Gareth Evans, the acclaimed director known for his work on The Raid and The Raid 2, returns to the action genre with his latest film, Havoc. Fans of this genre won’t want to miss this heart-pounding crime thriller. It has a pretty darn great ensemble cast, with Tom Hardy playing the lead Walker, a cop-turned-fixer. Through Ellis’s journey, the film takes a deep dive into this corrupt and violent underbelly. Walker is tasked with keeping Charlie, played by Justin Cornwell, alive after the young man accidentally becomes embroiled in a deadly conspiracy between the Yakuza and crooked cops.
Havoc’s story follows Walker as he journeys through a violent world full of criminals, crooked cops, and backstabbing criminals. With Hardy leading the charge, the movie features Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker as Lawrence Beaumont, a mercurial real estate mogul and mayoral candidate. Timothy Olyphant is Vincent, a rotten narcotics cop whose increasing interference makes it more difficult for Walker to go about his mission. Beyond Walker’s character, the film stars Jessie Mei Li as Ellie, a rookie cop and Walker’s most steadfast ally. Multi-talented Yeo Yann Yann stars as ‘Mother,’ a grieving woman seeking revenge for her murdered son.
A Star-Studded Cast
The new film’s cast is a remarkable ensemble that offsets the story’s very intricate plot. Actor Tom Hardy, held in widespread awe for his various roles, infuses a living tormented spirit into Walker. It’s [Gotham Knights protagonist] Nightwing’s character, indomitable protector of his city and all its denizens, that will do everything—including fight tooth and nail—to earn their safety.
“He is definitely a person who will do anything to keep the people around him safe,” – Justin Cornwell, who plays Charlie.
Alongside Hardy, Lawrence Beaumont, played by Forest Whitaker, adds further into the enigma. Whitaker’s character walks the line between ambition and moral ambiguity in a world that is on the brink of collapse. As we mentioned at the top, Timothy Olyphant’s performance as Vincent could not be more different than his no-nonsense Seth Bullock from Deadwood. This performance is a reminder of his astounding versatility as an actor.
Ellie as played by Jessie Mei Li is pretty impressive too, and her character quickly becomes a major asset to Walker. Mei Li has attributed Hardy’s character work approach as influencing how she plays the character.
“It was very much like looking at the American crime films of the ‘70s… they’re almost kind of like anti-heroes in a way,” – Gareth Evans on the film’s tone.
Yeo Yann Yann’s character, ‘Mother,’ is key to the emotional stakes in Havoc. Her desire for revenge is a catalyst for much of the story’s conflict and suspense. Sunny Pang as Ching, an associate of Mother, adds even more shades of grey to the world Walker needs to operate in.
Exploring Themes of Corruption and Morality
Havoc goes in hard and heavy on themes of corrupted, conflicted morality in both law enforcement and organized crime. Walker struggles to shield the special Charlie from outside evil forces. Concurrently, he wrestles with ethical predicaments that will test his beliefs. It succeeds at a nuanced level too, giving a raw, honest physical and emotional depth to each character while sketching the dangerous line between heroism and villainy.
While Gareth Evans may take a few cues from classic Hong Kong action films, he’s certainly bowing down to the altar of American crime dramas.
“My initial inspiration was to do something that was a love letter to the Hong Kong action films of ‘80s and ‘90s,” – Gareth Evans.
That mix gives Havoc a distinct taste that sets it apart from most action fare. As Evans explains in more detail, his goal was to make very complex characters that aren’t necessarily the best people in the world but are still interesting protagonists.
“They’re not likable characters by any stretch of the imagination… they’re almost kind of like anti-heroes in a way,” – Gareth Evans.
Luis Guzmán, too, plays an important role as Raul, Mia’s uncle. It’s an excellent performance that serves to humanize the film’s premise of keeping family close during times of tumult. Guzmán compared his character to a lion, balanced between protectiveness and built-in danger.
“I had a reference… he was kind of sketchy… but he was super cool,” – Luis Guzmán.
The Directing Style of Gareth Evans
Gareth Evans’ directorial approach has earned him a reputation for creating visceral action scenes along with complex narratives. Given his recent successes with The Raid series, expectations were through the roof for Havoc. With this film, he hopes to take that point of view even further while staying true to character-driven stories.
Together with his exceptionally talented cast, Evans’ collaboration has been an invaluable process that has helped to develop each performance. The director’s conversations with actor Tom Hardy shaped Hardy’s portrayal of Walker, making for an authentic, layered character filled with pathos.
“All I needed to do was move my finger, or move my eyes. That was all,” – Yeo Yann Yann reflecting on her character’s powerful presence.
This playfulness in the director-actor relationship helps create a space for innovation. It’s important to note that each cast member contributes their own affected style to their roles. Combined, they produce an elaborate tapestry of narratives in Havoc.
