Netflix’s Havoc is a pulse-pounding, neon-drenched thriller that plunges viewers into a night of relentless violence and corruption. When a botched drug deal leaves an undercover cop dead and a politician’s estranged son missing, Detective Walker (Tom Hardy) must battle through the criminal underworld to uncover the truth. With time running out and enemies at every turn, Walker’s journey becomes a brutal odyssey of revenge and redemption, exposing a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power. Directed by Gareth Evans (The Raid), the film combines visceral action with a gripping narrative, delivering a cinematic experience that’s as emotionally charged as it is adrenaline-fueled.
Set in a rain-slicked, dystopian cityscape, Havoc explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance. Walker’s path crosses with a rogue’s gallery of criminals, crooked cops, and shadowy kingpins, each with their own agenda. The film’s non-linear storytelling and morally ambiguous characters elevate it beyond a typical action flick, making it a must-watch for fans of John Wick and Training Day. With Hardy at the peak of his intensity and a supporting cast of rising stars and seasoned actors, Havoc is poised to be one of 2025’s most talked-about films.
Cast of Havoc
1- Tom Hardy as Walker
The Oscar-nominated actor delivers another physically transformative performance as Detective Walker, a compromised cop who must battle through multiple criminal factions to rescue a politician’s son. Hardy brings his signature intensity to the role, performing nearly all of his own stunts including a brutal six-minute single-take fight sequence through a collapsing apartment building. The actor reportedly trained in Krav Maga and tactical weapon handling for three months to prepare for the role’s demanding action scenes.
Hardy’s portrayal of Walker showcases the detective’s moral ambiguity, with the actor finding nuance in what could have been a standard tough cop archetype. His character’s backstory as a former addict informs every strained interaction and desperate decision. The film’s climax features Hardy’s most raw emotional performance to date during a rain-soaked confrontation that was filmed in a single 27-hour shooting session.
2- Lockhart Ogilvie as Undercover Cop
The rising Scottish star makes a memorable impression as Walker’s ill-fated informant, whose botched drug deal sets the plot in motion. Ogilvie brings heartbreaking vulnerability to his limited screen time, creating instant chemistry with Hardy that makes their scenes together crackle with tension. The actor shadowed real undercover officers to prepare, learning their techniques for maintaining multiple identities.
Ogilvie’s death scene early in the film – a shocking moment that was kept secret from test audiences – was reportedly so visceral that it caused gasps during early screenings. The young actor’s commitment to realism extended to spending nights in actual safe houses to understand his character’s paranoia.
3- Quelin Sepulveda as Mia
Sepulveda steals every scene as the street-smart informant who becomes Walker’s reluctant ally. The actress brings surprising humor and depth to what could have been a stock character, particularly in a standout scene where she schools Walker on the city’s true power structures. Her character’s knowledge of the criminal underworld proves invaluable, but comes at a terrible personal cost.
The Brazilian actress performed all her own driving stunts during the film’s chaotic car chase sequence. Sepulveda’s improvisation during the safe house interrogation scene was so effective that director Gareth Evans incorporated it into the final cut.
4- Justin Cornwell as Charlie
Cornwell delivers a breakout performance as the politician’s son whose disappearance exposes the city’s corruption. The actor underwent a dramatic physical transformation, dropping 30 pounds to portray Charlie’s deterioration during captivity. His character’s privileged background clashes horrifically with the underworld he’s thrust into, creating one of the film’s most disturbing arcs.
Cornwell’s most harrowing scene – a nearly silent sequence where he’s forced to play Russian roulette – was filmed in one unbroken take. The actor prepared by studying hostage accounts and working with trauma specialists to understand the psychological effects of prolonged captivity.
5- Timothy Olyphant as Vincent
Olyphant brings his trademark charm to the film’s most dangerous villain – a corrupt businessman whose legitimate enterprises mask monstrous crimes. The actor’s relaxed demeanor makes Vincent’s sudden bursts of violence even more shocking, particularly during a dinner party scene that turns deadly. Olyphant reportedly based his performance on several real-life white collar criminals, blending their mannerisms into a uniquely terrifying antagonist.
The Justified star performed his own stunt driving during Vincent’s escape sequence, which involved a spectacular multi-vehicle pileup on an actual city bridge. Olyphant’s improvisation during the final confrontation with Hardy created an electric dynamic that the director kept in the final cut.
