A Must-Watch Netflix Release for Action Fans
Released on Netflix on April 25, 2025, Havoc immediately caught my attention for one reason: the cast. Tom Hardy, Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, and Luis Guzmán? You don’t pass up a movie with that kind of lineup. I added it to my watchlist without hesitation and finally sat down to watch it last night. What followed was a nonstop rollercoaster of action, corruption, and survival that somehow still managed to weave in a compelling story and emotional stakes.
The Plot: A City Drenched in Corruption
A botched drug deal ends in murder, and the estranged son of a powerful politician becomes the prime suspect. Enter Walker (Tom Hardy), a hardened homicide detective with a troubled past, who takes it upon himself to protect the young man and uncover the real culprits. But the deeper Walker digs, the more he unearths layers of political corruption, betrayal, and violence.
Unlike some action-heavy films (Demon City, I’m looking at you), Havoc doesn’t sacrifice story for spectacle. While it hits the ground running, the writing and direction cleverly embed the backstories and character motivations within the chaos. The result? An action film that still delivers emotional depth.
Standout Performances and Characters
🔹 Tom Hardy as Walker – A complex and compelling lead, Hardy brings his signature intensity to a detective who’s more layered than he first appears. He’s brutal when he needs to be, but grounded in a sense of justice that makes him easy to root for.
🔹 Forest Whitaker as Lawrence Beaumont – A politician and desperate father, Beaumont’s emotional urgency adds a layer of humanity to the political narrative. Whitaker plays the role with subtle power.
🔹 Timothy Olyphant as Vincent Crowley – Corruption personified. Olyphant is chilling and charismatic, the kind of villain you love to hate.
🔹 Luis Guzmán as Raul – Mia’s protective uncle who will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Guzmán’s performance adds heart and grit, grounding the film’s chaos in raw emotional stakes.
🔹 Jessie Mei Li as Ellie Sofer – A reluctant but sharp partner to Walker, she navigates moral gray areas with quiet brilliance.
🔹 Quelin Sepulveda as Mia & Justin Cromwell as Charlie – A young couple on the run, their chemistry and desperation keep the tension high and the emotional core intact.
🔹 Yeo Yann Yann as Mother – As the grieving and vengeful mother of Tsui, Yeo delivers a fierce and emotionally charged performance. Her pursuit of justice fuels much of the film’s intensity.
🔹 Jeremy Ang Jones as Tsui – Though his role is brief, his murder is the spark that ignites the entire story. His presence looms over the film, adding weight to every step of the investigation.
What Worked in Havoc
✅ The pacing: Immediate and unrelenting, but not at the cost of story.
✅ The acting: Every performance, from leads to supporting cast, was strong and believable.
✅ The writing: Sharp dialogue and tightly woven subplots made the film more than just fight scenes and shootouts.
✅ Emotional weight: Despite the breakneck action, the film still made time for human connection and vulnerability.
What Fell Short in Havoc
❌ Lighting and camera work: Some scenes, especially in the nightclub, were too dark and difficult to follow. Fast-moving fight scenes got muddled due to shaky camera work and low visibility.
❌ Lens choice: The grainy, textured look might have been intentional, but it made parts of the film look unclear—to the point I wondered if something was wrong with my TV. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely noticeable.
Final Thoughts on Havoc
Havoc is a gritty, adrenaline-packed ride that knows how to deliver tension, drama, and violence while still giving you a story worth caring about. It may not be perfect from a technical standpoint, but the characters, performances, and pulse-pounding pacing make it a must-watch.
Would I watch it again? Absolutely.
Rating: 8.5/10 – Fast, fierce, and full of grit.