Read our full review of Ace (2025), the latest Tamil romantic crime comedy starring Vijay Sethupathi and Rukmini Vasanth. Does this quirky mix of romance and crime deliver the right entertainment punch?
Ace (2025) – Tamil Movie Review
Best Movie Review (BMR) Rating: 7/10
Genre: Romantic Crime Comedy
Director: Arumuga Kumar
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Rukmini Vasanth, Yogi Babu, B. S. Avinash, Babloo Prithiveeraj
Runtime: 154 minutes
Release Date: 23 May 2025
Language: Tamil
Production Company: 7Cs Entertainment
Box Office Collection (Opening): ₹1 crore
Introduction
Tamil cinema’s beloved all-rounder Vijay Sethupathi returns to the silver screen in Ace (2025), a genre-bending romantic crime comedy directed by Arumuga Kumar, known for his offbeat narratives (Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren). With an interesting blend of romance, crime, and quirky humor, Ace tries to be a stylized entertainer with both heart and heist. But does it succeed in juggling its genres and characters? Let’s deal the cards and find out.
Plot Summary
Set in Chennai, Ace revolves around Arjun (Vijay Sethupathi), a former small-time gambler turned street-smart hustler, who wants to retire from crime and lead a quiet life. His path crosses with Meera (Rukmini Vasanth), a passionate investigative journalist with a hidden past. While sparks fly between the two, Arjun’s past quickly catches up in the form of a mysterious underworld kingpin (Babloo Prithiveeraj) and a corrupt police officer (B. S. Avinash) who’s been tailing him for years.
When Meera becomes entangled in Arjun’s unfinished business—specifically, a botched casino heist involving high-stakes players—Arjun is forced back into the game one last time. With the help of his hilarious sidekick (Yogi Babu) and a deck full of deception, the movie follows Arjun’s plan to outwit everyone and win both freedom and love.
Performances
Vijay Sethupathi effortlessly blends charm, mischief, and gravitas as Arjun. His comic timing, expressive eyes, and natural delivery make him the film’s strongest pillar. He carries the emotional weight of a character who’s both rogue and romantic with ease.
Rukmini Vasanth, in her Tamil debut, gives a confident and elegant performance. Her chemistry with Sethupathi feels genuine, and her character is given enough space to stand on her own instead of being a mere love interest.
Yogi Babu provides the comic relief the film promises, delivering one-liners that mostly land well, especially in the first half. Babloo Prithiveeraj plays the antagonist with flair, though his arc feels predictable. B. S. Avinash adds a layer of menace, but his screen time is underutilized.
Direction & Writing
Director Arumuga Kumar takes a bold swing at blending romance, crime, and comedy—a risky mix that doesn’t always land perfectly but has its moments of brilliance. His strength lies in character moments and situational humor, while the screenplay occasionally falters with pacing and tonal consistency.
The dialogues are sharp and often self-aware, poking fun at the clichés of both romantic and crime dramas. However, the second half gets bogged down by too many subplots and a few predictable twists that dilute the impact of an otherwise clever setup.
Cinematography & Editing
Karan B. Rawat’s cinematography brings a stylish tone to the narrative, using vivid color palettes and quick cuts to reflect the chaos and charm of Arjun’s world. The casino and back-alley scenes are visually engaging.
Editing by Fenny Oliver is crisp in the first half but loses momentum in the latter portions, especially during the climax which feels unnecessarily stretched. Trimming 10–15 minutes could have improved the film’s overall pace.
Music & Background Score
The soundtrack by Justin Prabhakaran is light, breezy, and romantic, especially the melodic “Nee En Ace” which becomes the emotional anchor of the film. The songs are well-placed and don’t interrupt the flow.
Sam C. S. handles the background score with finesse, especially during the heist scenes and tense confrontations. His music elevates even some of the film’s slower sequences.
Strengths
- Vijay Sethupathi’s effortless performance
- Unique blend of romance and crime comedy
- Stylish cinematography and fresh music
- Witty dialogues and humorous moments
Weaknesses
- Overlong runtime and uneven pacing
- Predictable second half and weak villain arc
- Juggling multiple genres results in tonal inconsistency
Themes & Message
At its core, Ace is about redemption, second chances, and finding love in unlikely places. It reflects on how people, like cards, can have different faces—and how trust is a gamble in both crime and romance. While not overly philosophical, these themes give the film a narrative heartbeat.
Conclusion
Ace isn’t a perfect film, but it’s a watchable entertainer with plenty of style and heart. Vijay Sethupathi’s magnetic presence, combined with Arumuga Kumar’s genre experiment, makes for an engaging, if slightly uneven, cinematic ride. If you’re a fan of quirky rom-coms with a dose of crime and cleverness, Ace might just be the right hand to play this weekend.
BMR Rating: 7/10
A quirky, genre-blending entertainer held together by Vijay Sethupathi’s charm and stylish execution.