Love Hurts is an exhilarating action comedy that embraces chaos with open arms, blending breakneck action, quirky humor, and an undeniable sense of fun. While it doesn’t entirely hold up under scrutiny, the film delivers a wildly entertaining experience, filled with impressively choreographed fight sequences, dark humor, and a surprising amount of heart. Directed by Jonathan Eusebio, a veteran stunt coordinator making his feature debut, the film is packed with adrenaline-fueled action and the kind of raw physicality that 87North has mastered in films like John Wick, Bullet Train, and Violent Night.
The story follows Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan), a seemingly mild-mannered real estate agent with a past he’d rather forget. But when his former partner-in-crime, Rose (Ariana DeBose), reappears with a vendetta, his carefully crafted suburban life is shattered, forcing him back into a world of contract killers, explosive betrayals, and showdowns in the most hilariously unexpected places. Add to that his estranged, crime-lord brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu), and a hit squad of eccentric and lethal killers, and what you get is an over-the-top, high-octane action flick that never lets up.
Badass Performances Across the Board
Ke Huy Quan absolutely shines in his first major leading action role. While Everything Everywhere All At Once showcased his martial arts skills, Love Hurts allows him to fully embody an action hero with depth, vulnerability, and a sharp comedic edge. His portrayal of Marvin is layered—he’s not just a guy with a violent past, but someone genuinely struggling with his identity. Quan’s physical performance is a highlight, seamlessly blending impeccable stunt work with his signature charm.
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Ariana DeBose is a force of nature as Rose, stealing nearly every scene she’s in. She brings a sharp mix of wit, ferocity, and unpredictability to her role, making her character as fascinating as she is dangerous. There’s a wild unpredictability to Rose—one moment she’s scheming with brilliance, the next, she’s completely unhinged, making for one of the most memorable performances in the film.
Daniel Wu delivers an intimidating and layered performance as Knuckles, Marvin’s menacing older brother and crime boss. His presence is commanding, and his martial arts skills make for some of the film’s best fight sequences. Knuckles isn’t just a one-dimensional villain—his twisted love for his brother and his unwillingness to let him go adds an emotional complexity that elevates the tension.
And then there’s Marshawn Lynch, who is a revelation. Known for his intensity on the football field, he brings that same presence to the screen, delivering a performance that’s both hilarious and legitimately menacing. He embodies raw, untamed aggression with a surprising amount of wisdom, making every moment he’s on-screen a treat.
Action Sequences That Are a Feast for the Eyes
With Jonathan Eusebio at the helm, it’s no surprise that Love Hurts delivers some of the most exhilarating action sequences of the year. The fight choreography is masterfully executed, blending fast-paced hand-to-hand combat, inventive weapon usage (yes, there’s a boba straw kill), and large-scale destruction. Each set piece is a work of art, whether it’s a real estate open house turned into a bullet-riddled war zone or a nightclub fight that plays out like an intricately choreographed dance of death.
What makes the action stand out is its seamless integration into the story. Every punch, kick, and gunshot serves a narrative purpose, revealing character and escalating the stakes. The final showdown between Marvin and Knuckles is especially mesmerizing—a brutally emotional clash that is as much about family as it is about survival.
A Film Has Power, But Doesn’t Quite Land a the Knockout
Where Love Hurts stumbles is in its narrative confidence. The film feels like it’s trying to be everything at once—action, comedy, romance, revenge thriller—which leads to some uneven pacing and a lack of clear focus. Some plot elements are over-explained, while others are barely touched upon. The film juggles multiple storylines, and while they are all entertaining in their own right, not all of them land with the impact they should.
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One of the biggest weaknesses is the romantic subplot. While Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose have fantastic chemistry as partners-in-crime, the romantic tension between their characters never quite feels organic. Their bond is far more compelling when framed as a dysfunctional, begrudging partnership rather than a love story. In contrast, an unexpected relationship that blossoms elsewhere in the film ends up stealing the show romantically—its authenticity, charm, and out of nowhere-ness makes it a more memorable and emotionally resonant dynamic.
A Worthwhile Ride with No Shortage of Laughs and Action
Despite its narrative hiccups, Love Hurts is a film that thrives on its high-energy action, stellar performances, and well-executed humor. It’s a movie that embraces its absurdity while delivering some of the best fight sequences in recent memory. If you’re looking for a fun, action-packed thrill ride with strong performances and wildly creative set pieces, Love Hurts is well worth the watch. Just don’t think too hard about it—the more you try to dissect it, the more it loses its charm.
For being a fun, light-hearted, heavy-hitting, good time at the theater, my Love Hurts review gets a
6/10
Love Hurts is set to hit theaters on February 7, 2025, just in time for a blood-splattered Valentine’s Day.
About Love Hurts
Release Date: February 7, 2025
Directed by: JoJo Eusebio
Written by: Matthew Murray & Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore
Producers: Kelly McCormick, David Leitch, Guy Danella
Executive Producer: Ben Ormand
Genre: Action
Starring: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch, André Eriksen
Synopsis
Quan stars as Marvin Gable, a realtor working the Milwaukee suburbs, where ‘For Sale’ signs bloom. Gable receives a crimson envelope from Rose (Oscar® winner Ariana DeBose; West Side Story, Argylle), a former partner-in-crime that he had left for dead. She’s not happy.
Now, Marvin is thrust back into a world of ruthless hitmen, filled with double-crosses and open houses turned into deadly warzones. With his brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu; Tomb Raider, Warcraft), a volatile crime lord, hunting him, Marvin must confront the choices that haunt him and the history he never truly buried.
Are you excited to see Ke Huy Quan step into a full-fledged action star role? Do you prefer action films that balance humor, or do you like them straight-up brutal? What’s the wildest object you’ve ever seen used in an action scene? Let us know your thoughts!
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