Fans of MobLand will be used to seeing Tom Hardy in their current streaming history in a gritty, action-packed drama, with their attention quickly turning from the Paramount+ series to Netflix‘s Havoc, a brand-new thriller that has attained positive attention from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Havoc has stolen a solid 64% from critics, although its audience score of just 38% tells a somewhat different story. However, success isn’t simply measured by quality, with Netflix execs likely better pleased by the hugely impressive streaming numbers Havoc has been receiving.
Officially, Havoc is currently topping Netflix’s movie streaming charts in almost every country it is available in. In 79 out of a possible 93 countries, from Argentina to Vietnam, Havoc is number one for the world’s biggest streamer, with most of the few places it doesn’t hold the top spot seeing the movie finish second. This is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the pulling power of both Hardy and director Gareth Evans. Hardy, having recently led the aforementioned MobLand and tied up his superhero stint in the threequel Venom: The Last Dance, proves once again to be a huge draw for a major streamer, helping Havoc even outperform the latest season of one of Netflix’s flagship shows, You.
‘Havoc’ Doesn’t Always Stick the Landing
There are many great aspects of Havoc, not least Hardy’s brooding central performance, which marks a perfect summation of the actor’s best work. On top of this, a strong supporting cast and well-choreographed action sequences make Havoc an easily enjoyable watch, no doubt helping it rise to the top of almost every country’s Netflix streaming chart. Alas, these strong components weren’t enough for everyone to find their happiness in Havoc, with some critics negatively reviewing the flick, including Collider’s own Tania Hussain. Citing an overstuffed plot, CGI-heavy action, and frustrating pacing issues as reasons for her negative response, Hussain awarded the film a disappointing 4/10, concluding:
“While the vision by Evans swings hard as a stylishly savage brawler, it rarely lands with meaning, which also feels like an injustice to the filmmaker’s incredible past work. Despite a top-tier cast and bone-rattling action to keep you engaged, the Netflix flick buckles under a cluttered story with chaotic execution. It’s watchable, even entertaining in bursts — but beneath all the bruises and broken bones, there’s not much else to hold onto.”
Havoc is currently streaming on Netflix. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more updates on your favorite shows.
