Reported by Ashwini Kumar

Rating: 2.5 stars 

Heart Of Stone Review: International spy thrillers often follow a familiar formula, seen in movies like the Mission Impossible franchise. These films usually involve glamorous yet dangerous locations, a mission to save the world, a traitor within the spy team, and non-stop action that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Netflix’s latest international offering, “Heart of Stone,” largely adheres to this template, adding Bollywood star Alia Bhatt to the mix and boasting a substantial budget of $130 million (approximately Rs 1045 crore).

The film kicks off in Italy, where MI6 sets a trap to capture an international arms supplier. The mission is led by Parker (Jamie Dornan) and Theresa (Xing Lusi).

During the operation, MI6’s desk hacker Rachel (Gal Gadot) is thrust into the field, and her true identity is revealed: she’s part of The Charter, a secretive organization of international spy agents armed with cutting-edge technology called the ‘Heart.’ This ‘Heart’ can hack any system, predict actions, and essentially control the world.

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As the story unfolds, conspiracies to obtain the ‘Heart’ escalate. Parker betrays MI6 and partners with Keya Dhawan, played by Alia Bhatt, to destroy The Charter and seize control of the ‘Heart.’ The plot becomes predictable from here on, with the film’s impressive budget, star-studded cast, and grand production succumbing to a familiar storyline.

Despite the lack of suspense, the film’s action sequences stand out and manage to keep viewers engaged. The background score complements the action effectively. However, director Tom Harper, known for his work on shows like Peaky Blinders and The Aeronauts, attempts to infuse style into the story, but the lack of suspense hampers his efforts.

Gal Gadot delivers a solid performance as Rachel, injecting depth into the character, although her charisma doesn’t shine as much as expected. Jamie Dornan’s portrayal of the villain falls somewhat flat.

The highlight, of course, is Alia Bhatt’s Hollywood debut. While her involvement adds interest, the film still falls short in delivering the excitement that a spy thriller should.

In conclusion, “Heart of Stone” offers a mix of action and espionage, supported by a remarkable budget and cast, but its predictable plot and lack of suspense hold it back. Alia Bhatt’s debut, though noteworthy, isn’t enough to elevate the film beyond its formulaic elements.