‘Mayhem!’ (2024) Review – Splatterfest Revenge Tale Offers Great Action But A Weak Narrative

We are early into the new year, and the gods of cinema are not being very kind. Director Xavier Gens has had a very interesting career. In 2007 he rode the wave that was the ‘New French Extremity’ with his debut Frontier(s). This was a short-lived horror sub-genre that reflected the tense political climate of the time. This was received so well that, despite only having one feature film under his belt, he was given a big-budget Hollywood action film. 2007’s Hitman, based on the video game of the same name, was a money maker but was panned by critics and quickly forgotten about. After this, he languished in poorly received features and a notable short in ABC’s of Death.

His latest film, Mayhem!, sees a local prisoner named Sam (Nassim Lyes) being released and finding himself in hot water. He flees to Thailand, and he seemingly starts his life over again with a wife and daughter. Yet, his past demons come back to haunt him when a local gangster and his men pay him and his family a visit. His wife is killed, and he is left for dead. This sets him on a path of revenge in this blood-soaked but underdeveloped outing.

Mayhem! has the makings of being an interesting revenge film. Sadly, many factors hold this movie back from being remotely compelling or enjoyable. As the movie clips along, it feels like the audience is just marking their action-movie bingo cards, in what amounts to a predictable outing. Gens wants to capture the same intoxicating highs and energy of the John Wick films. Unlike the John Wick films, this lacks carefully crafted set-pieces, amazing worldbuilding, and a lead actor with charisma to spare. We know very little about Sam, his past, or even who he is as a person. Even important details like his dealings with the underworld are very vague. What we get is a blank canvas of a character that is equally portrayed by Lyes, who is blank and lifeless outside of his rampage.

Hell, even when he starts over with a brand-new family, we know virtually nothing about them. His wife is fridged so quickly that you barely recall she was even a factor in the film. Speaking of, if you’re looking for any strong female character, this movie has none. Therefore, it’s impossible to root for, or even empathize with Sam or his situation. It is staggering how little depth is given to any one character. This movie is more of a vehicle for splatter, mayhem, and non-stop action. This would not have been a bad thing had the movie not saddled itself with a painfully predictable narrative and nothing to add to the action genre. The Siege was an action film from last year that, despite having a very formulaic plot, was wildly entertaining. This is because, under its VOD-style standup, it has enough quirky flare and energy to set itself apart from the pack.

Credit where credit is due, this movie’s action scenes are top-tier. Gens is right at home within the genre, and the movie thrives the most when it’s just pure gore-soaked, well, mayhem. The fights are well done, with stunt work reviving Hollywood action films with triple the budget. Happily, the blood and gore are mainly practically done, and it is truly a wonderful and gruesome sight to behold. One noteworthy scene features a headshot that would even make the great Tom Savini get all hot and bothered. The film also has some truly stellar cinematography that lends itself to some nicely atmospheric moments.

Mayhem! certainly lives up to its name. There is indeed a mountain of blood, gore, and grizzle to keep any splatter fan happy. However, to get to it, you need to wade through a lot of boring and predictable plotting.

Mayhem! is currently playing in select theaters and is available On Demand courtesy of IFC Films. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmcqVmRPgvk]