Love Hurts (2025) Review 

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“Love Hurts” Film Details

Runtime: 1 Hour and 23 Minutes
Release Date: February 7, 2025
Initially Available On/Via: Theatrical Release
Advisory Film Rating: Rated R
Genre(s): Action, Comedy, Romance
Distributor(s): Universal Pictures
Director(s): Jonathan Eusebio
Writer(s): Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore

Summary

Many years ago, Marvin left his brother, Alvin’s, criminal organization and decided to work in realty. He’s good at it and makes a decent living, but to leave his brother’s organization, he had to kill a woman named Rose. Marvin loves her, and he spares her life, but with her return comes old secrets and Marvin having to face Alvin and be reintroduced to why his brother’s nickname is “Knuckles.”

Character Descriptions

Marvin (Ke Huy Quan)

Marvin used to be one of Knuckles’ monsters, in terms of enforcing his rule. However, having a soft spot for Rose made Marvin want a simpler life. So, after he helped her fake his death, he removed himself from crime, became a realtor, and found the kind of joy that had long been absent from working with his brother.

• The actor is also known for their role in “American Born Chinese.”

Alvin, aka Knuckles (Daniel Wu)

As the head of a criminal organization that often works with the Russian mafia, Knuckles was a dangerous man. Add in most of his major henchmen being immensely talented fighters, and to say he was anything less than formidable would have been an insult. But, with Rose’s return comes a challenge to his imposed order and a need to remind people he isn’t one to mess with.

Rose (Ariana DeBose)

Rose formerly was Alvin’s right hand, but due to her and others getting greedy, lines were crossed, and lives had to end to show Knuckles couldn’t be undermined. But, thanks to Marvin, she was given a second chance she is willing to throw away, for she doesn’t see hiding as any real kind of living.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Wish.”

Review

Highlight(s)

• The Action Is Entertaining [83/100]

While you can criticize and question a lot of what goes on in “Love Hurts,” you can’t deny whether it is with guns, blades, or hand-to-hand combat, this movie delivers. The main reason is that most fights happen in confined spaces, and the animosity between parties has it where, most of the time, there isn’t a lot of talking and posturing once the fight starts. People generally fight until someone gets knocked down, knocked out, or is dead.

Low Point(s)

• Ariana DeBose and Ke Huy Quan Utterly Lack The Chemistry Needed To Be Seen As A Legitimate Romance [62/100]

As the topic notes, there is just so much lacking in “Love Hurts” to believe DeBose and Quan could be two people with crushes on each other. Maybe it is because DeBose often comes out of place and wants to be seen as a badass looking for revenge rather than a character with any interest in love? Perhaps, in a similar light, Quan, in trying to present how most see him but also push against that and have Melvin be this violent killer, wasn’t really focused on presenting himself as a viable love interest?

Their performances push you to wonder if director Jonathan Eusebio, with working with two Oscar winners, maybe trusted them a bit too much and felt potentially uncomfortable, with this being his directorial debut, to rein either one in or push them to be more believable. But, to make matters worse, the writing of “Love Hurts” doesn’t compensate, so you can at least know that because of this moment, this pattern in their relationship is why these two have feelings for one another.

On The Fence

• “Love Hurts” Pursuit Of Comedy Is More Awkward Than Funny [73/100]

Alongside the romance, when it comes to “Love Hurts” feeling a bit off, the comedy sometimes can feel the same. Now, I will admit, sometimes an awkward moment can end up funny, in a recognizing it is comical more than audibly laugh kind of way. But, more often than not, it can seem that anything that isn’t a fight scene is a series of stumbles, usually taking the story and characters forward, but rarely in such a way that presents everyone is in sync.

Overall

Our Rating (72/100): Mixed (Divisive)

It’s hard to say it was just one thing that went wrong with “Love Hurts.” From bad romantic chemistry between the leads, comedy that feels forced and awkward, a director with extensive movie experience but lacks directorial experience, or your usual action scenes, which are far more interesting than the reason behind a single fight, “Love Hurts” struggles.

Now, it isn’t so bad that it isn’t worth checking out, but I would never say this is something to go out of your way and see in a theater. “Love Hurts” is firmly the type of film that should be seen on a streaming platform.

Content Information

• Dialog: Cursing
• Violence: Gun Violence, Gore, Blood, Torture, Notable Fight Scenes
• Sexual Content: Nothing Notable
• Miscellaneous: Drinking

What To Check Out Next

Links

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