If you’re a movie lover, then chances are you were rooting for Ke Huy Quan during last year’s award season. Hollywood adores a comeback story, and few were more deserving than Quan, who spent decades with memorable side roles but never received that elusive leading-man opportunity. With Love Hurts, he finally steps into the spotlight, leading his own action film inspired by the energetic, comedic, and acrobatic fighting style popularized by Jackie Chan. But how well does Quan fare in this high-stakes endeavor? The answer: he shines far more than the movie itself.
Love Hurts follows Marvin Gable, a seemingly ordinary realtor whose life is turned upside down when his past as a highly trained assassin catches up to him. Rose, a target he was supposed to eliminate years ago, has returned, setting off a chain of events that forces Marvin to confront his old life. The story follows the familiar trope of an average man revealed to be a deadly assassin, a narrative that has gained traction in recent years with films like Nobody. While it’s not breaking any new ground, the success of a film like this largely depends on its execution, charismatic lead, and well-choreographed action sequences. Unfortunately, Love Hurts struggles to fully capitalize on these elements.
Quan is undoubtedly the strongest aspect of the movie. He brings his signature charm and warmth to Marvin, making him an instantly likable protagonist. The actor maintains the endearing, almost golden-retriever-like quality that audiences love him for, but his true strength is showcased when his new life crumbles before his eyes. There’s a rawness to his performance—his devastation feels real, and that emotional depth adds weight to the film. This desperation helps ground some of his more questionable decisions, making them feel more natural rather than absurd.
Ariana DeBose, fresh off a rough 2024 with Kraven the Hunter, delivers a decent performance as Rose. While her charisma is evident, her hand-to-hand combat sequences appear sluggish at times, which slightly dampens the film’s action appeal. The age gap between DeBose and Quan is noticeable, and while they do their best to sell their dynamic, it might have been more effective with a more age-appropriate co-star. Still, DeBose holds her own and provides enough presence to keep the character compelling, even if her role occasionally veers toward the expository.
One of the more surprising performances comes from Marshawn Lynch, whose subdued approach to his character defies expectations. Known for his larger-than-life persona, Lynch instead plays things relatively low-key here, managing to get a few laughs but never overshadowing the main players. What’s even more unexpected is how Andre Erikson, who plays his scene partner, ends up stealing the spotlight with a surprisingly entertaining arc centered on winning back his wife. Meanwhile, fans of The Goonies will appreciate the brief but memorable reunion between Quan and Sean Astin. Astin plays Marvin’s cheerful Texan boss, who delivers one of the film’s most enjoyable moments before his limited screen time comes to an end.
Daniel Wu’s antagonist, Knuckles, is a mixed bag. While Wu’s screen presence is undeniable, the character suffers from a lack of development. The film never fully explores the history between Marvin and Knuckles, which weakens their ultimate confrontation. Additionally, much of Wu’s dialogue appears to have been redubbed in post-production, which makes some of his scenes feel disjointed. It’s not quite at the level of Madame Web’s awkward villain dialogue, but it’s certainly noticeable. Thankfully, at least the film avoids any distracting AI voice-matching.
Perhaps the strangest yet most amusing cameo comes from Drew Scott of Property Brothers fame. His brief appearance leads to one of the funniest and most unexpected moments in the film, an addition that feels oddly fitting in a movie that sometimes struggles to maintain its tonal balance.
Narratively, Love Hurts is somewhat inconsistent. Marvin narrates most of the film, but the interludes featuring Rose feel overly expository, spoon-feeding information that could have been conveyed more organically. The film also fails to deliver satisfying payoffs for many of its subplots, leaving certain character arcs feeling incomplete. The relationship between Marvin and Knuckles, which should have been a central emotional and action-driven conflict, lacks depth, ultimately making their final showdown feel underwhelming.
Surprisingly, Love Hurts places a stronger emphasis on its characters than its action sequences. While this can be refreshing in an action film, the execution leaves something to be desired. The action itself, when it does happen, is solid but not particularly groundbreaking. The sequences are brief and lack the sustained intensity that audiences might expect from a film positioned as a martial arts showcase for Quan. Many of the fight scenes are cleanly executed but lack the raw, chaotic energy of something like Everything Everywhere All at Once. There’s a particularly memorable moment where Marvin repeatedly stabs an enemy, which hints at a grittier, more intense tone, but the film largely shies away from that level of brutality. The overall body count remains surprisingly low, which may disappoint viewers expecting a more visceral action experience.
With this being Quan’s first major foray into leading-man territory, the question remains: is Love Hurts the kind of film that will secure his place as a bankable action star? The answer is complicated. He certainly proves he has the capability, nailing both the emotional beats and the physical demands of the role. However, the film itself does little to elevate his performance, ultimately feeling like a project that could have been released a decade ago without much fanfare. If Quan wants to continue leading action films, he may need to be more selective with his choices.
One thing’s for sure: after watching Love Hurts, audiences will never look at a boba straw the same way again. While the film isn’t a complete misfire, it fails to make a significant impact, offering a decent but ultimately forgettable action experience. For Quan, it’s a promising step into the spotlight, but he’ll need a stronger film to truly solidify his place as a leading man.
Final verdict: Love Hurts is a serviceable but unremarkable action flick, elevated by Quan’s undeniable charm and dedication. However, with an underdeveloped story, inconsistent pacing, and lackluster action set pieces, it lands somewhere in the realm of mediocrity. It’s worth a watch for Quan fans, but don’t expect a genre-defining experience.
6.1/10
Do you have an inspiring story or idea to share? Email us at [email protected]. We’d love to feature your work!
