Havoc (2025) Film Review

Havoc is the latest film from Gareth Evans, the mastermind behind Gangs of London and The Raid films. Starring Tom Hardy, the story follows a detective assigned by a powerful politician to find his missing son, who’s gone off the grid after a drug deal spirals out of control. The cast also features Forest Whitaker, Jessie Mei Li, Luis Guzmán, and Timothy Olyphant in supporting roles.

Let's dive into our Havoc Film Review.

I’ve been following this film’s development for years. As a huge fan of Tom Hardy, one of my all-time favorite actors, I was hyped to finally see Havoc in action. So, how does it hold up?

Let’s start with the positives. The action sequences are where this film truly shines. Gareth Evans brings his signature style, bone-crunching, over-the-top violence that feels raw and brutal in the best way. Visually, the film has a slick, neo-noir look blended with gritty action-thriller energy. The cinematography is sharp, the editing tight, and I was impressed by how they transformed a small Welsh town into a seedy, crime-ridden American city. The production design really sells the atmosphere.

Tom Hardy delivers a solid performance, but it’s definitely within his comfort zone. He leans into the same accent he uses for Venom, and his character isn’t far off from the ones we’ve seen in Legend or Taboo. Forest Whitaker and Timothy Olyphant are both reliably strong, but again, they’re playing roles that feel familiar. It seems like Evans cast them in “safe” roles, he knew what they could do and let them do just that.

My biggest gripe with Havoc is the writing. The story is functional but derivative. It borrows heavily from other action thrillers, most notably Taken. Honestly, it feels like the kind of film built around Hardy’s star power to guarantee attention. It also reminded me a lot of The Gray Man (2022), both films where the action outshines the plot.

If all you want is slick, brutal action with a moody visual style, Havoc delivers. But if you’re hoping for a fresh story or deeper substance, it might leave you wanting more.

At the end of the day, Havoc is decent. It’s not terrible, but with the talent involved, I expected more. I’m giving it a 6 out of 10, or 3.5 out of 5 stars. And hey if nothing else, it’s got me hoping Tom Hardy finally gives us that long-awaited second season of Taboo.

Thanks for reading! Check out Havoc and form your own opinion and I’ll see you next time!

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