Havoc (2025)

Havoc is a bit of a slow burn, as Tom Hardy's world-weary cop deals with corruption, compromise and a fresh-faced rookie in uniform who has inexplicably been assigned to work with him. The early car chase scenes look a bit video-gamey, heavy use of CGI made more conspicuous by impossible camera movements and some floaty physics.

Hardy's absolute reluctance to engage with any of the shit that's going on is in danger of rubbing off on the viewer, but somewhere towards the end we reach a tipping point and things explode into carnage and chaos.

A small army of goons is unleashed and the tensions between various parties erupt into chaos as people desperately try to work out who they need to be most worried about. The scene in the nightclub makes beautiful use of the topology of the location and the chaotic clash of multiple antagonistic groups.

After a brief lull we get a siege finale in a remote cabin reminiscent of the mid-point highlight of the first season of Gangs of London, devolving into more desperate, brutal struggle for survival.

Havoc isn't as lean or action-packed as THE RAID but the sheer reliability of Tom Hardy carries the film until the action choreography steps up for duty. Its set pieces aren't quite as spectacular as THE RAID 2's best, but they're well above what most film-makers are capable of delivering, and ultimately make the film an essential watch for action afficionados.