Havoc, a neo-noir action thriller directed by Gareth Evans, features some slick action set pieces and Tom Hardy in top form but is weighed down by a predictable final stretch and underdeveloped characters.
The film begins with a gang of thieves, including Mia (Quelin Sepulveda) and Charlie (Justin Cornwell), pulling off a daring heist of stealing washing machines that conceal a major cocaine shipment. They manage to evade capture by a corrupt narcotics squad led by Vincent (Timothy Olyphant) and deliver the drugs to Tsui (Jeremy Ang Jones), head of the local triad, to repay a debt owed by Mia. However, Tsui and the enforcers are attacked and killed by a gang of masked assailants (who turn out to be Vincent and his men) with the assistance of Ching (Sunny Pang), a disgruntled triad member. During the shooting, Mia and Charlie escape but become primary suspects in Tsui’s murder, prompting Tsui’s mother, a Triad leader dubbed “Mother,” to arrive in the city and vow revenge. Meanwhile, a corrupt homicide detective, Patrick Walker (Tom Hardy), investigates the case alongside his rookie partner Ellie (Jessie Mei Li), eventually uncovering that Charlie is the son of Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker), a real estate mogul and a mayoral candidate whom Walker has secretly been working for, having previously secured his acquittal of a serious crime by blackmailing a district attorney. When Lawrence discovers his son’s participation, he orders Walker to find and protect him. As a result, he launches his inquiry, uncovering a vast network of corruption and conspiracy that engulfs the entire city.
Havoc weaves just enough complexity into its narrative to keep the audience engaged without tipping into confusion. Essentially, everyone is chasing Mia and Charlie: the Chinese triad wants vengeance, believing they murdered their leader’s son, and the crooked cops, led by Vince, want them because they are the only suspects who witnessed the police kill Tsui. Standing between them is Walker, tasked with protecting the fugitives from both factions. While Havoc avoids relying on elaborate twists or shocking revelations, its tight, breathless pacing keeps the tension alive and the audience invested.
As expected, the action is where the film hits its stride—a testament to Gareth Evans’ expertise and precisely why fans have followed his work since The Raid films. The results are mostly satisfying, especially a few standout action sequences—from the adrenaline-pumping opening chase to the electrifying club showdown and the intense cabin fight—all of which are shot with precision, packed with energy, and guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. These highly stylized sequences are brutal and gnarly, and the makers focus on authenticity over flair, moving away from the martial arts choreography that defined The Raid films. Instead, the action focuses on brute force and improvisation, with wide shots and long takes giving the audience a good feel for the setting and a muted, metallic color palette that lends the film its gritty style.
While the film delivers a few impressive action sequences, the climactic showdown falls surprisingly flat. Instead of escalating the intensity and stakes, it settles for a basic, uninspired shootout that diminishes the momentum built earlier. Ideally, the action should have grown bigger, bolder, and more impactful as the story progressed—but that upward trajectory never fully materializes. As a result, the film’s third act leaves much to be desired, falling short of a thrilling climactic action set piece or a distinctive action flair that Gareth Evans used to deliver so effortlessly.
Additionally, Havoc struggles with poor character development across the board, including both the lead, Walker, and the main antagonist, Vince. Walker finds himself caught up in the chaos, trying to save two strangers, Mia and Charlie. Yet, there are no compelling personal stakes or substantial emotional weight behind justifying risking his life, making it difficult for the viewers to root for him—or Mia and Charlie, for that matter. Furthermore, the reasoning for his involvement feels unsatisfactory, and his redemption arc is also unconvincing.
Tom Hardy carries the weight of the film on his shoulders and delivers a convincing performance as Walker, making the most of what he has to work with. He excels in the interrogation scenes, the action sequences, his interactions with colleagues like Ellie, and his tense moments with Vince, but a more fleshed-out character could have given the film a stronger emotional punch. Havoc is a decent film that keeps you interested but still leaves you feeling like it fell short of its full potential by the end.
Havoc movie links: Letterboxd, Wikipedia
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