Ke Huy Quan, fresh from his Oscar win for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” tries to leverage his newfound fame in “Love Hurts.” The film attempts to blend action and romance, but ultimately falls flat due to poor execution.
In this Valentine’s Day-themed stunt show, Quan plays Marvin Gable, a former hitman turned real estate agent. Despite his convincing portrayal of the character, he struggles to convincingly portray both the tough guy and the sensitive romantic lead. The film’s director, Jonathan Eusebio, is also new to feature films, which may have contributed to the uneven tone.
The plot revolves around Marvin’s unrequited love for Rose, played by Ariana DeBose, who stole $4 million from his former boss, Knuckles (Daniel Wu). As Marvin tries to win her back, he must confront his past as a hitman. However, the convoluted storyline and poor acting hold the film back.
The action scenes are flashy but unimpressive, with Quan’s lack of martial arts expertise making some fight choreography look rehearsed. The dialogue is also cringe-worthy, with characters explaining long stretches about Rose’s past for the audience’s benefit.
Despite its promising premise, “Love Hurts” ultimately fails to deliver a compelling romance or satisfying action sequences. With poor acting and implausible plot twists, this film is a misfire that doesn’t live up to Quan’s Oscar-winning performance in his previous film.
Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/love-hurts-review-1236298598