Spyder (2017) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 5 May 2026
Spyder (2017) Review
Spyder (2017) is a Tamil action, crime, thriller film starring Mahesh Babu, Rakul Preet Singh, S. J. Suryah. Directed by A. R. Murugadoss. A surveillance expert who wants to help people comes across a foe who is the very definition of evil. Can he stop the man before he destroys everything? Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 26 Sept 2017. Runtime: 2h 25m.
Spyder(2017)
Tamil · Action, Crime, Thriller
2h 25m · 26 Sept 2017
Music: Harris Jayaraj | DOP: Santosh Sivan | Writer: A.R. Murugadoss, Gopal Ram
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
📖 Story
Spyder follows the story of Shiva, an intelligence officer who uses his technical skills to track and prevent crimes. When a serial killer targets innocent people, Shiva embarks on a mission to stop him, uncovering a personal connection in the process. The narrative weaves action, suspense, and emotional elements as Shiva balances his professional duties with his personal life.
Spyder offers a blend of high-octane action and emotional drama, anchored by a premise that combines technology with crime investigation. The story attempts to maintain suspense throughout, but the screenplay suffers from uneven pacing, particularly in the first half where the setup feels prolonged and occasionally drags. The second half picks up momentum with tighter sequences and more engaging confrontations, providing a satisfactory resolution.
The film's songs and music by Harris Jayaraj are situational but do not leave a lasting impact, with the background score being more effective in heightening tension during thriller moments. Cinematography by Santosh Sivan is a highlight, capturing urban landscapes and action sequences with finesse. Overall, while Spyder has its moments of thrill and emotional depth, the inconsistent screenplay and pacing prevent it from fully realizing its potential.
Mahesh Babu: Charismatic and commanding as the protagonist, delivering a restrained yet impactful performance.
Rakul Preet Singh: Offers a charming presence but with limited scope in the narrative.
S. J. Suryah: Effective as the antagonist, bringing intensity and menace to the role.
RJ Balaji: Provides comic relief with timing that lightens the mood.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Strong lead performance by Mahesh Babu
- ✓Impressive cinematography by Santosh Sivan
- ✓Engaging second half with improved pacing
- ✓Effective background score enhancing thriller elements
Weaknesses
- ✕Uneven screenplay with a slow first half
- ✕Songs and music lack memorability
- ✕Predictable plot elements
- ✕Underdeveloped supporting characters
🎬 Direction & Writing
A. R. Murugadoss delivers a technically sound film with a solid concept but falters in screenplay execution. His direction maintains tension in key moments but struggles to balance narrative flow and character development evenly throughout the film.
📰 Critic Reviews
Spyder is not a wise choice for a subject involving a hero with superstar image and has resulted in pushing the superstar into an uncomfortable zone. Given the team of frontline technicians, highly respected director and the mighty Mahesh Babu, the film Spyder does not live up to the expectations. It is a pretty averag…
On the whole, Spyder is a decent action thriller which has some very interesting moments. Mahesh Babu’s rocking performance and Surya’s menacing act will surely impress you. But as the film has a routine and serious storyline, the class audience will lap it up but the mass audience might find it a bit difficult to dige…
The audio album of Superstar Mahesh Babu’s highly-anticipated spy-thriller, Spyder, was released yesterday in Chennai amidst huge fan fare. Here’s the review…
When you have a superstar like Mahesh and an alleged budget of 120 crores, one expects a film that matches the grandeur in terms of storytelling and subject. Spyder turned out to be a vigilante film with less scope for heroism. Hence there is a clear mismatch between expectations and deliverable. If you go as a normal…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2.5 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 3.25 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
🏆 Records & Box Office
- -
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 40% |
| Neutral | 35% |
| Negative | 25% |
Critics
Critics generally praised Mahesh Babu's performance and the technical aspects like cinematography and BGM but criticized the film's pacing and screenplay. The mixed reviews highlighted the film's potential but noted it fell short of expectations in narrative engagement.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Spyder release in theatres?▾
Spyder released on 26 September 2017 (2017).
Is Spyder a hit or flop?▾
Spyder is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
What is the budget of Spyder?▾
Budget of Spyder is approximately ₹120 Crore.
Where to watch Spyder online? OTT release date?▾
Spyder is available on Vi Movies and TV. OTT date will be updated soon.
Who directed Spyder?▾
Spyder directed by A. R. Murugadoss. Produced by N.V. Prasad, Tagore Madhu.
Who are the main cast members of Spyder?▾
Spyder stars Mahesh Babu, Rakul Preet Singh, S. J. Suryah, Bharath Srinivasan, RJ Balaji.
What is the Tollybo rating for Spyder?▾
Tollybo rates Spyder 2.5/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Who composed the music for Spyder?▾
Music for Spyder composed by Harris Jayaraj.
What is the genre and runtime of Spyder?▾
Spyder — Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Runtime: 145 minutes, Language: Tamil.