Citadel : Honey Bunny Review- A modest spy thriller that will likely appeal most to Samantha's fans.

Show Name : Citadel: Honey Bunny

Release Date : November 07, 2024

Rating:- 2.5/5

The much-anticipated Indian spin-off Citadel: Honey Bunny has finally dropped on Amazon Prime Video, featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Varun Dhawan in the lead roles. The series, helmed by acclaimed directors Raj & DK, has generated considerable buzz, especially as it outshines the previous entries in the global Citadel franchise. This show proves more emotionally engaging than its Italian counterpart, Citadel: Diana, and offers a more compelling narrative than the original American series starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Sticking to the familiar Citadel formula—charming lead stars, high-stakes spycraft, rapid action, and cutting-edge tech—Honey Bunny delivers an easily digestible plot packed with entertainment. Yet, despite all the glitz and intrigue, the show falters at the writing level, weaving a familiar spy narrative that leans on genre clichés.

Set across dual timelines, 1992 and 2000, the plot unravels through flashbacks, revealing the origins of Honey and Bunny, Samantha and Varun’s characters, who meet as colleagues in 1990s Bollywood. Honey, a struggling artist, finds herself caught in the pitfalls of a stagnant career, while Bunny, a fearless stuntman, secretly works as an undercover agent for a covert agency led by Vishwa (Kay Kay Menon). Observing Honey's struggle, Bunny decides to recruit her into the agency, much to Vishwa's disapproval.

The duo is soon dispatched on a mission to retrieve "Armada," a powerful surveillance device. When the mission goes sideways, the fallout drives a wedge between them, setting them on separate paths. Eight years later, Honey lives a quiet life in hiding with her daughter Nadia (Kashvi Majmundar) until her past resurfaces, drawing her back into the world of espionage as Vishwa's agents close in on her.

Written by Raj & DK along with Sita R Menon, Honey Bunny presents an ill-fated romance cloaked in espionage. Though intricate at times, the story ultimately proves to be straightforward. The first three episodes feel sluggish, weighed down by twists that lack punch. However, the narrative gains momentum in the fourth episode, introducing fierce rival agencies, betrayal, and double-crosses, while the chemistry between Honey and Bunny remains a central pull. Their complex, ever-shifting bond hints at an enduring love and keeps the audience hooked.

Through carefully timed reveals, the show balances action with suspense, leaving viewers to wonder about the secrets Honey is hiding. Although the screenplay does exhibit flashes of cleverness, Honey Bunny falls short on the thrills and gripping action typical of spy thrillers. Samantha and Varun deliver decent performances, and while the show may appeal to Samantha's fans, action aficionados might find it lacking in excitement. An average spy thriller at its best. Don't expect too much.