Revenge

I'll start this review by saying that rape/revenge films are not for everyone, and I'm personally pretty squeamish about rape scenes. Often times they come across as exploitative, even if the following revenge sequences are generally cathartic. Frequently, when watching films of this subgenre, I find myself having to fast forward through the sexual assault.

Revenge, however, manages to sidestep a lot these problems by virtue of being written and directed by a woman, Coralie Fargeat. For instance, the film specifically side steps the exploitative nature of the rape scene by not making it explicit. Is it uncomfortable to watch? Hell yes. Is it exploitative? No. Because unlike many other films of its ilk, the rape isn't made to titillate; it isn't shot for the male gaze.

Does this at all cheapen the revenge aspect? Hell no. Revenge shows viewers that an explicit rape scene is not needed for the revenge to be satisfying.

Special credit has to go to French actress, Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, who is perfect as our resilient heroine, Jen. Ultimately, both Fargeat and Lutz are names to watch out for, and I eagerly anticipate what they'll do next. Meanwhile, their movie proves that a purely feminist rape revenge movie is not only possible, but preferable, as Revenge far exceeds any other film I've seen in its subgenre.