Beebom Score
Tune into Netflix these days, and every second movie or TV show will be an action-fueled revenge drama. However, when I first chanced upon Havoc and saw it was directed by Gareth Evans, I knew it was going to be one hell of a ride. This new action movie on Netflix follows a troubled cop named Patrick Walker. Feeling aimless in life, Patrick finds a goal when Charlie, the estranged son of a politician, gets involved in a drug dealer’s murder case. Now, Walker must protect Charlie and his girlfriend from getting killed by the victim’s mother and her combatant army. Well, after 1 hour and 45 minutes of this movie, I have a few thoughts and then some. Keep reading as I tell you about this bloody journey in my full Havoc review.
A Bare-Bones Action Epic That Hits Hard
Coming from someone who gave us one of the best action-thriller franchises, The Raid, Havoc stands out as a straightforward tale of complete action, corruption, and redemption. We meet Walker, who is terrified of his past mistakes, and he gets involved in a brutal cat-and-mouse chase.
He doesn’t have an option to step back, as he must save Charlie and Mia, no matter what. The movie has a very tight runtime, i.e., 107 minutes, so Gareth didn’t stuff it with unnecessary drama; instead, he utilized every second of the film to make it an unflinching action saga.
Havoc features several sequences that give us chills, including the one where Ching kills Cortez and his wife Angela in the hospital. However, the massacre scene at the nightclub emerges as one of the best action scenes of the decade. Yes, the one that involved guns, blades, and some incredible moves. That was precisely the scene that brought out Tom Hardy’s true action-hero potential.
Well, while the straightforward approach doesn’t allow the film to feel dull even for a moment, the cost is weak world-building. We don’t get to connect with Walker emotionally, as the film doesn’t reveal anything about the man’s past, which haunts him every day and night. I mean, a protagonist with a troubled past, this should be public knowledge, right? Furthermore, I also felt that characters like Ellie remained underutilized.
A Cinematographic Mastery That Redefines Action
Do you wonder what makes the best and worst scenes of a project at times? It’s the camera work. And Havoc gives us a perfect cinematography experience. While most of the film’s action scenes are shot outside, the one that turned heads was filmed in a closed space, specifically a neon-lit nightclub.
It is much easier to adjust the frames in outdoor shoots, but when something needs to be filmed inside four walls, the chances of mistakes increase. So, isn’t it worth praising how the messiest and goriest action scene that takes place in the nightclub ended up becoming the most talked about one?
In most cases, it’s the soundtracks that make an action sequence gain praise, but Havoc stands out as an exception. That’s because, in this case, it’s the cinematography that made the scene so amazing. Thanks to Cinematographer Matt Flannery, who knew exactly how the film needed to be shot, whether it was zoom-ins, zoom-outs, slow motions, or camera angles, everything was top-notch. However, this was not fully a surprise, as anyone who has lived through The Raid has tasted this greatness before.
Tom Hardy’s Brilliant Performance Elevates a Thin Narrative
As mentioned above, the story isn’t extraordinary, but the action sequences are. While the action-heavy sequences won everyone’s heart, let’s not forget about the driving force, ie. Tom Hardy’s Patrick Walker. Even though Hardy is one of the most celebrated actors in the industry, I bet Tom Cruise and Keanu Reeves come to your mind more often, don’t they?
Well, I think he still has a long way to match Cruise’s magnetic energy, but he has somehow matched the one with the latter’s John Wick potential. Several fans believe Havoc’s Walker is pretty much similar to John Wick, and the duo may even be distant relatives.
Havoc has one of the thinnest storylines, but it wouldn’t have gained success without the action and Tom Hardy’s performance that supported it. Tom Hardy is an incredible actor, and Havoc proves that. Anyone can make a project with a strong script a success, but participating in one with a flawed story requires a lot of hard work. And no doubt Tom Hardy left no stone unturned here. Whether it’s the action hero persona or adding emotional layers to Walker’s character arc, he does an exceptional job.
A Storyline That Eventually Takes a Backseat
The one thing that I feel was highly ignored while crafting the action thriller is the storyline. It seems Gareth believed in Tom Hardy’s star power and his innovative take on action sequences; that’s why the lack of depth in the narrative didn’t bother him. While Havoc surely matches John Wick’s level in terms of action, I hope it could match in terms of story too. John Wick revolves around a man who seeks revenge after getting his car stolen and his dog killed. The film clearly explains the motivation behind John Wick’s determination to fight.
On the other hand, Walker in Havoc doesn’t have a huge motive; he’s just trying to protect someone with whom he has no connection. So, the film has a confusing premise that doesn’t stick with you for long, making it a one-time watch. Another thing that contributes to the weak plot is the lack of strong characters.
Walker is the main protagonist, but the film doesn’t give us any reason to feel anything about him. The other is Ellie, who seems to be a significant supporting character, but again, we are not given a chance to connect with her. To be precise, the supporting characters appear as random bystanders who were involved in the project and are part of the crowd.
Verdict: Should You Watch Tom Hardy’s Havoc?
Besides its a few faults, yes, Havoc should definitely be added to your watchlist if you’re a fan of action thrillers or Tom Hardy. Even though it doesn’t give us a story that will stick with us for a long time, it gives us a cinematic experience. Moreover, you’ll get to witness Tom Hardy in a brand new avatar. Gareth Evans and Tom Hardy have put their full potential into the film to make it a surprise for every action fan.
Besides that, after considering John Wick’s fanbase, I bet Havoc is the one that can become the next best action film of the decade. However, unlike John Wick, Havoc features more gory and brutal fights, and that makes it even better.
The biggest draw here is that we don’t have to step outside to enjoy the film; in fact, we just need to grab a cup of coffee and a plate of our favorite snacks, log in to our Netflix account, and that’s it. Trust me, you will not get up from your seats disappointed. The action-heavy scenes will push you to compare every upcoming action film with this one.
