Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Before becoming a director, Jonathan Eusebio was a stuntman on “John Wick” and “The Fall Guy.” In an interview with Inquirer, he shared how he progressed through the ranks, eventually becoming an assistant director on “Deadpool 2.” This month, Eusebio made his directorial debut in the film, “Love Hurts.” The movie features some of the most intense action sequences of the year, but its narrative seemed secondary to its complicated choreography.

Eusebio used his knowledge of complex fight routines for his first time in the director’s chair. Clocking in at a brief 83 minutes, “Love Hurts” places a clear emphasis on its creatively designed action sequences. Many of these scenes in “Love Hurts” are anchored by actor Ke Huy Quan, who plays Marvin Gable, the movie’s protagonist. They’re well-crafted, blending R-rated violence with Quan’s undeniable charm. But Eusebio’s inexperience in directing is evident, as the film’s weak narrative lacks depth.

The opening scene introduces Marvin, a successful realtor, as he celebrates Valentine’s Day with his company. After receiving an ominous red envelope from someone in his dark past, his seemingly ordinary persona takes a mysterious turn.

This shift is revealed through the first of many action sequences. Marvin showcases his combat skills while trying to fly under the radar, a typical trope in the action genre. In action movies like “The Equalizer” and other superhero movies, each fight sequence integrates the story’s plot. In “Love Hurts,” these sequences seem disconnected from the overarching story.

The action scenes are often misplaced and stand alone in execution. In a tense encounter with The Raven (Mustafa Shakir), a henchman with an arsenal of knives, Marvin navigates the threat while remaining silent in his office. After knocking The Raven out, he rushes to find Rose (Ariana DeBose), who he presumed wrote the letter.

It’s revealed that Marvin was originally assigned to murder Rose, a lawyer who represents his brother. In an act of compassion, he spared her life, saying she must never be seen again. Shortly after this decision, Marvin abandons his life as a hitman and pursues a quieter life as a realtor.

Upon discovering that Rose is still alive, Marvin’s brother Knuckles Gable (Daniel Wu) assigns a squad of henchmen to capture both her and Marvin. They soon encounter Marvin, triggering yet another combat sequence. Marvin narrowly escapes and continues his search for Rose.

The two eventually meet, but fail to establish a connection as they each want different things. Shortly after, Rose sets out to kill Marvin’s brother.

Despite the simplistic love story between Marvin and Rose, the film’s numerous action scenes are expertly executed. The film is shot in classic action manner, employing quick cuts and fast sequences to emulate a true fight. After Rose departs, all three henchmen converge on Marvin for a penultimate fight scene.

Alex Levy | Contributing Illustrator

The battle contains fast-paced choreography and a series of brutal exchanges that leave Marvin battered. The scene features sweeping camera movements that circle both Rose and Marvin as they take on waves of henchmen. Inserts of sword slashes and taser sparks further elevate the scene’s intensity.

Beyond these moments, however, the camerawork does little to enhance the film. Eusebio’s focus is clearly on these fast-paced scenes, and less on the overall narrative and characters. The camera is only a window into the characters’ interactions — not their emotions.

Marvin finally finds Rose in his brother’s lair, where the two unite in a “Kill Bill”-style showdown against an army of henchmen. After eliminating the foes, Marvin and his brother engage in one final brawl and Marvin finishes him once and for all. The story concludes with Marvin and Rose sharing a kiss as they achieve unity.

Character development in the film is minimal as each character feels stereotypical and lacks depth. Marvin is the only character who’s given any substance, though he still lacks an established arc. The dialogue is strictly used to deliver exposition rather than stimulate development between characters. Due to its short run time, the film leans heavily on its fight scenes as its storytelling device.

For many viewers, the appeal of an action movie is centered around fight scenes, rather than a particularly complex or clean narrative. Eusebio’s vision showcases his skill and experience level in action direction, but lacks a multi-layered narrative.

Published on February 18, 2025 at 11:33 pm