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Action thriller

Leo (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Leo (2023) movie poster

Leo is a 2023 action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, starring Joseph Vijay as Leo Das, Parthiban, Trisha Krishnan and Mathew Thomas. It runs 2 hours 44 minutes and earned $7 million worldwide. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
82%
worldwide gross
$7M
Echo Score
81
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Leo (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 44m (164 min)
Director
Lokesh Kanagaraj
Genres
Action , Crime , Drama , Thriller
Original language
Tamil
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Leo About?

The premise of Leo without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the volatile region of Kashmir, café owner Parthiban's quiet life is shattered when he becomes the target of a dangerous gang. He finds himself embroiled in a deadly conflict involving a powerful drug cartel, forcing him to confront a murky past he thought he’d left behind. As he struggles to survive, Parthiban must navigate a world of high-stakes danger and fight to protect himself and those he cares about.

Leo Themes & Keywords

· 41 tags
  • action hero
  • one word title
  • intermission
  • violence
  • extreme violence
  • graphic violence
  • bloodshed
  • fight
  • gory violence
  • husband wife kiss
  • one person army action
  • husband wife relationship
+29 more
  • hyena
  • emotional breakdown
  • opening action scene
  • murder
  • disarming someone
  • fistfight
  • one man army
  • one against many
  • robbery
  • brawl
  • hand to hand combat
  • martial arts
  • knife
  • knife fight
  • shootout
  • gunfight
  • showdown
  • pistol
  • police shootout
  • flashback
  • telling a story
  • kiss
  • limb ripped off
  • fingers cut off
  • gangster crime
  • epic action
  • lokiverse
  • character name in title
  • plot twist
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Cast & crew

Leo Cast & Characters

Joseph Vijay leads the cast as Leo Das, Parthiban, with Trisha Krishnan as Sathya and Mathew Thomas. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Lokesh Kanagaraj

More films directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, best-rated first: Vikram, Coolie, Kaithi and Maanagaram.

Full filmography
Ratings

Leo Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Leo 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in rewatch factor (88) and weakest in story & flow (72).

81 /100

Leo Echo Score Breakdown

Leo delivers a high‑octane experience anchored by confident direction and striking visuals, while Vijay's performance adds emotional weight. Critics highlight the film's kinetic camera work and energetic editing, though several note an overstretched flashback that disrupts narrative flow. The soundtrack and sound design are praised for amplifying tension, and the action set‑pieces sustain audience interest across multiple viewings. Overall, the strengths in craft and star power outweigh the structural flaws, resulting in a solid, repeatable thriller.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 84

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels with bold camera movements, dynamic cutting, and polished production design that evoke a trailer‑like intensity. Critics repeatedly cite the visual‑first approach and stylish action choreography as highlights. Minor criticisms focus on exaggerated set‑pieces and a weak flashback sequence, but these do not significantly diminish the overall technical proficiency. The net impression is that the craft is a strong, if occasionally overblown, foundation.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, Vijay's layered performance is consistently praised as powerful and nuanced, providing the film's emotional core. Supporting roles receive mixed remarks, with some reviewers calling them hollow, yet the lead’s presence compensates for this shortfall. The ensemble chemistry is generally seen as solid, and the protagonist’s arc resonates despite narrative gaps. Overall, character work is a notable strength anchored by the star’s performance.

  • Story & Flow 72

    The story and flow present a blend of engaging thriller elements and occasional narrative missteps. Reviewers applaud the first‑half pacing, original twists, and a compelling climax, but many cite the flashback segment as under‑developed and disruptive. The plot’s homage to History of Violence is viewed as both an asset and a source of unevenness. Consequently, the storyline is regarded as mostly effective, though hindered by a few structural weaknesses.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    Sensory experience receives strong affirmation, with the soundtrack and sound design repeatedly highlighted for heightening tension and driving momentum. Critics describe the music as initially cheesy but ultimately memorable, and the visual style as striking and cohesive. While a few note occasional tonal inconsistency, the overall auditory and visual palette enhances the film’s impact. The consensus is that the sensory components substantially elevate the viewing experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 88

    Rewatch factor is emphasized by reviewers who find the film endlessly entertaining and capable of sustaining interest on repeat viewings. The brisk pacing, high‑energy action, and memorable performances encourage multiple watches, and several users label it a lasting addition to the genre. Minor narrative flaws do not deter its replay value, leading to a strong overall impression of long‑term appeal.

Plot

Leo Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Leo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Parthiban “Parthi” (Joseph Vijay](/actor/joseph-vijay)) is a dedicated animal rescuer and cafe owner living a seemingly peaceful life in Theog, Himachal Pradesh, alongside his wife, Sathya, his teenage son Siddharth “Siddhu” (Mathew Thomas), and his daughter Mathi “Chintu” (Iyal). One day, Parthi receives a call from his friend, Joshy Andrews, a forest ranger, who seeks his help in taming a dangerously rabid spotted hyena that has been terrorizing the town. This hyena has already attacked several people, and the local police are reluctant to intervene, leaving the townsfolk in a state of panic.

Full summary

The whole story of Leo, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Leo Box Office

Leo grossed $7 million worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$7M

International
$7M
Videos

Leo Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 4 clips.

All 6 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Official Teaser
  • Clip Escape - Official Clip
  • Clip Leo Roasts the New Fifth Grade Class
  • Clip Party Animals Break Out
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Leo?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Where does Parthiban live?

Cars

Cars in Leo

9 cars on screen, including the 2008 Blue Bird Vision and the 2006 Hyundai Accent.

All 9 cars
  • 2008 Blue Bird Vision in Leo 2008 Blue Bird Vision Important role
  • 2006 Hyundai Accent in Leo 2006 Hyundai Accent Minor role
  • 2011 Kia Sedona in Leo 2011 Kia Sedona Minor role
  • Pontiac Unknown in Leo Pontiac Unknown Minor role

Seen Leo?

More like this

Movies Like Leo

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Baaghi, Indian and Samrajyam.

FAQ

Leo FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Leo, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Leo?

Leo runs 2 hours 44 minutes (164 minutes).

When was Leo released?

Leo was released on October 18, 2023.

Who directed Leo?

Leo was directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj.

More films by Lokesh Kanagaraj

Who is in the cast of Leo?

Leo stars Joseph Vijay as Leo Das, Parthiban, Trisha Krishnan as Sathya and Mathew Thomas, among 19 credited actors.

How much did Leo make at the box office?

Leo grossed $7 million worldwide.

How is Leo rated?

Leo has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 73% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Leo have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Leo has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

What language is Leo in?

The original language of Leo is Tamil.

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