Havoc Netflix movie review. After years of delays due to filming setbacks, post-production holdups, and industry strikes, Havoc has finally dropped on Netflix — and action fans, your patience is about to be rewarded.
Directed by Gareth Evans, the mind behind The Raid and Gangs of London, Havoc marks his first feature film since 2018’s Apostle. Teaming up with Tom Hardy, this Netflix Original crime thriller arrived on April 25, 2025, and delivers a violent, tightly wound, and unapologetically raw viewing experience.
🎬 The Premise: Corruption Runs Deep
Set in a fictional American city (though shot entirely in Wales), Havoc centers on Walker, a gritty detective with a dark past — played by the ever-intense Tom Hardy. After a drug deal spirals into bloody chaos, he’s roped into finding the son of a powerful politician (played by Forest Whitaker) who’s fled the scene.
Walker’s not just cleaning up a mess; he’s being blackmailed by this politician to protect the boy in exchange for secrets tied to a past undercover cop’s death. Paired up with a new partner (Jessie Mei Li from Shadow and Bone), Walker must confront his own demons while unraveling a conspiracy that stretches across the city’s criminal and political underbelly.
⭐ A Cast Stacked with Talent
While Hardy leads the charge, Havoc is far from a one-man show. The film brings together a dynamic cast including:
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Forest Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem)
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Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Santa Clarita Diet)
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Jessie Mei Li (Shadow and Bone)
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Luis Guzmán (Wednesday)
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Yeo Yann Yann, Justin Cornwell, Quelin Sepulveda, and Sunny Pang
Each actor helps flesh out the murky world Evans creates — one filled with betrayal, brutal violence, and shifting loyalties.
💥 Gareth Evans’ Signature Style is Back
If you’re familiar with The Raid, you already know Gareth Evans is a master of action. But with Havoc, he shifts gears — blending his gritty, close-quarters fighting style with a throwback homage to 90s Hong Kong cinema.
Evans wears multiple hats here — director, writer, and “action editor” — meticulously crafting each bone-crunching moment. From the tension-soaked nightclub brawl to a jaw-dropping fishing cabin finale, Havoc proves Evans hasn’t lost a step. His collaboration with stunt coordinator Jude Poyer (from Gangs of London) once again delivers genre-defining sequences.
Think John Wick meets Hard Boiled — but moodier, dirtier, and unapologetically relentless.
⚠️ The Flaws: Hardy’s Acting & CGI Worldbuilding
While the film’s action is undeniably thrilling, Havoc isn’t flawless. Tom Hardy, known for intense and brooding performances, sometimes underplays his role to the point of near monotony in the film’s first half. His chemistry with other characters — especially early scenes with partner Ellie — can feel awkward and sluggish.
Then there’s the CGI. Though shot in Wales, Havoc aims to portray a generic American city. Unfortunately, the visual effects used to create this illusion don’t always hold up, often resembling a video game cutscene more than a gritty urban sprawl.
These issues, while not deal-breakers, slightly detract from the overall immersion, especially when the rest of the film is so rooted in realism and tactile violence.
🎯 What Makes Havoc Worth Watching?
Despite a few bumps along the way, Havoc succeeds where it counts: intense action, strong direction, and a story that doesn’t waste your time.
Clocking in at just 100 minutes, the film doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s lean, fast, and brutally efficient — a quality many action films today seem to forget. Evans balances explosive set pieces with emotional stakes, offering more than just shootouts and beatdowns.
For fans of the genre, Havoc is a must-watch. It’s not quite the lightning-in-a-bottle experience of The Raid, but it stands tall as one of Netflix’s better original action offerings in recent years.
🍿 Watch Havoc If You Liked:
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The Raid: Redemption
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John Wick
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The Night Comes For Us
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Hard Boiled
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City on Fire
🏆 MVPs of the Movie
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Gareth Evans – Direction, writing, and editing that ties everything together
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Jude Poyer – Action choreography that turns each fight into its own story
🔚 Final Verdict: Havoc Is Controlled Chaos Worth Embracing
Havoc Netflix movie review. Havoc may not reinvent the action genre, but it reinforces Gareth Evans’ position as one of its true artists. With calculated violence, a noir-tinged storyline, and a cast that brings real weight to the chaos, this movie is exactly what you’d hope from a Tom Hardy and Gareth Evans team-up.
It’s intense. It’s rough around the edges. And most of all — it’s pure, adrenaline-pumping cinema.
🖥️ Streaming Now
Watch Havoc on Netflix – Available globally starting April 25, 2025.
Looking for more adrenaline-pumping thrills? Check out our list of the Best Action Movies on Netflix Right Now for nonstop excitement.