“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” a phrase we’ve heard a million times in reviews, might just be the perfect way to start talking about Marco. It feels as overused as the formula that drives this movie. Yet, there’s something about this film that warrants a closer look. Written and directed by Haneef Adeni, Marco tries to make its mark, and while it doesn’t completely succeed, it’s not a total miss either.
The plot follows Marco, played by Unni Mukundan, on a path of vengeance after the murder of his brother, Victor. The story takes us through a series of extremely violent and overly stylized confrontations, all driven by Marco’s thirst for payback and to subsequently protect his family. It’s a classic revenge drama at its core, but what makes it stand out is its attempt to push the boundaries of on-screen violence. That said, the story itself lacks depth, with its formulaic and often predictable narrative occasionally offset by some experimental elements.
Though Marco has been referred to as a spin-off of Mikhael, written and directed by Adeni, it charts its own path, creating a new world and dynamics, independent of Mikhael’s storyline.
Now, let’s talk about the execution. The film leans so heavily on its style and action sequences that it overshadows its narrative substance, relying on a predictable structure that feels overused. The violence in Marco is extreme—bordering on excessive—and arguably its only novel aspect. The film’s heavy reliance on graphic violence becomes its Achilles’ heel, with some sequences, particularly a 10-20 minute stretch, so intense that they might compel viewers to look away. The ‘A’ certification is well-deserved, and if you are squeamish, you might want to reconsider watching it.
In conclusion, Marco caters to fans of stylized action and intense violence. If you’re in the mood for something action-packed and don’t mind a formulaic story, this might be worth a shot. But in the end, there’s no denying that Marco is trying to do something very different within a familiar framework.
