Tom Hardy’s Netflix thriller Havoc has the best action sequences of the year

Fans of Tom Hardy have had to exercise a lot of patience regarding the release of “Havoc”, which was initially announced in 2021 with filming taking place during the same year. However, reshoots for the movie were postponed due to scheduling conflicts and the Hollywood strikes that occurred in 2023. It wasn’t until last summer that the reshoots were finally wrapped up.

After a significant hold-up, concerns arose about whether we would ever watch the action thriller, or if there were alternative reasons for the delay. However, fear not! The film titled “Havoc” will be available on Netflix tomorrow, and it’s precisely the movie you’ve been eagerly anticipating.

As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this: I follow the tireless detective Walker (Hardy), who finds himself entangled in a web of danger after a drug transaction goes awry. Now, I’m on edge as he races to outsmart a vindictive crime network, his own colleagues included, all while attempting to save Charlie (Justin Cornwell), the wayward son of a corrupt politician, and his partner Mia (Quelin Sepulveda).

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As Walker delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers a complex network of corruption that compels him to face the ghosts from his own history. For him to carry out this task, he must first ensure his own survival.

To accomplish this task, Walker will need to contend with numerous individuals. It is no hyperbole to state that the number is considerable.

Following a tantalizing prelude hinting at a mysterious event from Walker’s history that will undoubtedly matter later, Havoc immerses us immediately into high-stakes action with an exhilarating truck chase, during which someone holds on for their life to the swinging back door of the speeding vehicle.

If you’re not familiar with the past works of director Gareth Evans, known for Havoc, this could appear excessively intense. However, such intensity is actually typical in his style of filmmaking.

Evans became well-known for the astonishing 2011 action thriller “The Raid”, and solidified his reputation as one of the top action directors with its sequel “The Raid 2” and the first season of “Gangs of London”. After a brief excursion into folk horror in Netflix’s “The Apostle”, “Havoc” finds Evans returning to his usual genre, making it seem as if he never left.

Even though we’re still in April, the five-minute club scene smack dab in the middle of Havoc is likely to be one of the most impressive action sequences this year. Filled with stylish visual effects, grueling choreography, and a fair amount of blood, it’s an action masterpiece that you won’t want to miss on the big screen. Yet, even on smaller screens, it doesn’t lose any of its brilliance.

In a seemingly excessive and violent climax, Evans strives to surpass his previous success. The ending is far more saturated with gunfire compared to the usual club scene, yet it manages to accommodate intense, individual confrontations, culminating in a striking finale where he uses a harpoon for a memorable kill.

In this film, there are two thrilling action scenes that shine, although the storyline doesn’t quite match their brilliance. The plot is somewhat predictable, echoing the “troubled detective seeks redemption” narrative from the movie Havoc. However, Tom Hardy delivers a captivating performance that makes it worthwhile, keeping viewers engaged and eager rather than just counting down to the next action scene.

Instead of providing ample time for contemplation, Havoc plunges you immediately into the action, making it difficult to pause for the next significant scene. It might take a brief moment for you to adjust to the world that Evans has constructed, but once the botched drug deal unfolds, the film finds its stride and rhythm.

You might find yourself desiring a deeper exploration of the character, Ellie, played by Jessie Mei Li. However, it’s also unlikely what you anticipated when you decided to watch Havoc. Instead, you’re probably more interested in witnessing Hardy dishing out violence against the villains, and Evans delivers that in large quantities, frequently with extreme brutality.

You may feel a need for a deeper portrayal of the character Ellie, played by Jessie Mei Li. But that’s not typically what you signed up for when you chose to watch Havoc. Instead, you’re likely looking forward to seeing Hardy dealing with bad guys, and Evans provides plenty of that, often in incredibly violent scenes.

I wish success to any other action film coming out this year, as it might be quite challenging for them to surpass the impressive action scenes that Havoc has already presented in 2025.

Havoc is released on Netflix on 25 April.

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2025-04-24 21:49