Jailer 2 Twitter reviews: 'Highly engaging' or 'dead slow'? What fans are saying about Rajinikanth's film's first half

Rajinikanth is back as Muthuvel Pandian in Jailer 2, and the sequel has sparked sharply contrasting reactions from moviegoers on its opening day. While some viewers have praised Nelson Dilipkumar’s comedy, mass sequences and interval block, others have called the first half slow and disappointing. The film opened amid huge excitement in Chennai, where fans queued outside theatres for early morning shows. With social media users sharing their first impressions, the initial verdict on the much-awaited action entertainer appears divided.

Jailer 2 first reviews: ‘Highly engaging’ or ‘dead slow’?

Early reactions to Jailer 2 have ranged from enthusiastic praise to disappointment. One social media user, reviewing the first half on X, applauded the superstar title card, Nelson’s witty comedy, the bridge sequence, the tea stall scene and the interval block. Calling the opening half “highly engaging”, the user praised the director’s treatment and ended the post with an enthusiastic reference to the film’s mass appeal.

However, another viewer had a very different take. The user described the first half as “dead slow” and said it was highly disappointing, complaining about the lack of twists. Comparing the film to a highway with no turns, the viewer suggested that even Rajinikanth’s screen presence could not rescue it, adding that “disaster” was on the cards.

Jailer 2 reviews: Viewer calls it ‘banger entertainment’

Not all reactions have been negative. One viewer described the film as a “banger entertainment” and advised audiences not to expect it to reach the highs of the original Jailer, while adding that the sequel was not a letdown either. The user called it solid entertainment and suggested that the film’s conflict was more expansive this time, with neither the enemies nor the allies limited to a single side.

Another X user gave Jailer 2 a commercial rating of 4 out of 5 and a content rating of 3.75 out of 5. The viewer said the sequel “definitely breaks the part 2 curse”, although the second half dipped because of emotional scenes and a lack of comedy. According to the same review, the mass sequences compensated for those shortcomings. The viewer also described the cameos by HRK and VJS as decent and urged audiences to “give Nelson the commercial crown”.

One commented, "#Jailer2 1st half is all pure hilarious treatment 2nd half pure mass elevation and one emotional scene in 2nd half makes u cry . tiger comes back in the climax and Nelson is hitting sixer all along in the climax. And having a major Star cast he used them all like vp."

Venky Reviews rated Jailer 2 2.5 out of 5, describing it as a familiar commercial entertainer with a strong first half but an underwhelming second half. In a post on X, the reviewer praised Nelson’s trademark comedy, Rajinikanth’s screen presence and Anirudh’s background score. However, the writing was said to weaken as the film progressed, with the villain tracks featuring SJ Suryah and Vidya Balan feeling “tiring and impactless”. The cameos were also criticised for functioning more as plot devices than memorable highlights, making the sequel entertaining only in stretches and ultimately an average follow-up.

What is Jailer 2 about? Cast and returning characters

Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, Jailer followed Muthuvel Pandian, nicknamed Tiger, a former prison officer who enjoyed a quiet family life until his son was kidnapped and presumed killed. The incident pulled him back into the criminal underworld, leading to a violent chain of events. The film’s climactic twist, in which a father kills his own son, remains one of its most discussed moments in Kollywood. In Jailer 2, Rajinikanth returns as Muthuvel Pandian, with the sequel continuing the story of the character. Nelson reunites with music composer Anirudh Ravichander and returning cast members Ramya Krishnan, Yogi Babu, Shivarajkumar and Mohanlal, among others.

The sequel also brings in several new faces, including Suraj Venjaramoodu, S J Suryah, Vidya Balan, Vijay Sethupathi and Mithun Chakraborty.