GOAT: Entertaining, But Leave Logic at the Door

Thalapathy Vijay’s latest offering, GOAT, sadly, doesn’t live up to the grandeur of its title. While the film promised much, it failed to deliver on several fronts, leaving me disappointed as much as I wanted to like it. The plot, or lack thereof, felt shallow and underdeveloped. The movie ultimately rested on the broad shoulders of its star protagonist, who undoubtedly captivated the audience with his screen presence and unmatched star power.

Performance-wise, the film was a one-man show, and while Vijay’s co-stars had brief moments to showcase their talent, the entire narrative was structured around him, leaving little room for anyone else to shine. Vijay played a double role—as both father and son—and despite the lack of a compelling story, it’s easy to see how far he’s come as an actor. The criticism he faced in earlier years seems distant, as he now confidently portrays two distinctly different characters with finesse.

As the father, Vijay is restrained, embodying a powerful yet reserved figure, akin to an old lion holding back his strength but ready to strike when necessary. As the son, he becomes a psychotic, one-dimensional villain whose sole mission is to destroy his biological father. Though the villainous role lacked depth and any real character arc, Vijay’s portrayal of the psychotic antagonist still made an impression.

It’s almost inevitable to compare Thalapathy to Superstar Rajinikanth in films like this. Directors often struggle to balance between fan service and telling their own story, and GOAT was no exception. The film leaned heavily into moments designed to thrill Vijay’s fanbase, packed with callbacks to his previous films and blatant signposting of his ambitions outside cinema, hinting at his move toward politics. While these meta-moments were fun at first, they eventually became too obvious, derailing the film’s narrative and leaving me feeling disconnected.

The songs didn’t leave much of an impression, but the background music—especially for both father and son—was a highlight, adding tension and energy to the scenes.

Spoiler alert: What left me completely baffled was the post-climax twist. The reveal that the ‘son’ was actually a clone, with the suggestion that more clones could be produced to defeat the father, left me scratching my head. This twist completely undermined the emotional build-up between father and son, making the climax feel hollow and inconsequential.

In terms of pure entertainment, GOAT delivers value for money. It’s packed with fan-pleasing moments, high-octane action, and enough thrills to keep the audience engaged. However, if you’re looking for a film that makes logical sense or has a coherent plot, this isn’t the movie for you. Logic takes a back seat, and the film relies heavily on spectacle and Vijay’s larger-than-life persona to pull it through.

In the end, GOAT is a film elevated solely by Vijay’s charisma. While die-hard fans of Thalapathy will undoubtedly hail it as a triumph, as an objective movie-goer, I found it slightly above average.