Common Sense Media Review
By Sakhi Thirani
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent Indian crime drama has drugs, torture, and suicide.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Valimai
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In VALIMAI, murders, muggings, and other crimes skyrocket in the city through the treacherous activities of a bike gang that also peddles drugs. A sincere inspector, Arjun Kumar (Ajith Kumar), is tasked with the responsibility of locating the culprits. But things take a sharp turn for the worse when his family find themselves at risk. Will Arjun be able to safeguard his family along with the city of Chennai?
Is It Any Good?
One thing's for sure: This crime drama, directed by H. Vinoth, can't be accused of glorifying crime and violence. Valimai depicts the harsh consequences and ramifications of drug trafficking and substance abuse, gorily showing the impacts of it on individuals, families, and the larger society. However, this heavy-handed approach is too grotesque at points and often way too predictable. Almost three hours in length, it feels slow, and its sentimentality seems petty and monotonous after a point. Prolonged action sequences, chases, and bike stunts ceaselessly fill nearly the entire film, barely sparing time for anything else to happen despite its overlong runtime. There is bloodbath after bloodbath, female characters perpetually remain on the sidelines, and its overt emphasis on drug addiction, torture, and severe crime make it a tough watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Valimai. How did it make you feel? Did you find it entertaining, or over the top? Do some types of media violence have a different impact than others?
How were drinking, drugs, and smoking depicted in the film? Were they glamorized? Why does that matter? What are some of the real-life consequences of drug addiction?
What did the movie have to say about giving people a second chance? Do you think people should be allowed to make up for their mistakes? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 24, 2022
- Cast : Ajith Kumar , Huma Qureshi , Kartikeya Gummakonda
- Director : H. Vinoth
- Studio : Zee Studios
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 178 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : July 26, 2023
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