Havoc Review: Another Forgettable Netflix Action Movie

Tom Hardy has carved out a distinct niche for himself in gritty, mob-centric action films, so it’s no surprise to see him return to familiar territory with Havoc.

In this latest crime thriller from Netflix, Hardy plays a bruised, relentless detective who’s thrust into chaos after a drug deal spirals out of control. Tasked with rescuing a politician’s estranged son, he must navigate a brutal criminal underworld while uncovering a sprawling web of corruption and conspiracy that threatens to consume the entire city.

However, viewers hoping for a gripping and memorable addition to Netflix’s action lineup may find themselves disappointed.

While the film teases a compelling story in its opening moments, it quickly loses momentum and focus, becoming repetitive and chaotic rather than captivating.

Gareth Evans crafts a story that initially feels gripping and full of potential. The opening 20 minutes are fast-paced and thrilling, featuring an intense car chase that tears through the city and immediately grabs your attention.

One standout aspect of these sequences is the film’s visual style.

The use of dynamic camera angles, smooth dolly shots, and moody lighting gives the action a “video game” aesthetic — slick, immersive, and stylized.

It’s one of the more unique elements of Havoc. If the film could lean further into that feeling, it might land more successfully with audiences.

Visually, this project establishes a bleak tone from the start. The city is cloaked in cold, dark hues — grays, blacks, and muted blues dominate everything from the landscape to the characters’ wardrobes. These somber colors allow director Gareth Evans to experiment with contrast, especially through the recurring use of red lighting.

Moments of violence and conflict are punctuated by glowing red lights — either behind the characters or bleeding into the scene. It creates visual markers that heighten tension and subtly suggest which characters are villains, and which may still have a chance at redemption.

While Havoc succeeds in moments of visual flair and stylized violence, it falls short in storytelling.

The film quickly becomes consumed by nonstop action — endless gunfights, chases, and physical brawls, which might sound thrilling in theory but ultimately grow tiresome.

There is such a thing as too much action, especially when the audience has little to no emotional connection to the characters involved. Apart from a few brief introductory scenes, we learn virtually nothing about the people Hardy is fighting for or against.

As a result, the film feels hollow. The stakes may be high, but they never feel personal. This lack of character development is arguably the premise’s biggest flaw.

A good action movie needs more than just bullets and broken bones. It needs heart, depth, and characters that we can care about.

Instead, Havoc assumes that stylish violence alone can carry the film, which makes the 1 hour 45 minute runtime feel significantly longer.

That said, the movie isn’t without its redeeming qualities. The stunt choreography is top-notch; every punch, takedown, and gunfight looks visceral and believable. It’s clear the cast and crew poured time and effort into perfecting the physical performances, and it pays off.

On top of that, the film’s score is another strong point.

The music swells and shifts with the mood, using booming percussion and brass during high-tension scenes, and eerie, subtle strings during quieter investigative moments. The score helps elevate the overall atmosphere, even when the story falters.

In the end, Havoc has all the ingredients of a great action thriller, but they never quite come together. With a more focused narrative, stronger character development, and a little less mindless action, it could have been something memorable.

Instead, Havoc becomes another forgettable entry in Netflix’s growing catalogue of hit-or-miss action flicks.

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What did you think of Havoc? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Havoc is available to stream on Netflix.

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