Valentine’s Day normally brings with it a crop of sentimental movies, but Love Hurts tells it otherwise—that is if one considers the film to be steeped in love, filled with action and crime, and encased in a cheeky coat of humor. With Ke Huy Quan starring as Marvin, a one-time hitman turned real estate agent, this movie attempts to wean romance into an action comedy. Is it a hit? Let’s find out by diving into this rollercoaster clocked at 80 minutes.
Rating: (3/5)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Love Hurts |
| Director | Jonathan Eusebio |
| Genre | Action, Comedy, Romance |
| Release Date | February 7, 2025 |
| Runtime | 1h 23m |
| Main Cast | Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Mustafa Shakir |
| Rating | R |
Synopsis
Marvin is a former hitman working as an estate agent. However, his previous life knocks on his door, courtesy of one woman looking for his “special skills.” With that, he’s dragged into chaos to interact with over-the-top action, awkward romance, and comedic misfires, all tangled in a crime-revenge narrative.
Action Scenes – The Punchy Highpoint
If there’s one thing Love Hurts nails, it’s the action. Directed by a veteran stunt coordinator on his debut, the fight choreography is certainly a highlight. Hits are hard, and some scenes actually do sting. Still, the tension often goes missing-that’s impossible damage taken by characters who’re not even hurt by it. And those knives flying around on CGI don’t help-most moments end up hilariously unintentional.
Tone & Identity Crisis
The biggest problem the film faces is that it just doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be. Love Hurts is trying to be an action-comedy romantic movie, a crime thriller, and a satire—all at the same time. That results in something of a big mess and nothing that sticks to one definition or another. Some scenes read as more like SNL spoofs of action films than the films themselves.
Inadequate Romance
The love story is so contrived. Marvin’s romance with the female lead (Jane Doe) is awkwardly non-convincing. Rather than having the potential for being a realistic romance, it serves more as a tool to bring Marvin back into his murderous past. The subplot romance of the hitman and his clinically depressed coworker also comes across as being shoved in.
Comedic Hits & Misses
Marshawn Lynch yelling “Beast Mode” mid-tackle? Funny. Does a boba straw kill? Not really. The film cannot seem to find a balance between comedy and brutality, leaving the audience with whiplash from tonal shifts. Some jokes work, but most of them do not.
Positives & Negatives
| Positives | Negatives |
|---|---|
| Exciting, well-choreographed action | Lacks a consistent tone |
| Ke Huy Quan shines in his role | Romance feels forced and uninspired |
| Some fun comedic moments | Overuse of CGI in action scenes |
| Short and fast-paced (80 minutes) | Feels like an SNL parody rather than a real movie |
Conclusion
Love Hurts came close to realizing everything it was trying to be, the main issue with this film is the constant switch between a tone or genre, the romance is rather shallow, the comedy is hit or miss, and the film can’t seem to decide which way it wants to go with itself. It’s a fun watch if you don’t take it seriously, but not worth a theater ticket. You’re better off watching the trailer—it gives you the same experience in two and a half minutes.
FAQs
1. Is Love Hurts worth watching?
If you enjoy action-comedy with over-the-top sequences and don’t mind an inconsistent tone, it’s a fun watch. Otherwise, skip it.
2. How does Ke Huy Quan perform?
He’s the film’s best feature: action meets comedy well, but the bad script holds it back.
3. How much is Love Hurts a film of romance and how much of an action film?
The action is strongly leaned on while romance is given an afterthought.
4. How bloody is the film?
It gets very bloody in an over-the-top, almost cartoonish style. Expect stylish action rather than graphic violence. Would it make for a good Valentine’s Day film?
5. Is it a good Valentine’s Day movie?
Only if you want an action-packed alternative to typical romantic films. Otherwise, it doesn’t fit the holiday vibe.
