Whilst its title might suggest utter carnage from the outset, Mayhem! actually begins as a much more quiet and contemplative affair.
In theaters and available for rent as of January 5, 2024 through IFC Films, Xavier Gens’ (Hitman 2007, Cold Skin 2017) new Action Thriller follows kickboxer Sam (Nassim Lyes: Spy 2019, Birds of Paradise 2021). Determined to escape his crime ridden past and the bad influences of those around him, Sam manages to build a new life for himself in Thailand. Now living a simple existence with his wife Mia (Loryn Nounay: L’enfant du paradis 2022, En terrasse 2023) and daughter Dara (Chananticha Chaipa: The Greatest Beer Run Ever 2022, The Creator 2023), all Sam wants to do is build his family the perfect home.
After finding the ideal piece of land in which to build their home, Sam and Mia are disappointed to find that another buyer has outbid them for the land. Sam decides to go and appeal to the other buyer to let him have the land instead. The only problem is that the other buyer is dangerous mob boss Narong (Oliver Gourmet: Rosetta 1999, Two Days, One Night 2014) who agrees to let Sam have the land if he does a job for him. Sam reluctantly agrees but when the job goes horribly wrong, Narong retaliates by going after Sam’s family in the most brutal of ways.
Revenge is a popular sub-genre in cinema and certainly audiences will be well-versed in what follows next, namely a devastated and determined husband/father goes on a journey of violence and savagery in order to avenge his family. However, just because the story beats are familiar, it doesn’t mean that Mayhem! is not worth a watch.
That in mind, one of the film’s strongest elements is that it presents audiences with an interesting lead character. Sam is by no means a perfect man. He has a troubled past, he has relied on violence throughout his life and will rely on it again, and he almost always seems to make the wrong decision. Yet he has two very different sides that are fascinating to observe. On the one hand, he is handy with his fists and not someone who you would like to meet down a dark alley. But on the other hand, he is quiet and thoughtful. He is a loving family man and is extremely protective and loyal. Sam is a character that audiences want to follow and see what happens to.
Another point in the film’s favor is that it is very visually appealing. Shot really well, Mayhem! also features some very brutal fight scenes in which the punches reverberate so powerfully, the audience almost feels as though they can feel them through the screen. Fans of action thrillers with brutal fight scenes will definitely enjoy Mayhem! once the ‘mayhem’ hits. Overall, Mayhem! is a great example of a film that might not bring anything particularly new, but what it does bring is good enough that it doesn’t matter. That is why Cryptic Rock gives it 4 out of 5 stars.
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