Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- melancholic
- haunting
- late night thriller viewing
- serious film night
What critics said
Critics generally found Khufiya to be a well-made, restrained espionage drama whose strongest qualities are its female performances, emotional dimension, and attention to professional detail, though its length and contrivances were noted weaknesses.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Krishna's professional pursuit of a mole is interwoven with love, family pressures, and personal loss.
Krishna is explicitly torn between being a spy and being a lover, while the story centers emotionally conflicted women.
The espionage mechanics are treated simply and directly, with attention to professionalism and what characters leave unsaid.
Krishna must identify the operative selling defense secrets while the film withholds and suggests character motivations.
Films like Khufiya, and why
Raazi
female-led espionage, divided loyalties, and intimate emotional stakes within a security operation
Special 26
grounded indian spy thriller with restrained suspense and morally conflicted protagonists
The Lives of Others
psychological espionage drama emphasizing personal sacrifice over flashy action
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
stylized spy narrative combining institutional secrecy with romantic and family tension
Movie Details
- Director
- Vishal Bhardwaj
- Release Date
- 2023-10-05
- Runtime
- 158 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (57)
Cast
- Tabu
- Ali Fazal
- Wamiqa Gabbi
- Ashish Vidhyarthi
- Atul Kulkarni
- Navnindra Behl
- Shataf Figar
- Azmeri Haque Badhon
- Lalit Parimoo
- Rahul Vohra
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Khufiya about?
- An R&AW operative hunts a defense-secrets mole while her covert vocation collides with love, family, and private grief.
- What is Khufiya like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Khufiya as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Khufiya violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Khufiya as moderate.
- What did critics think of Khufiya?
- Critics generally found Khufiya to be a well-made, restrained espionage drama whose strongest qualities are its female performances, emotional dimension, and attention to professional detail, though its length and contrivances were noted weaknesses.
- Which films are like Khufiya?
- Films with a similar feel include Raazi, Special 26, The Lives of Others, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
- How long is Khufiya?
- Khufiya runs 158 minutes.
- Where can I watch Khufiya?
- In United States, Khufiya streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
