- Release Date: 07/11/2024
- Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- Runtime: 42 – 54 Minutes
- Cast: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kay Kay Menon, Simran Bagga, Sikandar Kher, Saqib Saleem
- Creator: Raj and DK
Sensational Action Underscores This Fun Spy Thriller That’s More Bunny Hop Than Bold Leap
Citadel: Honey Bunny is a spinoff/prequel to Citadel (2023, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas), which was rumoured to be the costliest series ever made. The story focuses on two secret agents, Honey (Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and Bunny (Varun Dhawan), who are in love with each other and cinema. They are brought together by fate to carry out secret missions for an agency headed by the charismatic but questionable Guru (Kay Kay Menon). Initially, things look promising for Honey. After struggling for many years to find her purpose in life, Honey finally feels at peace with her work. However, that peace is short-lived. During a mission in Belgrade, she encountered a professor who was developing a technology that could revolutionize both social and national security. Her mission is to neutralize the professor and secure the technology, thereby preventing it from falling into the hands of a rival agency. Honey is forced to decide whether this individual is the villain that Guru and Bunny claim him to be or if he is genuinely working for the betterment of the world. The decision that she makes will go on to shape her and Bunny’s world forever.
If Action Alone Could Make a Series Successful, This Would Be the Biggest Hit of The Year:
I walked into this with very specific expectations. I wanted the action to be elaborate, well-choreographed, unique and, even better executed. While there are fewer action sequences than I had expected, I must admit that the action is some of the best that I’ve seen on Indian television in recent times.
Raj and DK draw inspiration from Sam Hargrave’s work in “Extraction”, utilizing long takes and a dynamic, immersive style of action. The violence offers a “being in the moment” perspective, with constantly shifting points of view, impactful encounters within a single large-scale conflict, and an impressive variety of weapons used, each contributing to the unique flavour of the action sequences.
Special emphasis is placed on hand-to-hand combat, with the actors bringing a commendable level of physicality to these scenes. The violence feels visceral and authentic, making the chaos and pressure experienced by the characters palpable to the audience. Honey and Bunny, as highly trained agents, showcase their skills by using their surroundings and available resources in imaginative ways to outwit their enemies. The best example of this can be seen in the climactic battle, where the duo faces off against an army of villains.
Vehicular warfare also plays a role in the proceedings, used sparingly but effectively where the story demands it. While the “Fast and Furious” films may have explored almost everything related to vehicular mayhem, “Honey Bunny” still manages to leave an impression with its own brand of action-packed chase sequences. These moments not only thrill but also drive the story forward, adding depth to the narrative at critical points.
The Story Is Intriguing, And the Storytelling Is Enjoyable, Even Though It Isn’t Ground-Breaking:
Considering that “Citadel” was unremarkable in terms of storytelling and was largely panned by fans of the genre, I wasn’t expecting much from the prequel. However, I must admit that the screenplay surprised me with its surprisingly layered and engaging narrative. It could have been even more impactful if not for an unexpected flaw, which I’ll discuss later in the review.
The series explores several emotionally potent aspects, such as the relationship between Honey and Bunny, their conflicts, and a major secret that Honey keeps from Bunny. Additionally, the dynamic between Guru and Bunny could have reached greater emotional depth but still added significant gravitas to the story. Furthermore, the bond between Honey and her daughter, Nadia, and her ties to a certain royal family contribute to the story’s dramatic and emotional impact.
That said, “Honey Bunny” is fundamentally a spy action-thriller, and it wouldn’t be complete without elements of thrill and surprise woven into the narrative in copious amounts. Thankfully, the story has enough intrigue and twists to keep the audience hooked. While it does become somewhat predictable by the halfway point, and even the toggling between past and present timelines doesn’t entirely hide its direction, the storytelling remains engaging enough. I was still invested in the characters and curious about their fates, which is a commendable achievement.
Raj and DK bring their signature style and deft touches to the screenplay, making the presentation far more enjoyable than it might have been in the hands of other creators. Their unique approach adds a level of fun and charm that elevates the overall experience.
Non-existent Character Development, Lack of Drama, Lacklustre Writing, and Some Poor Performances:
I never thought I’d be writing about these in my review, but these issues turned out to be the biggest hurdles in enjoying the series as much as I had hoped. The character development and the drama between them were surprisingly poor, underdeveloped and sometimes just bad. The writing falters at critical moments, where powerful exchanges and drama are needed—moments that should have depicted difficult choices or painful realisations with power. Unfortunately, these scenes fail to evoke any emotional weight or impact, making the unfolding tragedies fall flat.
Character development is equally lacking. The tonal shifts in characters’ behaviour between scenes are jarring and inconsistent. Varun Dhawan tries his best to make his character and conflicts feel authentic, but the weak writing undermines his efforts. His camaraderie with Samantha Ruth Prabhu is one of the worst casualties of this poor writing. There’s no chemistry or emotional depth to their romance, making it increasingly unconvincing as the story progresses. The things they say and do to each other feel hollow, and the absence of meaningful development in their relationship makes their interactions feel forced. Samantha’s monotonous and uninspired performance further diminishes what little credibility the romance had, significantly dragging down the series’ impact. Prabhu’s inability to emote throughout was a huge surprise for me.
Even the scenes between Kay Kay Menon and Varun Dhawan should have been disarming due to Menon’s character’s duality and Dhawan’s blind faith in him, which lacks energy and power. Their exchanges and dialogues feel superficial and scripted, devoid of genuine emotional resonance or conviction in their delivery.
Saqib Saleem’s KD had the potential to be a compelling villain, but he’s reduced to a one-dimensional antagonist. He spends most of his screen time huffing and puffing, being a villain simply because the directors decided that he should be. His motivations are poorly developed, relying on vague “daddy issues” and jealousy that are never adequately explored. His actions, including a pivotal decision near the climax, lack proper explanation, leaving the audience confused about his purpose and relevance.
Typically, I wouldn’t delve this deeply into the storytelling, characters, and drama of a fun spy thriller, as these aspects aren’t usually make-or-break issues for me in this genre. However, Raj and DK chose to emphasize these elements, weaving them prominently into the narrative. As such, it has become necessary to critique these shortcomings, which contribute significantly to the series’ overall failure.
Final Words:
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“Honey Bunny” is an enjoyable yet disposable piece of entertainment. With only six episodes, it’s a breezy watch featuring terrific action, at least three great-looking stars—who, while not delivering their best performances, are charming enough to hold your attention—and some decent twists and turns to keep you hooked for a late-night binge. That’s exactly how I watched it.
However, when viewed critically, the flaws become glaringly apparent. For fans of the spy thriller genre who have seen various iterations of its themes and tropes, there’s little novelty to explore here. It doesn’t break new ground or offer anything unique. Ultimately, It is strictly a one-time watch—worth it for the action, some intrigue in the story, and the star power of its ensemble cast.
Rating: 3/5 (3 out of 5 Stars)
The views expressed in this article are that of the reviewer and do not reflect EastMojo’s position.
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