Love Hurts (Eusebio, 2025)

Written by Hailey Passmore

Ke Huy Quan is back in action! And though it might be nowhere near as epic as the stunts he pulled in Everything Everywhere All At Once (Scheinert & Kwan, 2022), it is great to see Quan returning to the big screen in another action film. The film, however, does not show Quan at his full potential audiences exhibited in Everything Everywhere All at Once, which is disappointing. That being said, while the film may be cheesy and as expected, it does have its moments and is not as bad as you’d think going in.

In Love Hurts, Jonathan Eusebio’s directorial debut, Quan teams up with Ariana DeBose. Predictable as ever, you can never escape your past, especially if you’ve been involved with the mafia. Quan stars as Marvin Gable, a realtor – or at least currently – who gets pulled back into the life he left after his former partner – Rose (DeBose) – reappears with a suspicious message. As with all “you can’t escape your past” crime films, while confronting his past, that was never fully buried, he must also deal with his crime-lord brother on his trail.

As an action film with an 83-minute runtime, it’s important for the action to start right away, and Love Hurts did just that. Audiences are introduced to Marvin Gable as he prepares for his daily life as a realtor, except today is Valentine’s Day and he wants to make it extra special for his clients. We are even graced with Gable’s inner thoughts as a voiceover, talking about the special day, and what it would be like for someone in your past to come back to you – foreshadowing much? Audiences are reminded of the plot of the film right away: Gable can’t truly escape his past until he confronts it, instead of running from it.

What is apparent in Love Hurts is the leaning into the Valentine’s Day trope, constantly having characters reminisce and talk about their lost love, their current love, or their want for love. While it’s a funny trope to lean into, especially with the timed release – only one week before Valentine’s Day – it does become a bit overused by the end of the film. The focus of lost and found love, as well, causes some predictability to occur with central and secondary characters.

While some may wish Quan’s talents, Oscar winning talents might I add, could have been put to better use, it is still nice to see him continue in the action genre and not disappear again. Love Hurts released in cinemas February 7th, and it is a funny Valentine’s watch. Give it a try but keep your expectations low. You might even get a The Goonies (Donner, 1985) reunion.

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