Ke Huy Quan‘s first action movie as a leading man is leaving critics and audiences incredibly divided. The actor first rose to fame as a child star in Steven Spielberg movies during the 1980s, starring as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, directed by Spielberg, and as Data in The Goonies, produced and co-written by Spielberg. After taking on several roles as a young adult in the 1990s, Quan stepped away from acting for 19 years, during which he worked as a stunt choreographer and ᴀssistant director.

In 2021, Quan made his return to acting in the family adventure film Finding ‘Ohana. However, it was A24’s Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once that completed Quan’s triumphant comeback, earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Since then, his career has seen a resurgence, starring in the Disney+ series American Born Chinese, Loki season 2, and voicing a character in Kung Fu Panda 4. Now, Quan has taken on his first leading role in an action movie, though it’s been receiving mixed reactions from critics and audiences.

Love Hurts Leaves Critics & Audiences Extremely Divided

The Movie Was Released On February 7

Love Hurts is leaving critics and audiences incredibly divided. Directed by Jonathan Eusebio in his debut, the new action-comedy stars Ke Huy Quan as a former hitman-turned-realtor who reunites with his former partner-in-crime when he realizes that his brother, a volatile crime lord, is hunting him. Love Hurts‘ cast also includes Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story), Daniel Wu, Marshawn Lynch, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, André Eriksen, and The Goonies star Sean Astin.

Now, following its theatrical release on February 7, Ke Huy Quan’s action movie is leaving critics and audiences incredibly divided. On Rotten Tomatoes, Love Hurts has an 18% score from critics coupled with a 63% audience score. The movie has 117 reviews and 250+ verified ratings at the time of writing, so those scores are subject to change over time.

What Love Hurts’ Rotten Tomatoes Scores Mean For The Movie

What Are Critics & Audiences Saying?

Critics have overwhelmingly panned Love Hurts for the lack of chemistry between its two leads, Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose, combined with its disjointed storytelling and awkward tonal shifts between exhausting action and uninspired romance. However, there are a handful who appreciate its fight choreography and lead performances. For instance, ScreenRant‘s Love Hurts review by Mae Abdulbaki says, “I couldn’t help but laugh throughout Ke Huy Quan’s enjoyably campy Valentine’s Day actioner despite major flaws… It comes alive with well-choreographed fights. It’s also dripping with comical sap. It’s silly, over-the-top, and corny.”

Audience reactions are much more positive, but still mixed, with many praising its action, humor, and entertainment value – overall comparing Love Hurts favorably to Jackie Chan movies. However, there is still some criticism for its weak plot, lack of chemistry between the leads, and inconsistent tone. This division highlights the differing expectations between critics and audiences, with the former focusing on storytelling and cohesion, while audiences are much more likely to embrace any fun action. Regardless, it’s great to see Ke Huy Quan leading an action movie.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes