Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- harrowing
- provocative
- serious movie night
- social issue film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as a disappointing and conventional cautionary drama, though some found its street-world depiction harrowing and praised Anne Hathaway's performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Allison and Emily leave their insulated suburb to imitate a gangsta lifestyle in east los angeles, exposing the consequences of their detached curiosity.
The teenagers are influenced by hip-hop imagery and pursue a stylized version of gang life before encountering actual violence and criminal power.
The plot centers on insignificant-seeming actions that accumulate as the girls become entangled with gangs, drugs, and Hector.
The film moves Allison and Emily from a culturally homogenized upper-class suburb into east los angeles street culture.
Films like Havoc, and why
Thirteen
teenagers enter an unfamiliar criminal subculture, with a cautionary, socially observant crime-drama tone
Kids
young outsiders pursue a dangerous fantasy of street life, combining teen alienation, crime, and harsh consequences
Fresh
grounded urban crime drama about naïve young people confronting the realities behind a glamorized street lifestyle
Movie Details
- Director
- Barbara Kopple
- Release Date
- 2005-10-16
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 5.3 / 10 (366)
Cast
- Anne Hathaway
- Bijou Phillips
- Shiri Appleby
- Michael Biehn
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Matt O'Leary
- Freddy Rodríguez
- Laura San Giacomo
- Mike Vogel
- Raymond Cruz
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Havoc about?
- Two privileged teenagers seeking a rebellious street-life thrill discover that gang culture is neither a costume nor a safe experiment.
- What is Havoc like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Havoc as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Havoc violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Havoc as moderate.
- What did critics think of Havoc?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as a disappointing and conventional cautionary drama, though some found its street-world depiction harrowing and praised Anne Hathaway's performance.
- Which films are like Havoc?
- Films with a similar feel include Thirteen, Kids, and Fresh.
- How long is Havoc?
- Havoc runs 86 minutes.
- Where can I watch Havoc?
- In United States, Havoc is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
