Love Hurts

Universal Pictures

Director: JoJo Eusebio

Writer: Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore

Cast: Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch and André Eriksen

Opens: February 7, 2025

Screened at: AMC Lincoln Square, New York City, NY, 2/5/25

The most seemingly mild-mannered pillar of the community can ultimately become an unlikely hero as he determinedly tries to leave behind his life’s darkest secret. However, actor Ke Huy Quan’s protagonist realizes that he’ll never be able to truly separate himself from his violent past in the new martial arts action comedy, ‘Love Hurts.’ As a result, he’s embarking on a visceral journey of revenge.

On his first major lead role, Quan, who won the Best Supporting Oscar in 2023 for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once,’ worked with acclaimed action production company 87North. The company, which has produced such groundbreaking action films as ‘Atomic,’ Blonde,’ ‘Nobody‘ and ‘Violent Night,’ crafted the perfect story of retaliation for the performer. His protagonist comes to embrace the fact that being a true pillar of his community means fighting for the people he truly loves, even if that means putting himself into danger.

The company’s latest visceral project marks the directorial feature debut of Jonathan Eusebio, who began his career creating stunts for some of the biggest action movies in recent history, including the ‘John Wick’ series and ‘Violent Night.’ ‘Love Hurts,’ which was written by Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard and Luke Passmore, will be released in theaters tomorrow, February 7, by Universal Pictures.

‘Love Hurts’ follows Marvin Gable (Quan), who appears to be a perfectly normal and successful real estate agent in the Milwaukee suburbs at the firm of his kindly boss, Cliff (Quan’s ‘The Goonies’ co-star, Sean Astin). However, it’s soon revealed that he’s a former hitman who worked for his older brother, a lethal crime boss who’s known as Knuckles (Daniel Wu).

Marvin’s past comes back to haunt him when he receives mysterious valentines from his former partner-in-crime, Rose (fellow Academy Award winner, Ariana DeBose). Knuckles also begins to receive the notes from Rose, as well. So he sends one of his deadly assassins, the Raven (Mustafa Shakir), to his brother’s office to find out where she’s been hiding.

However, Marvin insists that he doesn’t know, despite being the one Knuckles ordered to kill her several years ago. However, he instead chose to defy his brother’s orders and save her life, as he loves her.

After Marvin and the Raven engage in an ultra-violent fight, Rose soon reappears to help save her former partner. They must also fight off the murderous efforts of several of Knuckles’ other henchmen – King (former NFL player Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch) and Otis (Andre Eriksen) and Renny (‘Violent Night‘ star, Cam Gigandet), who has secret motives of his own.

With the ease of collaboration between Eusebio and stunt designer/coordinator and second-unit director, Can Aydin, ‘Love Hurt’ intriguingly intertwines contemporary Eastern and Western action styles and physical comedy.  The film also thrives on 87North‘s signature approach to intense, character-driven combat that Eusebio thrived in creating in his earlier collaborations with the company.

Each fight sequence emphasizes Marvin’s emotional journey, from restrained precision to explosive confrontations as he must confront his past. The filmmakers utilized Quan’s martial arts background, which helped him secure his Oscar for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once,’ to create his dynamic combat sequences as Marvin, particularly through a high usage of practical effects.

Quan’s stunts were stunningly brought to the screen by the movie’s cinematographer, Bridger Nielson, who also has a long-standing relationship with 87North. After working with the production company and Eusebio on such films as ‘Violent Night’ and ‘The Fall Guy,’ the cinematographer’s visual style was heavily influenced by the action sequences of Hong Kong cinema.

Marvin’s dual life was not only distinguished by his growing ease in his fight sequences, but also through an enthralling vintage lens system that utilized color contrast. His life as a real estate agent is portrayed with a muted, monotone palette, while his past life featured vibrant colors. As he reconnects with Rose, Nielson introduces vivid hues that are associated with their former relationship.

‘Love Hurts’ visual aesthetic was also aided by its production design team, which was led by Craig Sandells. He collaborated with Nielson to build suitable, intriguing and practical sets that fit the story’s contemporary aesthetic and accommodated the action sequences.

Marvin’s current life as a real estate agent is designed with a gripping, minimalist aesthetic, while his former life as an enforcer is represented by dramatic and exaggerated finishes. Like the film’s cinematography, its production design also thrived on its color intensity. The action comedy moving from pale neutrals in locations set in the protagonist’s present to riotous color in spots that represent his past.

Much like 87North’s previous groundbreaking action movies, including ‘Atomic,’ Blonde,’ ‘Nobody’ and ‘Violent Night,’ its latest feature thrives in its visuals. Quan engaged in dynamic combat sequences as Marvin that emphasize the protagonist’s emotional journey. Quan’s stunts were stunningly brought to the screen by the stunning cinematography of 87North and Eusebio’s long-time collaborator, Nielson. Combined with the slick visual aesthetic created by Sandells and the production design team, ‘Love Hurts’ is a visually stunning story that emphasizes how people who are determined to seek revenge can ultimately achieve redemption.

Technical: A-

Acting: B

Story: B

Grade: B+