Jigarthanda Double X (2023) User Reviews

This. Film. IS. CINEMA!!

[TreeFiddy53 · 9/10 · 14 November 2023]

We've had some banger movies out of Kollywood in 2023, and this just might be my Tamil movie of the year. I was skeptical of a Jigarthanda 'sequel' when this was announced and wasn't sure what to make of the casting, but was blown away by what I watched.

You can write a story about a given topic/around a message, and a good story should be enough for the film. Making a movie about making movie about the same story could almost feel..."Why? Keep it simple & not complicate the plot. Just make it about the message." But no, JDX disagrees. It want's to do what's tough.

Writing/Direction - Easily some of the best work I've seen in recent times. The movie has so many layers that have been written in very seamlessly. I enjoyed the first film, even though I didn't like the transition of tone/genre. I knew JDX would be doing the same, but damn, I didn't expect them to 'use cinema to bring forth change' the way they did. Loved how they went back and forth on what 'shooting' means to different people in the film. I didn't expect the messaging to be hard-hitting and yet, no on-the-nose. Didn't think you could blend of genres this way, but they did.

Raghava Lawrence - role of a lifetime! It's not often that you can steal the show with SJ Surya (who was also really good) in it, but this guy managed it. You've got to watch it to believe it. Support cast - really good.

Music - Santhosh Narayanan and his work elevate almost every scene of the film beyond expectation, especially the ones that are supposed to hit hard. It was very refreshing to listen to his genre of music after continuous bombardment of Anirudh songs, only sung by him, mostly about hero-worshiping.

Cinematography - especially the first half - top notch. The lighting and the colors deserve a special mention. I was bummed out that the 2nd half didn't look as vibrant, but I understand why it was done that way.

I could go on and be more specific, but that would potentially spoil things for you...sooo...Don't miss this film! I'd be very surprised if this doesn't win a bunch of awards next year. Based on how technically epic this film, on the commentaries on various things, and simply based on how well they tell the story of the power of cinema through cinema, this would be in the top 10 Indian films of 2023 to submit for Oscars. I know I haven't watched many other GOOD Indian movies this year, but boy if they sent this film, I don't think I'd disagree one bit!

An unmistakably substantial improvement

[isaacsundaralingam · 9/10 · 12 November 2023]

It's been 9 years since Jigarthanda was first released and people still love it to this day. It's considered a modern cult classic of sorts with a noticeable following, and for director Karthik Subbaraj to announce a sequel to one of the industry's most successful movies in a time where sequels exist simply to leech off name recognition, one might have some reasonable reservations about it. Well, this is where I disagree.

The original Jigarthanda was to me an extremely overrated movie. And as much as the word is frowned upon, I can't seem to find a word that describes my feeling towards it better. It was an ugly movie, with not a single likeable character, and where the conflict kept sinking to insufferable lows. It's still beyond me how this movie was ever considered anything more than mediocre. Well, thankfully we have a sequel that takes the same premise as the original and rectifies any and all faults I had with it.

Karthik Subbaraj is now 9 years the wiser, and with his naturally great eye for dramatic storytelling only refined, he finally finds good use for the premise; this time with likeable characters, clearly defined and compelling motivations, and while the occasional ostentatious tendencies do show, it's forgivable as it never impedes with the movie's impressive flow. With a breakneck first half and a resolute second, Jigarthanda Double X ends up being an arresting and fun cinematic experience. Try not to miss it!

A mass movie with messagr

[dkiran-05111 · 9/10 · 10 November 2023]

I will not hesitate to keep the Music for this film at the first place. The best element of the movie. Extremely talented musician Santosh Narayanan has elevated each and every scene of the movie with powerful and contentful score.

Acting of each and every cast in the movie is top notch ,Especially SJ suriya and Lawrence.

Direction and script are really very good. Hats off to the team.

Some drawbacks: First half might make the audience a bit not attached to the movie but second half is another level.

This movie is a mixture of Mass, comedy,thrill and social message. A must watch threatrical experince movie.

Wammala ithan da cinema

[jonny78 · 10/10 · 11 November 2023]

What a powerful heartfelt movie from Karthik Subbaraj, a true love letter to cinema and cinephiles.

Don't go in expecting another Jigarthanda. It's so much more than that. Where Jigarthanda was how art can influence a person, Double X is about art influencing society, building up to a really powerful ending (quite a few people teared up at the end).

KS weaves multiple genres together of action, crime, drama, comedy, thriller together like it's nothing. Finally, Raghava Lawrence demonstrates that he is an actor and not a joker, what a comeback after the Chandramairu 2 (what was that movie)

I'll make this longer later. It's just truly amazing. A real 'wammala ithan da cinema' moment; so far best Tamil film of the year.

Karthik Subbaraj - the Film Maker is back

[armsmovie · 10/10 · 14 November 2023]

Karthik Subbaraj - the film maker is back. What a come back from Karthik. His previous 2 movies could not make it to theaters and went straight to OTT. May be because of that he worked hard on his writing and came with better script. He always finds his ways to keep some suspense in his movies. I don't want to reveal anything about the story. Unexpected treat! Go and enjoy it in screens.

Great scope for Raghava Lawrence to perform and it was nice to see him in this (got bored of his horror comedy movies). Karthik brought the actor side of Lawrence outside. Nadippu Arakkan SJ Suryah did very well to his role. Santosh Narayan enhanced the movie feel with his music.

A well made movie, must watch.

[sriramcksmeetme · 10/10 · 12 November 2023]

In a cinematic landscape often overshadowed by low ratings, this particular movie emerges as a defiant masterpiece, skillfully crafted to captivate audiences. It's a rare gem that rekindles the exhilaration of applause within the confines of a theater. The climax, a pivotal moment in this cinematic journey, uniquely resonates with viewers, evoking genuine admiration. What sets this film apart is not the typical triggers of applause-no ostentatious intros or dialogue-driven gimmicks. Instead, it's the sheer brilliance of the screenplay that commands the audience's attention and earns their applause.

As the narrative unfolds, the film weaves a tapestry of storytelling that goes beyond conventional norms. Each scene, carefully orchestrated, contributes to the overall impact, building towards a climax that transcends expectations. The collective applause during this culmination isn't merely a reaction to spectacle; it's a recognition of the nuanced artistry embedded in the screenplay.

Amidst a sea of movies conforming to predictable formulas, this stands out as a must-watch, boldly breaking the mold. It's an experience that lingers, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to witness it within the immersive setting of a theater. The film's ability to resonate with the audience, not through superficial elements but through the depth of its storytelling, is what elevates it to the status of a cinematic gem.

This is more than just a movie; it's a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact it can have when executed with finesse. The applause in the theater isn't just a fleeting reaction; it's a genuine tribute to the artistry that unfolds on the screen. From the first frame to the last, this film manages to transcend its perceived limitations, proving that true cinematic excellence knows no constraints. In a world saturated with entertainment options, this movie emerges as a beacon, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a narrative that defies expectations and stands as a testament to the enduring magic of the silver screen. 🔥🎬

THE GURU IS BACK

[sankalpoctober · 8/10 · 14 November 2023]

Boss is back🔥once a GURU always a GURU🔥. Mass Comeback of Karthik Subburaj, what a story & writing. Story, Screenplay & Direction is litt.

Speaking of the Cinematography it's mind-blowing, framing, composition, lighting, colors, art everything is perfect ⚡. Story will keep you engaging throughout the film there's a slight 10-20mins lag in the 2nd half.

Acting & Dialogues: For the first time I felt like someone overshadowed SJ Suryah, what a performance by Lawrence. His acting will make you stunning.

Editing & VFX is sooo realistic, clean and perfect.

Song & BGM: Santosh Narayan and his beats, BGM and Music is littt the songs & beats makes you dance.

The Story is meaningful it has a reason, message and content in it. Worth watching it.

Enna nge periya LCU, enga Thalaivar Karthik Subburaj theriyuma!

Lokesh Kanagaraj should learn more from his GURU.

Some Cool Parts, Some Snoozers

[best-review · 7/10 · 10 November 2023]

Yo, the storyline is okay, not super gripping, ya know? The telling of it is solid, and some scenes are on point, while others kinda drag. There's some exciting bits here and there, but gotta admit, the flick feels a bit drawn out at times. The last half hour is a blast.

Big props to Karhik Subbaraj's direction - dude knows what's up. S J Surya rocks it with a killer performance, Lawrence is crazy, and Shine Tom, Nimisha, Naveen Chandra gave their best.

The locations, sets, and outfits are legit. Cinematography is top-notch, and the background music vibes well.

Overall, it's worth a watch, but don't go in expecting fireworks, ya feel?

SJ Surya + Karthik Sabbaraj is a dream come true

[qnrxydmf · 10/10 · 10 December 2023]

Cant express how happy I am with the state of Tamil cinema now, Karthik Sabbaraj is a jewel and S J Surya is a gem Before this movie I didnt have much of an appreciation for Raghava lawrence but I have to say, paired with a good director like Karthik, he is amazing and I came out a fan too.

Film is a emotional ride, very rare for films these days to make us cry because they always try to be mass entertainers but someone Karthik strikes a perfect balance of a commercial mass entertainer which also includes emotional tear jerking scenes. Thank you sir! And thank you to SJ Surya and Raghava Lawrence for taking ok this film and blowing us away!

🎶Yaayaayaayaayaayaaaaaa!🎶 [+74%]

[arungeorge13 · 7/10 · 8 December 2023]

JDX is clearly Karthik Subbaraj's best work since Jigarthanda. Of course, it brings back the familiar "gangster & filmmaker" trope from the original, though it ups the stakes, emotions, and craft. On the whole, I still prefer the first film because it had a simpler core and didn't have to shoehorn any kind of messaging. But credit where it's due, the second half of JDX takes you into a space you wouldn't expect, (almost) hitting the right emotional notes, as well as showcasing some exceptional bits of writing. The first half of JDX, on the other hand, is probably the most well-shot in all of Subbaraj's films. Cinematographer Tirru is firing on all cylinders, getting the Madurai Western colour palette right and candidly capturing a host of differentially textured characters. SaNa & Subbaraj are an irrefutable combo, and somehow, the latter keeps extracting fantastic background scores from the former.

The writing in the pre-interval block and the climax are terrific. These segments bring out the best in SJ Suryah as a performer, even when they hark back to certain ideas from the first film. The remainder of the film rests on the able shoulders of Raghava Lawrence, who comes up with a spectacular feat. It's to the director's credit that we only see Alliyus Caesar and NOT Raghava Lawrence in the film. The supporting cast also pitches in with emotionally charged performances, and this includes good showings from Nimisha Sajayan and Ilavarasu - plus, the folks who played various members of the tribe. Naveen Chandra, as the antagonist, is impressive. I can say the same for the actor who portrayed Shettani.

Subbaraj's adoration for Clint Eastwood Westerns fully comes through in the first half, and while the humour quotient is less (when compared with the 2014 film), it keeps you visually hooked. The setup is elaborate, and in the beginning, I wondered why Subbaraj took the longest (and intricately detailed) route to get to the seen-before plot point from the first film. But, he surprised me in the climactic portion by offering solid payoffs. The only major downer is the visual effects for the elephant scenes, but I'm willing to let that slide since the makers didn't try to brag/reveal too much in their promotional material about it. On the whole, this is deliciously cooked meta cinema, and a splendid return to form for Karthik Subbaraj, the CINEMA LOVER.

LAWRENCE STOLE OUR HEARTS,SJ SURYAH CLASS PERFORMANCE

[nishanneymessi · 8/10 · 8 December 2023]

I am giving honest review and overall i liked the movie..The movie duration yes it affected the storyline and little lagg feeling but there are many plus points in the movie we should look out for..This movie is watchable with family..

PLUS POINTS 1. Lawrence Acting,Mannerism,Dialogues,Great Comeback Performance 2. Sj Suryah Apt Role as Director eventhough he was in different mission 3. Village Theme 2nd half with emotions 4. Heroine Stole our Heart again after Chitta movie she lived the Character 5. Message for society and politics strong warning 6. Storyline Good

MINUS POINTS 1. Bgm santosh messed up 2. Movie duration 3.1st 30 min little boring but eventually catch up with Lawrence entry 4. OverHyped after Jigarthanda 1 success caused this to become okayish movie.

Karthik Subbraj apparently weaved 2 different scripts into 1

[saidassankaran · 6/10 · 13 November 2023]

The movie 1st half, though not memorable, was laid out pretty well for a gangster movie. The first half has a similar premise to the first installment of the franchise - innocent protagonist, who dons the pretense of a movie director to dupe a dreadful gangster. The interval block sets the tone and expectations for a intense drama. Alas, the plot in the 2nd half seems to be taken totally from a different script as it treads into the genre of social drama - a genre that has churned out 1000s of boring movies in the last decade alone. It seems like Karthik Subbaraj has unrestrained urge to fit his political/social messaging into his films as we have seen how his movie Jagame Thandthiram faltered for the same reason. Even though the 2nd half is done better than most of the social drama movies, it seems deliberately mawkish and totally divorced from the original premise set in the 1st half.

SJ Surya though acted well,he doesn't manifest his unique blend of humor and notoriety in this character - partly because he plays the good guy here, and partly because his character is chiseled to be more serious and humorless. Raghava Lawrence has his intense moments but shows his limitations as an actor. None of the supporting characters have any memorable scene. Shine Tom Chacko, who is a much celebrated for his negative portrayals have been grossly underutilized here. Songs are forgettable and rather annoying. BGM work in some parts. The "mass scenes" are well-done and action scenes are choreographed neatly. You can skip this movie and wait for its debut on OTT or TV.

Put on so much expectations in the first half only to change the story completely in second half. A Karthick Subburaj Vadai.

[Vetrrich_Chelvan · 5/10 · 16 November 2023]

Okay. I think it is time to scream this into the world. Many are gaslighting that this is pure cinema and everything but as a writer myself, I felt like this is two different scripts amalgamated to one for the sake of runtime. One of the most problematic aspects of being a writer is that you can easily bring up characters and tie knots everywhere, meaning that you can put your characters in unimaginable, inescapable situations but how you are going to undo all the knots and take the characters out without being predictable is where everything matters.

Jigarthanda Double X, such as that, introduces two different characters, who lock horns, but one chooses violence to fight the other, and the other chooses the camera (or cinema) as the weapon. Sure it is a fresh perspective and the way these characters were built, adding on to multiple elements of their existence, the supporting characters, the small but significant back stories - I loved everything. You had this amazing interval block where the knot was complete and all you expected post-interval was for Karthick Subburaj to undo the knot but instead what he did was put more knots on the existing knots and finally blew up everything. Sabash! It was an easy thing to do - a wicked thing.

I mean, you have all these dialogues praising artists and you show the power of cinema - sure the audience who love art are going to weep; But as a critic, you see right through the bs on how cunning all of this is. You wait with expectations that the story is about the characters but later it would be revealed that there is a much larger, typical Tamil cinema cliche storyline that would take the centerplace sidetracking our main characters. And the way the film ends, let us say, it was rather emotional than logical. This film is surely for those who get hyped up by manipulative cinema.

Vetrrich Chelvan Brooks141123-1010.

A tribute to the power of filmmaking

[Jithindurden · 9/10 · 12 November 2023]

What a brilliant piece of cinema. Karthik Subbaraj uses all the best aspects of cinema, even some that are very specific to Indian cinema to make one of the best masala films. The film is a tribute to the power of filmmaking while reminding us both why it is and to ask the why whenever needed. The culture of star worship in Tamil Nadu, as a political tool on one side and also here as a tool that turns out to be self-realization through the use of Clint Eastwood's spaghetti western on the other side. The elements from the first movie, the filmmaking centred around a gangster are there but by the end, it even reminds me of Viduthalai with how hard-hitting it turned out to be. This brought out the best performance from Raghava Lawrence and also showed that SJ Surya can shine even if he's not over-the-top as many criticize him. There's so much to talk about this movie all of which I probably haven't processed yet but what I can say is it is entertaining throughout while also being very hard-hitting with what it wants to say. My favourite Karthik Subbaraj film yet (haven't seen Iraivi) and my favourite Indian movie of the year.

A love letter to Indian Cinema

[Lijin_25 · 10/10 · 8 December 2023]

Don't expect a Karthik suburaj Movie. Its more than that.

It contains every genre in the film industry.

A best film you can in 2023. Its career best performance of ragahva Lawrence. He has a talent but nobody utalized him properly.

Also one thing Karthik proved here is cinema is not about always happy ending. Some times we need to accept reality. The cinematography of this movie is top notch. Also sana proved once again he can do more than other music director can't do. The soundtrack felt like a Interstellar of indian version. Unique and perfectly match maded for this movie. Also the performance of sj Surya can't be forgoted.

In a simple line is ' you don't choose 🎨. Art choose you...'

Mind-blowing

[vieghas · 10/10 · 14 November 2023]

It's really a blast Diwali movie...Karthik subbaraj win again after the mahaan bb movie. This movie show us that the real story of politician and cinema with how they connect to a land project...Must watch at teather and the bgm and songs are really superb...In this movie sj suriya perform his good but ragava win in this movie cause from his previes movie till now there is no change but this movie make it and at last they make us to cry...So must watch guys. Its not connect with the first part but at the last of the movie it will connect to the first part and there have a part 3 too.... So must watch.

Gem of a movie

[kamtampravekumar-27339 · 10/10 · 8 December 2023]

Hats off to the writing of the movie . The movie is so realistically presented. Truly movie has the power to move the emotion. This movie succeeds in it . No matter what , This movie is very much underrated for the effort the cast, crew and technicians have put into.. Though , the fight scenes and action sequences could have been improved ,but the story has held me stick to the screen till the end. One cannot predict the next scene unlike most of the other action movies out.. if you want to watch something new ,raw and history. This is the movie one can vouch for. Your emotions will certainly go for a roller coaster ride.

Adios.

Average movie one time watchable

[mdrasheen · 6/10 · 15 November 2023]

Jigarthanda first part was good but jigarthanda doublex is disappointing.

First half - was like jigarthanda part 1 there was a good story building and the script was good finally ended with a nice interval block Second half - was like viduthalai and karnan So two stories in one movie. This movie has a good social message in the second half. Didn't expect such a different second half it made a totally a different movie. The director should gone for jigarthanda type story and screenplay in the second half and could have made a another movie with this second half with a another name.

Finally you would be expecting this movie like jigarthanda part one but you will get cheated in the second half.

Plus points - excellent cinematography, music and acting. No goosebumps scenes but having a good emotional scenes in the second half.

Okay Story, But Powerful Telling

[harakohirkar · 9/10 · 13 November 2023]

Amazing storytelling, almost all crafts were brilliant. Special mention to Cinematography. One of the most powerful second half of many film that came in the recent past. Career best for Raghava!! Kartik's extraordinary tallent is again there to witness. Set pieces were amazing authentic. Naveen Chandra who usually get mediocre roles in Telugu cinema, has bagged a decent one and outperformed himself. Women charactersbwere always plausible in Kartik Subbaraju's film and this is no different. Background score was amazing and elevated scenes more than it can offer. Song could have been better. Go, watch it, Because you don't choose art, art chooses you!! Thank you.

Karthik Subburaj's tribute to Western Cinema in Style

[agngoutham · 7/10 · 16 November 2023]

Jigarthanda XX - With a known genre and seen plot in the title installment you might feel okay-ish or a little bored by the intermission .

Post intermission Karthik takes viewers into another world and pulled of a different genre in same file wisely and succeeded in it. KS excelled in bringing Western style genre , visuals and style beautifully .

This movie has its own flaws and lag but that doesn't hold you . Double X may not be KS's best movie , but surely this one will be the most ambitious and heartfelt film in his career . Double X is definitely worth a watch on the big screen for its making and experiment !!

Raghava Lawrence's versatile acting with different shades and SJ Surya's subtle yet terrific performance along with strong technical work makes XX more and more an enjoyable experience !!!

massive and mind-blowing!

[ngandacinema · 10/10 · 14 December 2023]

Jigarthanda DoubleX was not the typical masala movie full of noise and action. It was rather a massive and mind-blowing experience😃

First time seeing a Karthik Subbaraj film and we were blown away.

What made this story so fabulous was the grand execution: you don't feel like it was 3 hours long because the plot gradually developed into many layers, full of suspense, there was character transformation, it started with a sarcastic vibe then transitioned into a drama and finally ended with a socio-political theme.

Everything was executed with extreme care: sizzling fight choreography, funky dance moves, spectacular make-up and costume designs of the villain Shettani covered in mud, Caesar the actor with his Western outfits, and Ray the director with his classy suspenders, the engaging CGI, and the cinematography😍😍

So many things to mention, but we want to highlight the gun and camera contrast that was symbolic throughout the narrative. They say "the pen is mightier than the sword" and in the scenario, "the camera was mightier than the gun". Powerful people use guns to exterminate the weak but we can use the camera to tell our own stories and expose the truth.

The colors orange, red, and yellow symbolized energy, happiness, humor, blood, passion, and strength which were the dominant themes. Performance was effortless and perfected, Nimisha Sajayan, simply fierce and superb!

Thank you Karthik Subbaraj and team for a fantastic job!

Hit right in the feels!

[SoumikBanerjee1996 · 7/10 · 11 December 2023]

Aside from logical imperfections and literary inconsistencies, this works reasonably well as a commercial potboiler; studded with high-pitched drama and several claptraps, director Karthik Subbaraj figured out and perfected a formula that understands and respects the audience's pulse and delivers the amalgam of emotion and swag in a niftily calculated measure, without ever exceeding the premeditated limitations, without ever going overboard with the ideas.

It had hit all the right notes, and it had made me weep, which I wasn't expecting. Furthermore, I like Subbaraj's description of the power of a camera and an artist's vision. You can obviously sense his love and passion for the craft.

A disgrace to Sergeo Leone

[adityaaccrocheur · 1/10 · 10 December 2023]

It is as flashy for as much grounded the first part was. The first part was simple down to earth and also relatable in a way. In his want to be stylish, Karthik subburaj has forgot what makes his films great. This film is too complex and overburdened.

The setup is too fast and complex, after a while feels a bit watchable and there is a glimpse of good old subburaj. After the intermission back to bad cinema. Complex, overburdened.

Some things can be changed like the setup to introduce characters, the circumstances feel too ficticious, the stakes Are too high. What made Sergeo Leone good was simple stakes, believable storytelling, and grounded setting.

An ode to cinema

[thearrfan · 9/10 · 13 November 2023]

What I saw was not a film but a beautiful expression of love towards cinema and filmmaking. Cinema has the power to move you, the power to make you think and the power to make you ask questions. It's not just a thing which makes you pass your time but a powerful weapon which could change you. Jigarthanda double X will move you, make you think and encourages you to ask questions.

The visuals and the score, especially in the last one hour were truly magical. SaNa's score made the film double X better (pun intended).

Lawrence. Wow. Definitely his best performance till date and also It's a breath of fresh air to see SJ Suryah not acting in the same over the top eccentric manner like his other recent films.

Karthik Subbaraj hits the bull's eye with his writing and direction and places himself firmly in the list of the best newgen directors of tamil cinema. It's safe to say that Jigarthanda double X is one of the best tamil films of this decade.

Captivating entertainment

[joyalbrightt · 9/10 · 13 November 2023]

Brillant Craftmanship from karthick subbaraj ; Solidifying the status of double x to its original by all means , outsstaning work !

This one is social-political genre with essence of spaghetti western touch ; Clint Eastwood style and mentions are worthy !

Stirru 's cinematography and Santhosh Narayanan music is fantastic and VFX work is astonishing and hunt scenes are spectacular !

SJ Suryah and Raghava Lawrence 's performance is exceptional !

This movie also messaging the true power of cinema among the people ,its influnce and impact to carry deep social message to audience !

Must see movie to experince it from big screens !