Vingança

This became instantly one of my all time favorites. I've seen over 2k movies. I would use that film to teach tension at film school. Modern masterpiece. This was so unsettling from the very beginning. I wanted it to be over and to never end at the same time. Loved it. Must watch. If you can't see blood, this one is not for you. It felt like Mad Max, Home alone and Die hard had a threesome.

Having just seen the Substance, I went back to watch this earlier work. She has a very distinct style with so much gore and blood, you have to suspend reason and what you know about anatomy. The advantage is that scenes can go on like a carnival ride despite feeling sick. And, yet, her stories work. There's a kind of professionalism from those in front of and behind the camera that has a magnetic effect on the viewer. Holding your attention is something that conventional film often lose with incoherent action scenes and dialog that's chock full of cliches. What i have to say is I think she's getting better. As for this earlier work, the title says it all, but it's a good ride.

Essentially, "Revenge" is nothing more than "I Spit On Your Grave IV." A bunch of bad guys get their comeuppance from a young lady seeking revenge. This film, though, had more blood in it than a Midwest slaughter house at Chrismastime. Boy, was it gory.

And unbelievable. There are some things you'll see that just wouldn't pan out in real life, but this is the movies, right? Where the unbelievable happens? Like the SONY logo says: Make. Believe.

I believe I saw the unrated version. If it wasn't then I guess the R rated one left all the nasty bits intact, which is surprising because censor boards have been known to blacklist films with this much violence. If you're a fan of L'Intereur, I Spit On Your Grave, Ichi The Killer, Martyrs, Irreversible, etc., you won't be disappointed.

What distinguishes Coralie Fargeat from her contemporaries in the realm of emerging directors is her unique film-making style.

Despite having directed only two feature films in her career, her directorial characteristics can be easily discerned through a careful examination of her work thus far.

These are my personal observations...

1. Fargeat exhibits a remarkable comfort and affection for incorporating nudity into her films, skillfully presenting the human body, both male and female in a sensual manner that avoids being vulgar or obscene.

2. This same effortless quality is evident in her portrayal of blood and gore, which is both unhinged and stomach churning. Lot of credit is also due to the makeup and prosthetics team, who play a crucial role in helping Fargeat attain her artistic vision.

3. Another notable aspect of her work is her editing style. Fargeat prefers to edit her films herself, employing a distinctive technique that effectively merges sequential frames in a order that brings urgency, thereby creating tension and suspense in an effortless way.

4. Her specific knack for foreshadowing and prognostication is noteworthy. As she prefers to write her own screenplays too, she adeptly weaves these elements into her narratives, which I find particularly admirable.

5. And last but not the least, Fargeat consistently emphasizes themes of Woman empowerment, regardless of the narrative or genre she is delving into, which is commendable, though I digress.

Returning to "Revenge," the movie delivers precisely what its title may already suggest: a revenge narrative characterized by a well-executed build-up and a decent enough payoff, albeit accompanied by some logical inconsistencies and over-reliance on known tropes.

This is a movie that would keep you on edge from the first scene. The aspect that I enjoyed the most was the quality of cinematography and the beauty of visuals. Every scene appeared to have been wonderfully planned with eye catching colors and camera angles. Whole movie seemed like a one long TV commercial. Although there were a few moments where you have to suspend your disbelief, this could be highly recommended as an extremely well-done thriller.