Love Hurts - A Movie Review

Every day is an opportunity to change your life.

After winning several fights, Love Hurts was released to theaters in 2025. Marvin Gable is a happy home realtor. When his former partner-in-crime returns, Marvin is tossed back into his life as a secret agent. With his crime-lord brother also on his trail, he must confront his past.

I love going to movie theaters to laugh with an audience. That was the best part about Love Hurts. Aside from its comical nature, Love Hurts is underdeveloped. Not much transpires in the film, delivering one action scene too many.

This marks Ke Huy Quan’s first leading role as Marvin Gable. Goonies fans remember Quan as Data from the hit 80s film. Since his breakout role in Everything Everywhere, I am unsure if this was the right role for Quan. Quan is adorable and comical as ever, also showcasing his action talents. The film showcases hidden talents.

Love Hurts also stars Ariana DeBose, another actress who has struck new ground in films like The Prom and West Side Story. However, her character and relationship with Marvin don't make sense.

The film creates an assortment of subplots with a variety of characters. A lot is packed into this 80-minute film. You have Ashley (Lio Tipton), an unprofessional assistant, falling for The Raven (Mustafa Shakir), an assassin. In his spare time from killing people, he likes writing poetry. They spend most of their scenes talking about poems and their feelings.

Alvin ‘Knuckles’ Gable (Daniel Wu) is after his brother. Andre Erikson and Marshawn Lynch pass around comical dialogue and fight Marvin. If you have not yet seen the film Bottoms, you have to see it for Lynch’s comical performance. He has become a breakout star since then.

Another Goonies star is in the film. Sean Astin has a small role as Cliff Cussick. The real-life friendship between Astin and Quan cemented their characters.

Love Hard is primarily action. Not a scene passes without a fight. The fight scenes are well-choreographed but where is the story? Was there a story?

The stunts are cool to watch. The actors did their own stunts! Quan has been trained in martial arts since he was a kid. Actors perform several high-energy flips and turns. Viewers can learn about defense skills. Be warned, fights get pretty graphic. I cringed a few times. Knives stick through body parts and there’s a lot of blood.

This was Jonathan Eusebio’s first time in the directing chair. Given Eusebio’s background in the stunt world, most focus was on this angle. He focuses on each actor’s stunt history to accommodate their needs in the film. At least practical effects were used more over digital. Practical effects add more realism.

Drawing inspiration from his martial arts background and previous work, he ensures that each sequence is dynamic and engaging. Not much time is spent on character development or the plot. The comedy was an important element to Eusebio in providing levity for audiences. The film doesn’t take itself seriously either so enjoy it for what it is.

Love Hurts is funny. My friend and I belted out laughing several times. The audience was having fun with it too. Despite the mixed reviews, it should be mentioned that Love Hurts is a lighthearted comedy. Lighthearted may not be the right word with all the violence. We could use more comedies right now to distract us from the world.

Love Hurts is worth checking out, especially for anyone who likes the action genre. It’s a comical movie that keeps you laughing.