If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if John Wick took a break from fighting to sell houses, “Love Hurts” is here to give you an answer – sort of. This action-comedy follows Marvin Gable (Ke Huy Quan), a former hitman who’s now a successful realtor. But just when he’s about to live a peaceful, drama-free life, his past comes knocking – literally.
An old partner (Ariana DeBose) he left behind shows up, dragging him back into the mess he thought he’d escaped. Oh, and to make things worse? His crime lord brother (Daniel Wu) is out to get him.
The action is definitely the highlight here. Director Jonathan Eusebio, who’s worked on John Wick and Black Panther, knows how to make fight scenes look cool. Every punch, kick, and thrown chair feels intense but still fun to watch. If you like action movies where people get creative with their fighting, this one delivers. The choreography stands out, especially in moments when Marvin is forced to use whatever’s around him to get out of a sticky situation. There’s one memorable sequence where he takes on a group of henchmen while trying to sell a house – it’s over-the-top, hilarious, and incredibly satisfying.
Ke Huy Quan is great as Marvin – he’s funny, awkward, and surprisingly good at fighting bad guys while still looking like he doesn’t want to be there. The mix of action and comedy really works, especially in scenes where Marvin is just trying to sell a house, but instead, bullets start flying. His charm really carries the movie, and you can’t help but root for him, even if he’s kind of a mess.
Ariana DeBose also does a solid job as Rose. Her character is tough and mysterious, and you’re never quite sure whether she’s helping Marvin or setting him up for more trouble. While her chemistry with Ke Huy Quan isn’t the most electric, it’s still fun to watch them team up again after their criminal past. The back-and-forth banter is light and playful, which adds a nice layer of humour to the action-packed chaos around them.
The story is pretty predictable. If you’ve seen any “one last job” kind of movie, you already know how this goes. Marvin’s forced back into the dangerous world of crime, with a bunch of twists, turns, and betrayals thrown in along the way. At times, the film gets bogged down with trying to explain too much backstory about Marvin’s past – while that’s important for understanding his character, it slows down the momentum of the film. You might find yourself wishing for a bit more action to keep things exciting.
Another downside is the emotional depth – or lack thereof. The film has plenty of funny and thrilling moments, but it doesn’t quite dig deep enough into Marvin’s personal struggles or his relationship with his brother. There’s potential for some intense emotional drama, especially with Marvin trying to reconnect with his violent past, but instead, it leans more into surface-level action and comedy. Still, that’s not necessarily a deal breaker if you’re just looking for a fun ride.
Aside from Ke Huy Quan, the supporting cast adds a lot to the film’s energy. Daniel Wu plays Marvin’s brother, Knuckles, with a good mix of menace and family tension. You can tell he’s a bad guy, but there’s an interesting complexity to his character – you almost feel bad for him, even when he’s chasing down Marvin with a vengeance. Marshawn Lynch and Mustafa Shakir also pop up in supporting roles, adding some flavour to the mix. Their characters are quirky and entertaining, bringing some additional humour to the film’s already comedic tone.
“Love Hurts” isn’t trying to be the next “Mission: Impossible” – it just wants to have fun, and for the most part, it does. It’s a solid choice if you want some cool fight scenes, a few laughs, and Ke Huy Quan doing his thing. The action-packed finale wraps things up in a satisfying way, even though the journey there might feel a little uneven at times. There’s enough charm, humour, and action to make it worth the watch, but if you’re after a deep, emotional story, this might not be the movie for you.
So, if you’re in the mood for a fun, fast-paced action-comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Love Hurts is worth a watch. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
“Love Hurts” is now in cinemas.
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