Havoc Netflix Movie Review 2025: Tom Hardy’s Action Thriller Falls Flat

 Havoc, a new action thriller on Netflix, hit the streaming platform on April 25, 2025. Directed by Gareth Evans, known for The Raid, and starring Tom Hardy, the movie promised a wild ride. With a big cast and a gritty crime story, fans expected a hard-hitting hit. But does Havoc deliver, or is it a messy letdown? Let’s break down the cast, plot, action, and why this film doesn’t quite work.

The movie stars Tom Hardy as Walker, a tough detective in a corrupt, unnamed American city. After a drug deal goes wrong, Walker must fight through criminals, dirty cops, and a Triad gang to save a politician’s son, Charlie (Justin Cornwell). Along the way, he faces his own dark past. The story sounds exciting, but it’s packed with clichés and feels thin. Critics, like those at Roger Ebert’s site, call it a pile of action movie tropes with no real stakes or depth.

Hardy is a strong lead, bringing his usual gruff charm. He plays Walker as a broken man, mumbling through a rough accent. But even Hardy can’t save a weak script. Jessie Mei Li shines as Ellie, a rookie cop with heart, and her scenes add some spark. Timothy Olyphant, as Walker’s shady partner Vincent, is fun but underused. Forest Whitaker plays politician Lawrence Beaumont, but his role feels flat. Quelin Sepulveda, as Charlie’s girlfriend Mia, gets some cool fight scenes, while Yeo Yann Yann is creepy as a Triad boss called “Little Sister.” Other actors, like Luis Guzmán and Michelle Waterson, pop up but don’t get much to do.

Evans is famous for The Raid’s jaw-dropping action, so expectations were high. Havoc has some thrilling moments, like a 10-minute nightclub fight with guns, knives, and a meat cleaver. The final cabin shootout is also wild, with goons crashing through windows. These scenes, praised by Empire, show Evans’ skill with fast, bloody chaos. But the action takes too long to start—almost an hour in. When it hits, it’s not as sharp as The Raid. Some fights look staged, and shaky camera work makes them hard to follow. CGI, like in the opening car chase, looks fake and cheap, as Vulture noted.

The story is Havoc’s biggest problem. It’s a messy mix of corrupt cops, drug deals, and gang wars. Walker’s mission to save Charlie gets lost in too many side plots. The script, written by Evans, leans on tired ideas like the “tortured cop” and “crooked politician.” The New York Times said the characters feel like cardboard, not real people. The plot tries to be complex but ends up confusing. By the time the big twists come, you might not care. Variety called it a “wildly complicated conspiracy” that doesn’t click.

Filming took place in Cardiff, Wales, not the U.S., which gives the city a weird, fake feel. It’s supposed to look like a gritty mix of Chicago and Gotham, but it feels like a video game, as Vulture pointed out. The Christmas setting adds some cool visuals, like neon lights and snow, but it’s not enough to save the mood. The movie was shot in 2021 but needed reshoots, delaying it until 2025. Evans told ScreenRant the extra time helped tweak the story, but it still feels sloppy.

Reviews are mixed. Rotten Tomatoes gives Havoc a 65% from 55 critics, with a 47% audience score. Metacritic scores it at 58. Some, like World of Reel, say the action is great if you ignore the thin plot. Others, like IGN, call it a letdown from Evans and Hardy, who’ve done better work. Fans on X are split. @ehimen_junior

 gave it 3.5/5, liking the gore but wishing for a better story. @SullyStreams

 called it a mess, saying even the action isn’t great. @EternalRemorse

 praised the acting but hated the shaky camera and bad CGI.

What works? The nightclub and cabin fights are brutal and fun, with Evans’ style shining through. Hardy and Mei Li are watchable, and the cast has star power. The movie’s short runtime, at 1 hour 45 minutes, keeps it from dragging too long. It’s also bold with its violence, which Heaven of Horror called “sadistic” but entertaining for action fans. If you love bloody shootouts, you might enjoy it.

What doesn’t? The story is dull and predictable. The action, while good in parts, isn’t enough to carry the film. Poor CGI and choppy editing hurt the big scenes. The cast is wasted on weak roles, and the city setting feels fake. The Guardian and The Wrap slammed it for being silly and lacking heart. Compared to The Raid or John Wick, Havoc feels like a step down.

Is Havoc worth watching? If you’re a Tom Hardy fan or love Gareth Evans’ action, you might have fun with the fight scenes. But don’t expect a deep story or The Raid-level thrills. It’s a decent Netflix action flick for a casual watch, but it’s forgettable. You can stream it on Netflix with a subscription. Check the trailer on Netflix’s Tudum site to see if it’s for you. For a better Evans film, try The Raid on Netflix instead. Havoc had big potential but ends up a noisy, messy disappointment.