Thamma (2025) Review – A Missed Opportunity in the Horror-Comedy Universe
Thamma, the latest entry in the growing horror-comedy universe that began with Stree and continued through Bhediya, unfortunately does not reach the standard set by its predecessors. While the expectations were high, the execution falls short in both storytelling and character depth.
Casting and Performances
The biggest drawback of Thamma is its casting. The main characters feel misaligned with their roles, and the performances struggle to create any emotional weight. The romance between Tadaka and Alok comes across as forced, mainly because there is no visible chemistry between the two. Unlike the effortless spark we witnessed between Rajkumar Rao & Shraddha in Stree and Varun Dhawan & Kriti Sanon in Bhediya, this pairing simply does not click.
Even Yakshasan, who is meant to be a powerful antagonist, is written weakly and barely utilized. Instead of being a terrifying supernatural force, the character ends up feeling like an afterthought.
Plot Contradictions and Narrative Issues
The narrative structure of Thamma feels uneven from the start. The pacing shifts randomly, and in an attempt to keep the audience engaged, the screenplay forcefully inserts Bhediya into the story. The confrontation scene between Alok (Betaal) and Bhediya feels added only to highlight the universe connection rather than support the story.
This scene also breaks the continuity of Stree 2. In Thamma, it is claimed that Bhediya was severely injured by Sarkata and lost his powers, but in Stree 2 we clearly see him still transformed and howling at the end, showing no signs of depletion.
This leads to another contradiction: we learn in Thamma that a drop of Betaal’s blood can amplify Bhediya’s strength, turning him into a vicious werewolf. So, the question remains—if this connection was always known, how did Dr. Anika guard an entire forest for years without encountering a Betaal, especially when her true identity was permanently that of a four-legged werewolf?
Details like this make the universe feel loosely written and less convincing.
World-Building Without Foundation
The script hints at the existence of an “Elder Thamma”, a dominant original Betaal who supposedly controls the lore. However, no backstory is given, and the mystery is introduced only to be dropped midway. With so many threads teased and never woven back, the film misses the chance to expand the universe in a meaningful way.
Visuals and CGI
The one redeeming element is the visual design. The CGI work is impressive in major sequences and does bring some scale to the film. The transformations and supernatural effects are polished and exciting to watch—but visual style alone cannot save an unsteady story.
Final Verdict
Thamma is watchable for its universe references and CGI spectacle but does not meet the expectations set by Stree and Bhediya. Forced character arcs, unclear mythology, weak villain writing, and mismatched chemistry make it a disappointing continuation.
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