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Action drama

Mafia (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Mafia (2020) movie poster

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.

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Mafia (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Karthick Naren
Genres
Drama , Action
Original language
Tamil
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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.

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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Mafia

· 6 more
From the director

More from Karthick Naren

One more film directed by Karthick Naren: Nirangal Moondru.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mafia Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in art & craft (60) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

49 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Quiz

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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main protagonist of the film?

Details

Mafia Also Known As

Also known as “Mafia: Chapter 1”.

Also known as
  • Mafia: Chapter 1

Seen Mafia?

FAQ

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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