Tamil cinema’s offbeat star Vijay Sethupathi is again back with Ace, a satirical mix of crime, comedy, and dark humor which was released in theaters on May 23, 2025. Directed by Arumuga Kumar, the movie held out the promise of a thrilling cocktail of suspense and humor but had a low-key run at the box office.
Now, less than a month since its theatrical release, Ace can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, giving viewers another opportunity to immerse themselves in its dark universe of failed heists and anarchy-ridden crime outfits. Vijay Sethupathi himself made the streaming release announcement on June 14, catching fans off guard with the unexpected drop.
The Plot: A Botched Heist That Spins Everything Sideways
At its core, Ace is a survival and self-discovery tale. Vijay Sethupathi stars as Kannan, or Bolt a man who wants a new beginning overseas. His prospects of a new life take a sharp turn when a botched heist brings him into the midst of a criminal underworld. Now, he’s not only running from crime he’s entangled in lies, threats, and personal conundrums.
The movie is infused with tension and dark humor, so that Kannan’s quest becomes as much one of survival as of introspection. Each turn propels him further into a maze of crime, betrayal, and unlikely partnerships, and the result is an interesting watch.
Star Power: Who's Who in Ace
While Ace revolves around Vijay Sethupathi’s ever-charismatic presence, he’s surrounded by a stellar supporting cast. Rukmini Vasanth, making her Tamil debut, delivers a noteworthy performance despite facing some challenges with lip-syncing.
The movie also has fan-favorite Yogi Babu, whose timing is off in the best possible way, much-needed in a dark narrative. He is Arivukarasa or Arivu, a volatile element who keeps the pace going. Supported by them, Babloo Prithiveeraj, BS Avinash, Divya Pillai, and Ramesh Thilak put depth in the story, each contributing to the world Kannan is helplessly stuck in.
Audience and Critics: Mixed Reactions but a Promising OTT Comeback
Even with an intriguing premise and the effortless charm of Vijay Sethupathi, Ace got mixed responses when it was screened in theaters. Although there were some who enjoyed its unconventional humor and intriguing crime turns, describing the film as a stress buster, others thought it was lacking in depth.
One of the fans said: “Nice move, anna! The first half is comedy, and the second half keeps you engaged with thrills.” Another was more lukewarm: “Worst movie. Music, acting, story everything felt off.”
Meanwhile, critics were lukewarm in their response, with ETimes giving it 3 out of 5 stars, applauding its performances but criticizing its lack of challenge on its actors. Vijay Sethupathi was praised for bringing effortless charisma to the role, similar to Kamal Haasan did in lighter films during the ’80s.
But with its release on Prime Video, Ace is now discovering a new audience who may enjoy its OTT-friendly storytelling a trend by which films fare poorly theatricals but pick up speed once streamed.
A Quiet Streaming Debut That's Still Making Waves
Curiously, Ace didn’t get the standard OTT promotional rampage. Prime Video hasn’t said anything about this release on Instagram or X (formerly Twitter), instead leaving it to Vijay Sethupathi’s social media post to create buzz. Irrespective of this under-the-radar launch, the movie is currently trending at #3 in India on the site indicating that fans and casual audiences are still watching.
Why You Should Watch Ace
In case you’re a fan of genre-crossing tales that combine crime, comedy, and survival, Ace could be a good choice for your weekend viewing. It’s a light-hearted crime thriller that asks little from the viewer but gives back keen moments of humor, good performances, and a compelling plot.
Whether you are a Vijay Sethupathi fanboy, a Tamil cinema enthusiast, or a viewer seeking a quirky OTT watch, Ace is a movie that is worth queuing up for.
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