PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Havoc is a new, fast-paced, style-over-substance thriller from director Gareth Evans, best known for his masterfully brutal The Raid series. Evans undoubtedly knows how to construct and execute intense, kinetic action scenes. His background in action choreography and eye for dynamic cinematography are on full display here. The visuals are sleek, the camera work is energetic, and the action is often beautifully brutal. However, despite all of this technical prowess, Havoc stumbles where it counts most: character development and emotional engagement.
The film stars Tom Hardy, who has spent the better part of the last decade attached to the Venom franchise. Unfortunately, in Havoc, it still feels like he’s channeling Eddie Brock. The script doesn’t offer Hardy much of a character arc or emotional range to work with. He grunts, fights, and stares blankly into the distance, which may satisfy some fans of his gruff persona, but ultimately leaves the performance feeling one-note. There’s little to no insight into his character’s motivations, fears, or background. It’s as if he’s merely there to punch, kick, and grimace his way through the film.
Timothy Olyphant also appears in a supporting role, though his character feels more like a placeholder than a meaningful addition to the story. It’s the kind of role that could’ve been filled by almost anyone, and it’s clear that the casting was likely aimed at boosting the film’s marketability rather than enriching the narrative. The film assembles a number of familiar faces, but doesn’t use them to their potential, resulting in a star-studded cast that ultimately feels wasted.
Violence is abundant in Havoc. It’s relentless, gory, and often surreal—complete with chaotic car chases, gritty hand-to-hand combat, and gunfights that seem to last forever. At times, the sheer intensity starts to numb the viewer. It becomes reminiscent of a Michael Bay film—loud, explosive, and spectacular, but hollow. The lack of character depth or emotional stakes makes it hard to stay invested beyond the surface-level thrills.
What Havoc does have going for it is its pace. It moves quickly and never really slows down, which might work well for viewers simply looking for an adrenaline rush. But the trade-off is a story that feels thin and underdeveloped. There’s little time given to fleshing out the world or the people in it, and as a result, it’s hard to care about what happens to any of them.
Ultimately, Havoc serves as yet another reminder that a talented cast and stylish direction aren’t enough to carry a film. While Gareth Evans still displays an impressive command of action filmmaking, the film lacks the soul and structure needed to elevate it beyond a forgettable genre exercise. For all its visual flair, Havoc fails to deliver a story or characters worth caring about. It’s entertaining in bursts, but not impactful—and certainly not memorable.
Havoc is streaming now on Netflix.
