It pains me to know that after an incredible 2022-2023 Ke Huy Quan renaissance, which led to a well-deserved best supporting actor win at the 95^th Academy Awards, he was granted with a mediocre action comedy as a follow-up. Jonathan Eusebio’s directorial debut, Love Hurts, sees Quan in his first leading man role, something long overdue for his star power. Yet, the first-time director could not overturn this shoddy script into something worth Quan’s playing field. What we’re left with is a disappointing, rarely funny, genre-crossing mishap that doesn’t know what to do with its talent.

From Matthew Murray, Josh Stoddard, and Luke Passmore’s script, the story follows Marvin Gable (Quan), a sweet Milwaukee real estate agent who has turned his life over to make something more of himself. In the past, he was a dangerous assassin for his brother Knuckles (Daniel Wu). In between serving fresh cookies at open houses and giving his assistant Ashley (Lio Tipton) lovely pep talks, he works hard to create an office of positivity under the guidance of his best friend and boss Cliff (Sean Astin).

This new life that he’s worked hard to build seems to be going well for Marvin. That is, until he receives a Valentine’s Day note from his past partner and Knuckles’ lawyer, Rose (Ariana DeBose). Seemingly, she has returned from the dead with vengeance, ready to settle scores and complete her unfinished business. Renny (Cam Gigandet), King (Marshawn Lynch), Kippy (Rhys Darby), and Otis (André Eriksen) are some of her targets who also have plans of their own.

Love Hurts may have worked on paper, but it’s poorly executed for the big screen.

There’s no easy way to say this, but Love Hurts stinks. The story itself centers on Rose reentering Marvin’s life to add complications to his new-found peace in various ways. The first is to introduce us to Marvin and Rose’s backstories and their past lives that were filled with violence. The second is to hint at their one-way romance [from Marvin] to add context to why Rose isn’t dead in the first place. On paper, there’s nothing particularly wrong with any of this. But on screen, it’s a gigantic mess.

That’s mostly due to a script that takes an excruciating long time to get to the point. If you want to prove to us that the cutest, most charming actor today (Quan) was a talented assassin, you’ve got to show us—and convincingly so. But outside the early fight sequence with killer-for-hire, Roger “The Raven” (Mustafa Shakir), the flashbacks to this so-called past violent life are scarce and feeble. Furthermore, Eusebio’s camerawork is often shaky enough to make you suspend any residual ounce of belief.

Quan & DeBose’s lack of chemistry hurts this action comedy the most.

The severe lack of chemistry between Quan and DeBose also hurts the film. It’s odd, to say the least, because separately, these individuals are great actors, and they ooze star power. Together, something’s seriously missing. Instinctually, I’d like to blame that they simply are not given enough to do together—especially with the limited screen time shared. But it’s more than that. Rose’s sensual and taser-crazed prowess doesn’t mesh well with Gable’s mild-mannered [though talkative in fight sequences], comedic style, though I am SO positive that opposites do still attract. A seasoned director who could coach his talent in better directions would have worked here.

Mindless plot, silly romances, and jarring storytelling aside, there are sporadic laughs to be had here. That’s all thanks to Quan’s exceptional face acting and genuine reactions to what’s happening in scenes. Lynch and Eriksen’s tit-for-tat bickering offers some much needed delight as well.

The fight sequences, though hampered by a shaky camera, offer some entertainment when the storytelling falters. Often, we’ll see knives brought to gun fights, tasers brought to fist fights, and straws—well… to be used exactly how you’d expect them to in a David Leitch (John Wick, 2013, director) production. None of these great things stick, though. Because Love Hurts ultimately does the one thing you never want to see in a film that’s marketed for its star power: fail its own talent.

Love Hurts, from Universal Pictures, is in theaters Friday, February 7th. Check out the trailer below: