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Havoc
2005 86 min Germany, United States of America R 16+
★5.6
Crime, Drama
Director: Barbara Kopple
Trailers
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Description
A wealthy Los Angeles teen and her superficial friends wants to break out of suburbia and experience Southern California's "gangsta" lifestyle. But problems arise when the preppies get in over their heads and provoke the wrath of a violent Latino gang. Suddenly, their role-playing seems a little too real.
Budget:
$9M
Worldwide:
$371,000
Starring
Anne Hathaway
Actor
Bijou Phillips
Actor
Shiri Appleby
Actor
Awards
1 win & 4 nominations total
Key opinion
Havoc is a polarizing exploration of privileged teenagers seeking thrills in dangerous subcultures, often criticized for its clichéd portrayal of boredom and wealth. While the narrative is frequently described as unfinished or predictable, the film succeeds for many as a gritty, atmospheric depiction of disaffected youth anchored by a transformative performance from Anne Hathaway.
| Acting | Anne Hathaway delivers a standout performance that successfully pivots her image toward mature, complex dramatic roles. | |
| Direction | The film utilizes a documentary-style aesthetic to effectively create a sense of raw, atmospheric tension during the characters' incursions into dangerous neighborhoods. | |
| Screenplay | The plot relies heavily on familiar tropes regarding wealthy, disaffected youth, leading many viewers to find the narrative arc predictable and underdeveloped. | |
| Theme | Opinions on the film's substance are divided; some praise its truthful, gritty immersion into a subculture of boredom, while others dismiss the story as an empty, clichéd exercise in style over substance. |