2025 sees Tom Hardy repeating himself. Havoc is a fierce action thriller we have seen him in time after time. Hardy is, in essence, sleepwalking through this role as a bent cop. Sporting an American accent, yet again, and playing a character not too different from his recent film parts.
Havoc is not boring. Oh no. There is action but this is nothing we have not seen before. Hardy specializes in these types of violent action heavy movies. It is beginning to wear thin.
It is also wearing down his body.
The Story
Havoc is the story of a drug deal gone sour that envelopes an entire city. A “bruised” cop, *crooked cop* is forced into a rescue. Meanwhile, he stands to lose everything.
The Main Cast
Tom Hardy is Walker.
Forest Whitaker is Lawrence Beaumont.
Jessie Mei Li is Ellie.
Timothy Olyphant is Vincent.
Havoc BTS
Gareth Evans writes and directs this one. DP Matt Flannery keeps things tight with frames that fit the action. Editors Sara Jones and Matt Platts-Mills do their best to put this mish-mash of tired tropes together.
It works in some places
Hardy’s performance saves Havoc from becoming total tripe. Even with a role that he is, in essence, “phoning in,” Hardy’s worst days outshine most actors at their finest. His “physicality” and bursts of controlled and uncontrolled violence works.
Even Forest Whitaker (I am a huge fan of Whitaker’s work. I even liked him in The Last Stand, his role was more of a beefed up cameo. But he stood out, regardless.) manages to stand out.
Li as Ellie is good value for money as she convinces thoroughly here.
Timothy Olyphant is wasted here in a lacklustre cameo. It was so lacklustre that I forgot he was in the film. “Nuff said.”
Where Havoc is let down is its resolute reliance upon the old formula of “crooked cop aims for retribution.” Said cop suffering internally and externally while doing so. Hardy is good in action/thriller films/television series. But he needs to move on.
He is currently in MobLand, also on Netflix, and in that show he shines through.
The verdict
Havoc is a so-so type of movie. The action is acceptable, the stunts impressive. However, the redemptive storyline has been done far too many times before. This alone earns Havoc a paltry 3.5 stars. The film is streaming on Netflix at the moment. Check it out and see what you think.
The Trailer
Related
Discover more from Mikes Film Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
