‘Havoc’ Review: A Masterclass in Bone-Crunching Action That Elevates an Uneven Crime Story

Tom Hardy storms back into action territory with Havoc, the new Netflix crime thriller from The Raid mastermind Gareth Evans. Set in a grim, fictional American city, Hardy plays Walker, a worn-down cop navigating a bloody maze of corruption, gang wars, and double-crosses. From the first punch thrown to the last bullet fired, Havoc embraces chaos like an art form.

Opening with Walker scrambling through a convenience store for a last-minute Christmas gift, the film quickly flashes back to a spiraling drug deal gone wrong. A missing dealer named Charlie (Justin Cornwell) is the first domino to fall, dragging Walker into a ruthless manhunt that stretches from sleazy nightclubs to political offices. Hardy’s performance — all bruised muscle and battered spirit — feels as lived-in as a decade-old leather jacket.

Evans, known for orchestrating cinematic violence like a maestro, once again brings an unmatched energy to Havoc‘s fight scenes. In a jaw-dropping 10 minute sequence, the camera whips back and forth across a neon-soaked nightclub, keeping pace with every brutal exchange, as if tethered to the action. It’s a reminder of how Evans can turn even the most savage beatdown into a kind of brutal ballet.

The plot, however, groans under the weight of its own ambition. Juggling corrupt politicians, dirty cops, gangland grudges, and personal demons, the story feels like it’s trying to pack an entire crime saga into two hours. Walker’s uneasy alliances, including one with mayoral candidate Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker), and a tense relationship with fellow cop Vincent (Timothy Olyphant), add layers that don’t always connect as tightly as they should.

Hardy’s Walker is more archetype than character — the beaten-down cop clinging to a shred of decency — but Hardy’s physicality and low-growl delivery sell it. He’s one of the few modern stars who can make brute-force toughness feel authentic rather than cartoonish. Whether bleeding out on a grimy floor or taking on a dozen goons at once, Hardy never breaks the illusion.

Those familiar with Gareth Evans’ bone-snapping, heart-pounding style will find exactly what they came for.

Havoc doesn’t try to flip the action genre on its head and that’s part of the charm. It’s a relentless barrage of fists, fractures, and pure survival instinct. When the violence erupts, the film hits its stride, unleashing brutal chaos that’s impossible to look away from. Even when the story slows between battles, Gareth Evans keeps the tension simmering, knowing it’s only a matter of minutes before the next brutal showdown crashes in.

Despite the occasional narrative bloat, Havoc thrives on adrenaline. When the action explodes, Evans’ approach is anything but polished: cameras seem to ricochet off walls and bodies, plunging viewers into the brawl. Evans strips away glossy stylization in favor of frantic, visceral chaos.

By the time the credits roll, you’ll feel like you’ve been through the wars yourself — in the best way. Havoc might not offer much new to the crime genre, but for those craving pure, pulse-pounding action with an edge, it absolutely delivers. And those familiar with Gareth Evans’ bone-snapping, heart-pounding style will find exactly what they came for. It’s a raw, relentless adrenaline rush that knows exactly how to satisfy action junkies.

Havoc is now available to stream on Netflix.

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