Streaming on Netflix from April 25, 2025, Havoc is a full-energy ride for action thriller fans. Director Gareth Evans, who made an indelible impression on the hearts of movie lovers with the movie The Ride, wrote and directed this movie. With a star cast like Tom Hardy, Jessie Mai Lee, Timothy Olyphant, and Forest Whitaker, with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes, and Telugu dubbing, is there a chance that you will like this movie? What is the story, how did the actors do it, and how is it technically? Let's see in this review!
Story: From drug deal to conspiracies
The story of Havoc kicks off when a drug deal fails miserably. Detective Walker (Tom Hardy) descends into a city rife with corruption to save Charlie (Justin Cornwell), the son of a powerful politician (Forest Whitaker). On this journey, he encounters Triad gangs, corrupt cops, and political intrigue. What does Walker do in his attempt to save the city while battling the pain of his past? This story has action, drama, and a bit of thrill, but is it all equally worked out? Let's see!
Analysis: Action is intense, story is a bit slow
When I watched Havok, one thing became clear to me—Gareth Evans is a master at doing action scenes. The raw, brutal fights seen in The Raid are neat here too. A fight scene in a nightclub, and the final showdown in a lakeside cabin—both of these will have you on the edge of your seat. Evans presents the action scenes as an adventure ride, which is at its peak here. But the story is a bit letdown. With too many characters and subplots, the story becomes confusing at times.
The first hour felt slow, with the action starting a bit late. Some of the twists were complicated and the dialogues seemed routine at times. Compared to a simple, focused story like The Ride, Havok tried a complex story and couldn't balance it perfectly. The emotional connection wasn't there either. However, the action scenes and visuals made the movie a fun ride.
Actors: Tom Hardy alone is enough!
- Tom Hardy (Walker): Tom Hardy brought this movie to life. His roaring voice, intense looks, and body language made Walker super cool. He was impressive as a corrupt but good-hearted cop. His physical power in the fight scenes and depth in the emotional scenes took the movie to the next level. Without Hardy, Havok wouldn't have been as interesting.
- Jessie Mai Lee (Ellie): She did well as a young fighter who fights alongside Jessie Walker. She looked smooth in the action scenes and natural in the emotional scenes. But her character wasn't given much scope in the script.
- Timothy Olyphant (Dog): Olyphant did okay in his scenes as a corrupt cop, but his role was very small. If he had more screen time, he would have shined more.
- Forest Whitaker (Politician): Whitaker looked serious in his scenes, but his character didn't develop much. It feels like his talent wasn't used much.
Yo Yan Yan (Triad Boss): Yo Yan Yan looked intense as a villain, especially in the fight scenes.
Supporting Cast: Actors like Justin Cornwell and Quasi Songxi did okay in their roles, but their characters didn't really stand out in the film.
Technically: Visuals are amazing, CGI is a bit lacking
- Cinematography: Matt Flannery's cinematography is Havoc's biggest plus. He captures the dark, gritty vibe of the city brilliantly with neon lights, long takes, and close-ups. The colors in the nightclub scenes and the camera moments in the fight scenes were neat. Some of the day shots seemed a bit flat.
- Editing: The film felt half-hearted in terms of editing. The action scenes were edited fast and tight, but the transitions in the story scenes felt jumpy at some places. The draggy feel in the first hour was also due to the editing.
- Sound Design: The soundtrack was amazing! The electronic, pulsating score gave an extra kick to the action scenes. The gunshots and fight sounds were realistic and immersive. The Telugu dubbing also felt natural.
- CGI and VFX: This is where Havoc fell a bit short. The CGI was clearly visible in the opening car chase and some explosion scenes, reducing the realistic feel. Evans' films are usually heavy on physical stunts, but the heavy reliance on CGI here feels a bit disconnected.
- Production Design: The city's underworld setting, nightclubs, and dockyards are beautifully designed with a dark, neo-noir vibe. The costumes and sets are perfectly set to the mood of the film.
Highlights: Action, Hardy, Visuals
- Action Scenes: Nightclub fight, Lakeside showdown—both of these are Havok's best moments. Evans' choreography, long takes, and stunts are superb.
- Tom Hardy: Hardy alone carries the film. His physical and emotional range is amazing.
- Cinematography: Top-notch visuals with neon lights, dynamic shots.
- Soundtrack: Score that energizes the action scenes, realistic sound effects.
Flaws: Story, CGI, Pacing
- Story Confusion: Too many characters, subplots, the story loses clarity in some places.
- Slow Pace: The first 30 minutes feel like a slow drag.
- CGI flaws: The CGI is clearly visible in the car chase and explosions, reducing the realism.
- Emotional depth: Despite the flashbacks to Walker's past, the emotional connection is weak.
Who will like it?
If you like high-octane action films like John Wick, Extraction, The Raid, then Havok has a chance to make you enjoy it to the fullest. Gareth Evans' action style, Tom Hardy's brooding performance, and cool visuals make this a Friday night entertainer. But those expecting a strong story and emotional drama will be a bit disappointed.
Final Take
Havoc is a stylish, brutal thriller for action lovers. Gareth Evans’ action choreography, Tom Hardy’s dominating performance, stunning visuals, and sound design make the film an engaging experience. But the confusing story, CGI flaws, and lack of emotional connection keep the film from reaching the cult status of The Raid. If you want action and cool visuals, this is worth your time. If you're expecting a story and deep emotions, there's a chance you'll be a little disappointed.
Rating: 3/5