Love Hurts Movie Review 2025
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| love hurts Review 2025 |
Introduction
Like many Gen-Xers, I was thrilled when Ke Huy Quan won
an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All at Once. His comeback story was
inspiring, and the announcement of him leading an action-comedy made me even
more excited. Now that Love Hurts has been released, the question is:
does it live up to the hype?
Love hurts trailer
Plot Summary
Marvin, a successful realtor, receives a crimson
envelope from his former partner, Rose, which pulls him back into a ruthless
world of hitmen. As open houses turn into deadly war zones and a volatile crime
lord hunts him down, Marvin must confront his haunting past and the choices he
never truly buried.
Ke Huy Quan Shines as Marvin
Quan is instantly likable as Marvin, a realtor who
excels at his job not just because he can sell homes but because he makes
people want to buy from him. His sincerity and kindhearted approach set him
apart. However, what most people don’t know is that he harbors a deadly
secret—his past is full of death and brutality.
The Major Flaw: Weak Storytelling
Let’s rip the band-aid off—Love Hurts has a
poorly structured story. The film throws us into the middle of the action with
little to no context. Marvin arrives at a location and is suddenly attacked,
but the explanation for why is vague and underdeveloped. Characters are thrown
into the mix randomly, making it feel like parts of the script were cut.
At just 83 minutes, the film could have benefited from
an extra 10–20 minutes to flesh out the plot. Even the main villain is
underdeveloped, missing the depth that could have made Marvin’s choices more
compelling. Multiple subplots feel incomplete, and the film relies on lengthy,
unoriginal exposition rather than organic storytelling.
Chemistry and Performances
Ariana DeBose plays Rose, Marvin’s love interest and
former partner, but their chemistry is nonexistent. While Quan does his best to
sell the romance, it feels one-sided, making Marvin look like a sad guy pining
after someone who doesn’t care. Their interactions are rushed, leaving no room
for the audience to connect with their relationship.
The supporting cast delivers mixed performances.
Marshawn Lynch, known for his comedic timing, feels somewhat off here—perhaps
due to weak writing. Mustafa Shakir, on the other hand, crafts a bizarre yet
entertaining adversary, playing a soft-spoken poet with a lethal edge. Sean
Astin has a small role and brings his natural charm, offering a nostalgic treat
for Goonies fans. Lio Tipton nails the portrayal of Marvin’s bored and
snarky assistant, providing solid comedic relief.
The Action Saves the Film
Despite its storytelling flaws, Love Hurts
excels in action choreography and editing. The fight scenes are fast, brutal,
and impressively staged. Quan appears to do many of his own stunts, engaging in
intense combat featuring martial arts, knife fights, gunplay, and all-out
brawling.
The film avoids excessive quick cuts, allowing for
lengthy fight sequences with clear visibility of the action. The top-down
shots, in particular, provide an exciting perspective, showcasing characters
battling multiple opponents at once. Additionally, the film’s use of sound
design—especially the bass-heavy impacts during fights—adds an extra layer of
intensity.
Surprisingly, the movie also delivers shocking moments
of gore, which are well-executed and elicit genuine reactions from the
audience.
Audience Reception vs. Critical View
While I found the story to be a major letdown, the
audience I watched the film with absolutely loved it. They audibly praised the
action and had a great time. If you’re looking for 83 minutes of action-packed
chaos without caring about the plot, Love Hurts will satisfy. However,
if you want a memorable story, this film will disappoint.
Final Verdict
Love Hurts rushes its storytelling, skimps on character
development, and dumps exposition through uninspired narration, leaving the
plot thin and forgettable. That said, Ke Huy Quan is charismatic, likable, and
delivers convincing action sequences with his martial arts skills. The stunt
work and choreography make for exhilarating fight scenes, but the weak story
drags down the overall experience.
Summery
Ke Huy Quan’s action-comedy Love Hurts delivers
thrilling fight sequences but suffers from weak storytelling. Quan shines as
Marvin, a realtor with a violent past, who is forced back into a world of
hitmen. While his performance is charismatic, the film’s rushed plot,
underdeveloped villain, and weak romance fail to leave a lasting impact.
The action, however, is top-notch, featuring
well-choreographed stunts, brutal fights, and dynamic cinematography. Audience
reactions were positive despite the film’s flaws. If you seek non-stop action, Love
Hurts delivers, but don’t expect a strong narrative.
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