Mafia (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot
Mafia is a 2020 action drama directed by Karthick Naren, starring Arun Vijay as Aryan / Dexter, Inder Kumar and Thalaivasal Vijay. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes. Its Echo Score is 49/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 53m (113 min)
- Director
- Karthick Naren
- Original language
-
Tamil
- Studio
- Lyca Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Mafia About?
The premise of Mafia without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Mafia: Chapter 1 A narcotics officer engages in a cat-and-mouse chase to capture a powerful criminal kingpin.
Mafia Cast & Characters
Arun Vijay leads the cast as Aryan / Dexter, with Inder Kumar as Rudra, DK's brother and Thalaivasal Vijay as Mugilan. Directed by Karthick Naren; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Karthick Naren
- Arun Vijay as Aryan / Dexter
- Inder Kumar as Rudra, DK's brother
- Thalaivasal Vijay as Mugilan
- Bharath Reddy as Naveen
Also Starring in Mafia
· 6 more- Mathew Varghese Aryan's Father
- Prasanna Divakar Kumaran
- Priya Bhavani Shankar Sathya
- Rekha Suresh Aryan's mother
- Arul D. Shankar Selvam, Head of Aryan's team
- Dipshi Blessy Sowmya
More from Karthick Naren
One more film directed by Karthick Naren: Nirangal Moondru.
Mafia Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).
Mafia Echo Score Breakdown
In summary, Mafia delivers a mixed experience that leans toward disappointment. While certain visual moments and the final twist receive acknowledgement, the film is hampered by excessive slow‑motion, a stretched runtime, and uneven narrative momentum. Direction and editing choices often prioritize style over substance, resulting in a fragmented storyline. Audience enjoyment is likely limited to a single viewing for those interested in the climax, with little incentive for repeat engagement.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
The film’s craftsmanship is marked by striking color grading and occasional inventive camera angles, yet these strengths are offset by pervasive overuse of slow‑motion and uneven editing. Cinematography receives commendation for specific action set‑pieces, but the direction often mimics Western tropes without cohesion. Production design contributes to a polished look, but the overall visual execution feels inconsistent, leaving the artistic impact middling.
- Character & Emotion 45
Acting performances range from competent to uninspired, with Arun Vijay’s presence noted as suitably imposing while Prasanna’s portrayal garners modest approval. However, many characters lack depth, rendering them one‑dimensional and diminishing emotional resonance. Chemistry between leads receives scant attention, and several reviewers cite bland dialogue and static character arcs. Consequently, the character dimension leans toward the lower end of the scale.
- Story & Flow 45
The narrative unfolds as a thin cat‑and‑mouse chase that suffers from prolonged pacing and repetitive slow‑motion sequences. Reviewers highlight an elongated screenplay that could have been compressed, resulting in a story that feels stretched beyond its core material. Although the climax offers a surprising twist, the overall plot coherence and originality remain limited, leading to a modest story rating.
- Sensory Experience 55
Auditory elements oscillate between effective thematic cues and misplaced background scores, with occasional praise for the cowboy‑styled motif during pivotal moments. Sound design accentuates action but is frequently critiqued for intrusiveness due to over‑extended slow‑motion scenes. Visually, the film benefits from well‑executed close‑ups and distinctive color gradients that underscore tension. The sensory experience, therefore, is uneven, delivering pockets of strength amid broader inconsistencies.
- Rewatch Factor 40
Given its stretched runtime, repetitive stylistic choices, and a storyline that many find under‑developed, the movie offers limited incentive for multiple viewings. The climax provides a moment of intrigue that may entice a single revisit, yet the dominant perception is that the film functions as a one‑time watch. As a result, its rewatch factor is relatively low.
Mafia Plot Summary
What happens in Mafia from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mafia! unfolds like a sprawling, morally charged epic that stitches memory and motive together through a tapestry of flashbacks, echoing the cadence of classic crime sagas. Aryan Arun Vijay is introduced as the son of Vincenzo Armani Windbreaker Cortino, a formidable mafia boss. The film opens with Aryan stepping out of a Vegas casino, and a narrator lays bare his hard-edged philosophy on life. As he starts the car, it explodes in a sudden, shocking blaze, instantly pulling the rug from under the present moment and sending us spiraling into the past.
Full summary
The whole story of Mafia, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Mafia?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main protagonist of the film?
Mafia Also Known As
Also known as “Mafia: Chapter 1”.
- Also known as
-
- Mafia: Chapter 1
Seen Mafia?
Mafia FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Mafia, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Mafia?
Mafia runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).
When was Mafia released?
Mafia was released on February 21, 2020.
Who directed Mafia?
Mafia was directed by Karthick Naren.
More films by Karthick Naren Who is in the cast of Mafia?
Mafia stars Arun Vijay as Aryan / Dexter, Inder Kumar as Rudra, DK's brother and Thalaivasal Vijay as Mugilan, among 10 credited actors.
Does Mafia have a post-credit scene?
No. Mafia has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Mafia in?
The original language of Mafia is Tamil.
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