pacing and predictable plot make it a less-than-thrilling watch. Only action sequences and cinematography are notable highlights.
Raj and DK bring style, but the story feels predictable and lacks the edge you'd expect in a spy thriller. Impressive performances by Varun & Samantha, plus great action and cinematography, bring some excitement, but the sluggish pacing holds it back.
Direction 3/5
Acting 3/5
Action 3/5
Story 2.5/5
Screenplay 2/5.
