Vibe Movie Review: Kunal Kemmu's Spy Comedy—Worth the Watch?

Released in theaters on September 18, 2026, Vibe is an ambitious spy-comedy that sees Kunal Kemmu taking on an unprecedented number of roles: writer, director, producer, and lead actor. While the film aims to blend high-stakes espionage with bumbling slacker humor, critical reception suggests it is a mixed bag of brilliant comedic timing and narrative indulgence.

Plot: From Corporate Cubicles to Global Terror

The story centers on Hardik (played by Kemmu), a "lazy underachiever" and "lovable loser" who spends his days mooching off his best friend, Bugs (Sparsh Shrivastava). The plot kicks off when Bugs helps Hardik land a job at a fancy software company, where Hardik falls for an intern named Kareena (Vanshika Dhar). However, the romance is quickly sidelined when the duo is accidentally embroiled in a global terrorist cell's plans.

This leads to their recruitment by Madam H (Preity Zinta), a top government official, to go undercover and thwart a threat known as "Operation Benaqab." Critics have noted that the film is "unapologetically The Family Man-coded" in its approach to spy apparatus and stakes, though it replaces the middle-class professionalism of that series with cowardly slackers.

The 'Kemmu Factor': Acting vs. Directing

Kunal Kemmu remains the film's strongest asset as an actor. His portrayal of Hardik is praised for its precision, with reviewers noting that "the smallest well-timed twitch on his face can elicit an instant chuckle" [1]. Sparsh Shrivastava also earns praise for his "perfectly calibrated straight man act" as Bugs [2].

However, Kemmu's dual role as director and producer has led to some structural issues. The film is described as a "director showreel," where Kemmu attempts to prove his capability as a slick action filmmaker. While the action sequences—including a long take through a terrorist camp—are impressive, they often clash with the comedy, leading to an uneven experience.

Vibe vs. Madgaon Express: A Comparison

Feature	Madgaon Express	Vibe (2026)
Comedy Consistency	Consistently hilarious	Works in fits and starts
Pacing	Tight and focused	Overlong (145 minutes)
Emotional Core	Strong friendship bond	Brotherhood feels underdeveloped
Plot Complexity	Straightforward chaos	Convoluted spy narrative

Key Criticisms and Highlights

• Pacing Issues: The first 30 minutes focus heavily on corporate life, delaying the spy plot. Critics argue the 145-minute runtime is "indulgent," suggesting it is a "100-minute movie in search of a befitting mission" [2].
• Convoluted Plot: The second half introduces dense elements involving AI-driven identity theft and the economics of terrorism, which some viewers found confusing.
• Cameos: The film features tactical casting for social media buzz, including appearances by Sharmila Tagore, Uorfi Javed, and Bhojpuri star Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua).

Ultimately, Vibe succeeds as a showcase for Kunal Kemmu's comedic versatility and technical growth as a director, even if it lacks the narrative restraint of his previous work.