Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Toxic’s Lavish Style Fails to Rescue Hollow Gangster Drama
Toxic is a long action movie set in Goa in 1947.
Yash plays Raya, a gangster who wants to control criminal businesses.
The movie has fighting, violence, glamour and expensive-looking sets.
The review says it looks stylish but does not tell a strong or believable story.
Raya’s relationships with his sister, women in his life and son are part of the plot.
The cinematography and production design are praised.
The music and pacing are criticized, and the movie is said to feel too long.
Kiara Advani is viewed as one of the better-used actors in the film.
Overall, the review says Toxic has impressive style but not enough substance.
Toxic follows Raya, a gangster seeking control of Goa’s underworld, opium and casino businesses in 1947.
The review says Yash’s dark, flamboyant performance and the film’s visual polish cannot overcome weak writing and an illogical screenplay.
Director Geetu Mohandas receives credit for staging an ambitious, large-scale action spectacle, but the narrative is described as hollow and uneven.
The film’s cinematography, production design and overall scale are praised, while its music, background score and nearly three-hour runtime are criticized.
Kiara Advani is singled out for a comparatively stronger role, while several other female characters are described as limited or poorly written.
- Who
- Yash stars as Raya, with Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and others in supporting roles; Geetu Mohandas directed the film.
- What
- Toxic is an action gangster drama about Raya’s attempt to control an underworld involving opium and casinos.
- When
- The story is set in 1947.
- Where
- Goa, which the film portrays as being under Portuguese rule.
- Why
- Raya seeks power over the underworld and its opium and casino businesses.
Film’s Strengths
Film’s Weaknesses
Visual presentation
Film’s Strengths
The film is described as lavish, atmospheric and visually striking, with strong cinematography, production design and large-scale action sequences.
Film’s Weaknesses
The review argues that stylish presentation, violence, glamour and sensuality are used in place of a substantial narrative.
Yash’s performance
Film’s Strengths
Yash is considered convincing in Raya’s dark and flamboyant avatar, and his star image gives the character screen presence.
Film’s Weaknesses
The character is said to lack the strong emotional foundation and relatable core that supported Yash’s larger-than-life role in KGF.
Ambition versus execution
Film’s Strengths
Geetu Mohandas is credited with attempting an ambitious gangster spectacle and staging several sequences on a large scale.
Film’s Weaknesses
The review says the visual promise does not translate into a compelling story, with uneven pacing, weak writing and an illogical screenplay.
- Film
- Toxic
- Lead actor
- Yash
- Setting
- Goa in 1947
- Central character
- Raya, a gangster pursuing control of the underworld
- Director
- Geetu Mohandas
- Runtime assessment
- Nearly three hours, according to the review
- Technical strengths
- Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography, production design and overall production values
- Main criticism
- The film is described as visually polished but weak in writing, logic, pacing and emotional substance
