Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose as an action duo? Now that’s not the obvious pairing that first comes to mind. But maybe that’s why it works so well. When Ariana DeBose handed an Oscar to Quan, no one could have predicted that the two would soon be teaming up as partners-in-crime in an action-comedy—and yet, here we are, eagerly awaiting the release of Love Hurts, hitting theaters on February 7, 2025.
Ke Huy Quan is clearly not your average action hero, which is exactly why his role in Love Hurts feels like a breath of fresh air. The film sees Quan playing Marvin Gable, an unassuming Milwaukee realtor whose past catches up to him—as pasts inevitably do. And it’s not just any past; Marvin’s brother, a crime lord known as Knuckles (Daniel Wu), wants him out of the picture. In classic reluctant-hero fashion, Marvin must come out of hiding to face his brother’s henchmen, but he doesn’t have to do it alone. Enter Rose, played by Ariana DeBose, whose chemistry with Quan seems to spark right off the screen in the newly released trailer.
Marvin and Rose have history, and not just the romantic kind. “When you stole from my brother, I got you out. Why did you come back?” Marvin asks in the trailer. “We’re hiding. And hiding ain’t living,” Rose replies, setting the tone for a reluctant reunion filled with old grievances and unresolved tension. This isn’t the typical formulaic action romp—there’s something very human about Quan’s portrayal of Marvin, a guy who’d much rather be showing you a cozy suburban home than grappling with his criminal past.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Quan shared his reaction to landing the role: “I was excited but very confused,” he said with a laugh. “I go, ‘Wait, why are they offering me this? I’m nothing like this.’ I even told my agent, ‘You guys should be calling Jason Statham. He’s going to love this script.’” He’s going to love this script.’” It’s that very sense of humor and self-awareness that Marvin brings to the film. Quan’s not playing your typical invincible action hero—Marvin’s a guy with flaws, with vulnerabilities, and with a very deep-seated wish to just stay out of trouble. But trouble, of course, comes looking for him.
Directed by John Wick stunt coordinator Jonathan Eusebio, Love Hurts shares some DNA with the Keanu Reeves-led franchise—there’s definitely the “retired hitman reluctantly returns” vibe—but Eusebio takes a lighter approach with Marvin. He’s a character more reluctant than lethal, one who’d genuinely rather hug it out than fight it out, until things escalate beyond the point of no return. The film’s action sequences promise to be electric, and with Eusebio at the helm, they’re likely to be top-notch—but it’s Marvin’s sincere desire to not hurt anyone that makes the film’s tension even more intriguing.
The cast list is stacked, with appearances by Daniel Wu as Marvin’s menacing brother, Knuckles, and comedic talents like Rhys Darby and Lio Tipton providing levity in what promises to be a fast-paced thrill ride. There’s also a bit of nostalgia at play, with Sean Astin—Quan’s Goonies co-star—making an appearance. Talk about full-circle moments. You’ve also got Marshawn Lynch and Mustafa Shakir thrown into the mix, which means Marvin’s gonna have his hands full trying to dodge and diffuse a whole lineup of baddies.
If the trailer is anything to go by, Love Hurts feels like the perfect kind of action film for those who are tired of the typical, testosterone-fueled action heroes. Marvin’s got depth, he’s got humor, and most importantly, he’s got Ke Huy Quan’s heart behind him. We’re used to seeing characters who are all bravado, but Marvin’s an unassuming guy who just wants a quiet life, and that’s what makes him such a refreshing presence on screen. It’s almost like the action hero we didn’t know we needed—one who’s not here to prove anything but just to survive, maybe even find a bit of peace along the way.
With Love Hurts, Quan continues to show the versatility that made him such a beloved figure in Everything Everywhere All At Once. He’s giving us action, comedy, and heart all wrapped into one, and come February 7, 2025, we’ll be there to see him dodge bullets and crack wise while doing it.
