Karthik Subbaraj's Retro is a cinematic identity crisis that left me wondering if I'd just witnessed a prank. What begins with a promising, raw performance from Suriya's Paari quickly transforms into a chaotic mix of genres, tones, and illogical plot turns. The film operates on "dream logic," with inconsistent transitions, arbitrary character appearances, and jarring shifts, particularly with the abrupt introduction of spiritual elements that feel forced and out of place.

Suriya's dedicated performance is the film's only anchor, yet even he struggles to navigate a role that constantly demands different facets of him. His chemistry with Pooja Hegde is fleeting, never allowed to develop amidst the narrative's numerous tangents. The second half collapses entirely, descending into a "spiritual action thriller with cult elements" featuring cartoonishly evil villains and lazy writing.

Technically, Retro is just as confused. Visuals are inconsistent, color palettes shift without reason, and while Santhosh Narayanan's score tries to hold things together, it's constrained by the film's tonal chaos. A brilliant, extended single-take sequence early on hints at the film's potential, only to be immediately abandoned for more erratic storytelling. The incorporation of mythological elements feels hollow, sprinkled in without thematic purpose, and the supporting cast is largely wasted in underwritten roles.

At nearly three hours, the film squanders its runtime on tangents rather than developing its core ideas. It suffers from "kitchen sink syndrome," throwing in every concept imaginable - love story, action, spiritual journey, social commentary - without giving any the focus they need. The pointless cult subplot and wildly inconsistent action sequences further highlight the film's lack of coherent vision.

Retro is a missed opportunity, a cautionary tale of artistic ambition without restraint. Despite Suriya's efforts and one standout technical moment, the film is disappointingly mediocre. It serves as a comprehensive case study of a talented director losing his way, proving that clarity of vision triumphs complexity of execution every time. The movie also heavily shows Karthik Subbaraj's movie influences and tastes; I could visually see some old Hollywood movies through Retro, and it genuinely felt like a fever dream.