Netflix’s Havoc with Tom Hardy & Timothy Olyphant is a Near-Perfect Film

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When major action stars team up, the results can be incredible, and that’s exactly what happened with 2025’s Havoc. Directed by Gareth Evans, known for his work on Gangs of London and the Indonesian action films The Raid and its sequel, Havoc paired Tom Hardy and Timothy Olyphant in a visually stunning and violent movie. What set Havoc apart was its focus on the flawed ethics of two corrupt police officers—one was less bad than the other, but neither was truly seeking justice, which is a departure from typical action films.

The film starts with a quick, serious moment before quickly turning into a fast-paced chase. A group of thieves are trying to steal washing machines containing cocaine, and detectives Vincent, Hayes, Jake, and Cortez are hot on their trail. The thieves are led by Charlie, the son of a mayoral candidate, and his girlfriend, Mia. They successfully deliver the drugs to Tsui, a Triad leader, but things take a dangerous turn when Tsui is murdered by masked attackers. Because Charlie and Mia were present at the scene, they suddenly find themselves targeted by the Chinese crime syndicate.

Tom Hardy And Timothy Olyphant Played Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Tom Hardy and Timothy Olyphant are both fantastic action stars, each bringing a unique style to the genre. Hardy often plays a damaged man caught in a web of police corruption. His character, a narcotics detective, is struggling with a failing marriage and a difficult relationship with his daughter. He’s also haunted by accidentally shooting an undercover officer. This incident is covered up by his colleague, Vincent, played by Timothy Olyphant, who actually fired the fatal shot.

Timothy Olyphant plays Vincent, a corrupt officer similar to Walker, who is secretly working for a man named Lawrence Beaumont who’s running for mayor. However, Vincent is far more ruthless and motivated by personal gain than Walker. Vincent is charming and manipulative, and unlike Walker, he doesn’t feel any guilt about his actions – he actually enjoys abusing his power, and has a team of police officers who follow his orders. Meanwhile, Walker wants to escape his life of crime and agrees to help rescue Charlie from the Triad, hoping it will be his last dirty deed for the wealthy Beaumont.

From the start, it’s obvious that Walker and Vincent are both self-serving, not working for the police. However, they differ in how far they’ll go. Even while Walker undertakes a dangerous rescue of Beaumont – which does succeed in saving two innocent people from a murder accusation – he comes to realize Vincent is his real enemy. Vincent teamed up with Ching, a former Triad worker, to shoot Tsui and steal a shipment of cocaine, intending to sell it for personal gain.

The central conflict in the story isn’t just about Chinese drug cartels influencing politicians; it really boils down to the showdown between Walker and Vincent, who want completely different things. The chemistry between Timothy Olyphant and Tom Hardy in Havoc is fantastic – they both bring a unique energy to action roles. Hardy is famous for fully immersing himself in characters, as evidenced in films like The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road, Warrior, Venom, and The Revenant. He completely transforms, physically and vocally, bringing a raw and powerful presence to every role. He’s intense, forceful, and realistic, which makes a great contrast to Olyphant’s more polished and refined style on screen.

Timothy Olyphant brings a subtle but unsettling energy to his roles. He’s known for playing characters with a calm, refined demeanor, prioritizing character work over flashy action. Whether it’s Raylan Givens in Justified, his roles in Deadwood, Hitman, or The Mandalorian, he consistently portrays a cool and collected presence even in chaotic situations. This creates a compelling dynamic with his co-stars, especially when paired with someone more volatile and unpredictable.

Havoc Is A Hardcore Action Flick

Okay, let me tell you about this action flick. It landed at number seven on the streaming service’s most-watched list for the first half of 2025, and honestly, it deserves the attention. The pairing of Tom Hardy and Timothy Olyphant is electric, but it’s the action that really blew me away. Seriously, some of the fight choreography is the best I’ve ever seen. From the brutal nightclub scene to the explosive – and surprisingly emotional – showdown at Walker’s cabin, action fans are going to be talking about these sequences for a long time. It’s a wild ride!

Okay, so the plot did fall into some familiar tropes here and there, but honestly, the reveal that Vincent was the mastermind behind everything? Chef’s kiss. The movie, Havoc, just throws you right into the action – it’s loud, doesn’t apologize for being exactly what it is, and clearly made for fans of the genre. But it’s not just explosions; there’s a really interesting story about corruption and power underneath it all, and the chemistry between Olyphant and Hardy? Absolutely perfect. They really made a great team on screen.

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2026-02-05 23:09