Cocktail 2 has officially arrived on Netflix, bringing Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna and Kriti Sanon together for a Bollywood romantic drama centered around a complicated love triangle.
The movie, which was released in theaters in June before making its way to Netflix, follows two friends who decide to test the loyalty of one of their boyfriends.
And I’m just going to say it: I did not enjoy this movie.
That doesn't mean Cocktail 2 gets everything wrong. In fact, from a filmmaking perspective, there is actually quite a bit that works.
There’s Plenty to Like About Cocktail 2
Visually, the movie looks great. The sets are gorgeous, the pacing works well and the performances are strong across the board, smaller roles included.
The chemistry between the three main actors is also very believable.
Personally, I loved getting to see Shahid Kapoor step into another “chocolate hero” role. I’ve always enjoyed seeing him in these kinds of roles, and this was no exception.
The music is also pretty good overall, and when you put everything together, Cocktail 2 certainly delivers those big Bollywood romantic drama vibes.
Unfortunately, there was one major problem for me: the story.
The Story Just Didn't Work for Me
Despite enjoying many of the individual elements of the movie, I found the story problematic in a lot of ways.
It almost feels as though Cocktail 2 has been packaged to look modern and forward-thinking, but when you really examine the story underneath that packaging, it actually feels pretty backwards.
Even the central premise didn't completely make sense to me, and I didn't find it particularly believable.
I also wish we had gotten more backstory for Kriti Sanon's character. Having a little more context could have helped viewers understand her and her choices better.
By the time the movie reached its ending, I genuinely didn't know who I was supposed to be rooting for. I didn't know how I wanted the story to end because none of the possible outcomes felt particularly good.
And that's ultimately what made Cocktail 2 disappointing for me.
The movie has the right look. It has the music. It has strong acting. It has believable chemistry between its leads. It has the Bollywood romantic drama vibes you expect.
I just wish all those elements had been paired with a different story.
Cocktail 2 was positioned as a big movie for the summer, and unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me.
Cocktail 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
