In her post about Timothy Olyphant preceding this one, Sarah wrote of Timothy Olyphant that “he works in more things than he shows up for at this point in his career” and we have a good example of this right now as he did show up for #1 Happy Family USA which is the premiere that Sarah was covering but has not yet shown up for Havoc, in which he has a supporting role.
Havoc is written and directed by Gareth Evans, who specialises in action. The star is Tom Hardy, who also specialises in big action, so expectations are high. The film premiered in London on Tuesday and first reactions are largely positive. My reaction when I saw it ahead of my interview on Monday with both Gareth and Tom was … OMG this movie is so violent – but this is the genre, I get it. And to me it’s giving Hong Kong 90s action, which is what I talked to Gareth about during the junket. Cantonese is spoken throughout the movie, and the gunfire is pure John Woo excess.
Hong Kong, however, is not the setting. Havoc was filmed in Wales as part of Netflix’s “strategic investment in Welsh production hubs”. Per Variety, Havoc now holds the distinction “the distinction as the largest feature film ever shot entirely within Wales”. According to a report released by Netflix and Creative Wales ahead of Havoc’s premiere on the platform on April 25:
“Netflix productions have supported over 500 Welsh businesses across multiple sectors since 2020. For every £1 ($1.32) spent by the streamer in Wales, 58 pence (76 cents) flows to TV and film sectors, with the remainder benefiting industries including rental and leasing, creative arts, and food and hospitality. The financial impact extends beyond direct spending, with each £1 invested by Netflix generating an additional 80 pence ($1.06) across the Welsh supply chain.”
Another reminder, and I include myself in this, that movies don’t have to be good to have an impact. Not that I’m saying Havoc isn’t good – obviously given the initial critical response, it’s doing what it needs to do – but it is to a certain taste. Like horror/thrillers are for a certain taste (not mine). This is action at a ruthless level, bullets and blood are flying everywhere. There’s one specific kill that f-cked me up in its brutality.
And also, yes, Tom Hardy is doing an accent, LOL. I wonder how long it’ll be before we see him in a … quieter film.
