Tom Hardy’s new movie,Havoc, will be released in 2025 on Netflix, and the film will potentially give the streaming service the action movie it has wanted for almost a decade.Havocwrapped up filming a few years ago, but it was unknown when this film would be released. However, in November 2024,Netflix revealed the first images for Tom Hardy’sHavocwhile simultaneously confirming that this movie will arrive in 2025.Havocstars Hardy, Jessie Mei Li, Timothy Olyphant, Forest Whitaker, and more, with Netflix also releasing an extensive cast list.
Havocis an action movie that follows a detective (Hardy) who, “after a drug deal gone wrong, must fight […] through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son” (via IMDb). However, the further Hardy’s character descends into this underworld, the more corruption he finds.Havocwill feature Hardy’s character in the role of an epic action hero, something Netflix has long coveted.Havocmight just be the action movie Netflix has been looking for,and if all goes well, it could become one ofNetflix’s best moviesoverall.
Netflix Has Long Been Chasing Action Movies Like The Raid
Netflix Has Wanted A Successful Action Movie That Features A Hero Battling Criminals
Netflix has had some successful action movies, such as theExtractionfranchise, with thelatest film in development beingExtraction 3.However,Extractionis based on a graphic novel by Ande Parks et al., and the protagonist is a mercenary.Netflix seemingly wants to create an original successful action film similar to Gareth Evans’The Raid,a movie that depicts law enforcement officers as heroic protagonists who must fight criminals to survive. Producing movies that aim to be likeThe Raid, Netflix has also ended up with titles comparable toJohn Wick, such asExtraction, The Night Comes for Us, andKate.
The Night Comes for Usis Netlix’s previous action movie closest toThe Raid, featuring some of the same actors, including Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais. However,The Night Comes for Usexhibits a much blurrier line between hero and villain. Additionally, whileThe Night Comes For Usreleased to mostly positive reviews, — even better than those of Gareth Evans' new gothic horror movie,Apostle,from the same year— it did not lead to a sequel. It seemed that Netflix was never going to have an original successful action franchise featuring law enforcers as protagonists, butHavoccould change this.
Havoc Can Be The Closest Thing Netflix Has To The Raid
Havoc Features A Similar Premise With The Same Writer & Director As The Raid
Notably, Gareth Evans is also the director ofHavoc, after setting the standard withThe Raidand competing withThe Night Comes for Us.Havocalready bears striking similarities toThe Raid, including a law enforcement officer as the main character battling criminals to escape dangerous circumstances. BothThe RaidandHavocalso feature plots involving the drug trade.The Raiddepicts a police squad breaking into a drug lord’s apartment complex, whileHavocfollows Hardy’s character, Walker, rescuing a politician’s son after a deal goes wrong. It seems that Evans being at the helm ofHavocwill help the film become what Netflix wants it to be.
Evans mentions that Havoc is “a love letter to the heroic bloodshed genre,” a phrase that could also describe The Raid.
Recently, Evans and one ofHavoc’s stars spoke at the Next on Netflix event in the United Kingdom (viaWhat’s on Netflix). Evans mentions thatHavocis “a love letter to the heroic bloodshed genre,” a phrase that could also describeThe Raid, given the film’s characterization of its protagonists and bloodshed.Havocalso featuresShadow and Bone’s Jessie Mei Li, who portrays Walker’s rookie partner, Ellie. At Next on Netflix, Li teased howHavocwill focus on Walker and Ellie’s dynamic, another feature thatThe Raidalso covers.
Havoc’s Netflix Release Should Be Great For Tom Hardy
Havoc Will Be An Impressive Movie To Add To Tom Hardy’s Filmography
Havocis also potentially a great addition to Tom Hardy’s filmography.Hardy made his acting debut in Ridley Scott’sBlack Hawk Downand has gone on to star in a variety of movies. One of Hardy’s biggest roles is Max Rockatansky inMad Max: Fury Road, as well as his characters inInceptionandThe Revenant. However, in recent years, Hardy’s career has primarily been portraying the titular character intheVenommovies, and critics poorly received all three films.Havocis a great opportunity for Hardy to return to his action roots with a better-received feature.
Tom Hardy’s Next Action Movie Is More Exciting Than Upcoming Film With 83% On Rotten Tomatoes
Tom Hardy will next be seen in The Bikeriders, but he has an upcoming action movie that is even more exciting based on his role and director.
Furthermore, Hardy has primarily portrayed villains and antiheroes. The closest Hardy has come to playing a classic action hero is Mad Max, but even he is morally gray.Havoc’s Walker may also be so, but will possibly go through different character development than Hardy’s previous roles. Evans notes that Hardy’s performance brings “an immense amount of forensic detail,” suggesting that Walker will stand out from the actor’s past projects. Although Hardy already has an impressive filmography,Havoccould bring him additional success, especially if it ends up becoming a franchise.
