Gareth Evans, the acclaimed director revered for his visceral, bone-crunching "The Raid" films, makes his highly anticipated return with "Havoc" (2025). Released globally on Netflix on April 25, 2025, this action thriller plunges audiences into a shadowy criminal underworld with uncompromising ferocity. Written and directed by Evans, and produced by Severn Screen, One More One, and XYZ Films, the movie stars a formidable ensemble including Tom Hardy as a tormented detective, Patrick Walker, alongside Jessie Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, and Forest Whitaker. The plot ignites when Walker, a homicide detective estranged from his family and secretly on the payroll of real estate tycoon Lawrence Beaumont, is tasked with finding and protecting Beaumont’s son, Charlie, who is accused of a Triad murder. What unfolds is a relentless descent into corruption, betrayal, and relentless violence.
Genre:Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
From its opening moments, "Havoc" sets a grim tone, pulling no punches as it throws audiences into a chaotic world where a stolen cocaine shipment hidden in washing machines sparks a deadly chain reaction. This initial drug deal gone wrong quickly escalates, drawing Walker into a labyrinthine conspiracy involving a local Triad leader, Tsui, whose murder sets the stage for a city-wide manhunt. As Walker, played with typical brooding intensity by Tom Hardy, investigates, he unearths layers of corruption within his own narcotics squad, some of whom are also on Lawrence Beaumont’s payroll. His rookie partner, Ellie (Jessie Mei Li), provides a glimmer of relative innocence, though she too finds herself caught in the escalating madness.
Gareth Evans’ reputation precedes him, and "Havoc" certainly delivers on the promise of relentless, brutal action. The film is steeped in the director's signature style, characterized by a visceral, almost tactile approach to violence. Fight sequences are choreographed with precision, showcasing the raw physicality and desperation of the characters. However, unlike the fluid, impactful martial arts set pieces that defined "The Raid," "Havoc" leans heavily into gunfights and brawls, which, while undeniably intense, can occasionally suffer from "choppy editing" and a reliance on distracting CGI. This shift, while understandable for the narrative, at times dilutes the raw, practical impact that made Evans' earlier works so compelling.
The thematic landscape of "Havoc" is as bleak as its urban setting. The film paints a picture of a city consumed by corruption, where law enforcement and organized crime are two sides of the same tarnished coin. Walker, a "bruised detective" with a troubled past, embodies this moral ambiguity, navigating a world where trust is a liability and survival demands compromise. His estranged relationship with his family, coupled with a past incident involving the death of an undercover cop, adds layers to his character, but the review suggests that Evans is "not interested in people here; he just wants bodies to obliterate in hails of bullets." While Hardy delivers a committed performance, the supporting characters, including Jessie Mei Li's "underwritten part" as the seemingly only honest cop and Timothy Olyphant’s role as an even "dirtier" officer, often feel like mere pawns in the larger, more chaotic game.
"Havoc" culminates in a "memorable" and "huge climax in a dilapidated snowy cabin" that reportedly builds to an adrenaline-pumping crescendo. This final shootout, a testament to Evans' ability to stage chaotic confrontations, is a standout moment, delivering the kind of intense, drawn-out action that fans of his work crave. Yet, the journey to this powerful conclusion is described as a "dour, miserable slog." The relentless brutality, while integral to the film's tone, can become "tedious," leading to an exhaustion that mirrors the protagonist’s physical and emotional toll. The film’s "hyperviolence" is uncompromising, but some critics argue it lacks the "stylized" flair that could make it more palatable or meaningful, instead feeling "ugly stuff repeated in numbing fashion."
In conclusion, "Havoc" is an uncompromising and visually striking 2025 film that solidifies Gareth Evans' reputation as a master of brutal action. Tom Hardy delivers a gritty performance, anchoring the dark narrative. The film certainly delivers on its promise of relentless violence and intricate criminal machinations. However, its pervasive bleakness, coupled with a perceived lack of depth in character development and an occasional over-reliance on CGI, might make it a challenging watch for some. For those seeking an unflinching, hard-hitting crime thriller that doesn't pull its punches, "Havoc" is an experience. Just be prepared for a journey that’s as exhausting as it is exhilarating. It’s a Netflix Original that, while technically impressive, ultimately leaves one feeling as "beaten and bruised" as its protagonist, a testament to its brutal effectiveness but also its draining impact.