Revenge seemed to cause quite a stir with audience whether it be because of its bloody violence, or causing a discourse between feminists and male moviegoers. Either way, there is quite a bit of enjoyment to be found with Revenge. This is through and through an action movie that has been flipped around and challenges the male gaze with strong female roles and wonderfully composed shots. I loved the lead role, and how strong the symbolism is, even if it is a bit on-the-nose, watching this film felt like reading a gritty comic book. The tension in this film winds like a guitar string and sends the finale off with a resounding bang.
I wish there was a bit more character development with this film. Though the shots are beautiful and the film is well acted, Revenge throws you into the mix of things without explaining too much what's going on in regards to the characters. The plot itself is simple to understand, I would have just liked to see more complex villains. Seasoned movie watchers will pick up on context clues, however I would have liked to see a bit more character development with our main villain. The plot takes a backseat to the high-stakes tension, and artfully composed shots. For those who can suspend their disbelief in regards to how people heal from serious injury, you will have a lot of fun with this movie.
There seems to be a substantial audience that are offended by this movie due it being 'feminist propaganda,' which truly baffles me. This is a classic revenge tale which we've seen hundreds of times before. I'm not sure why making a woman the lead changes anything. Give this movie a chance. For those who appreciate the art of film, you will find enjoyment.
