As a seasoned cinephile with a keen eye for subversive storytelling and a heart full of empathy for female characters, I must say that “Revenge” is a film that left an indelible mark on me. Having spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, both classic and contemporary, I can confidently assert that this French gem stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the greats in its genre.
Coralie Fargeat’s 2024 film titled “The Substance” has been one of the most buzzed-about horror films this year, with critics praising its bold style, graphic depictions of body horror, and fearless performances from Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. Though this is her foray into English-language cinema and working with Hollywood stars and larger budgets, her debut French-language feature film shares many of the distinctive elements that made “The Substance” noteworthy.
The movie in question is “Revenge” from 2017, a film that masterfully redefines and empowers the rape-revenge horror subgenre with its graphic yet thoughtful portrayal. Director Coralie Fargeat not only embraces the genre’s violent elements but also transforms them through her unique, exaggerated aesthetic. Unlike “The Substance,” which explores horror stemming from unattainable beauty standards for women, “Revenge” offers a powerful female protagonist battling against the oppressive systems of wealth and authority that seek to suppress her voice. Those captivated by “The Substance” should definitely give Fargeat’s debut a watch.
The Plot of ‘Revenge’
The movie opens with a helicopter trip, where Jen (Matilda Lutz) travels alongside her wealthy partner Richard (Kevin Janssens) to his secluded desert retreat for some leisure time. Not long after, Richard’s companions Stan (Vincent Colombe) and Dimitri (Guillaume Bouchède) arrive early for their yearly hunting excursion. After an evening filled with drinking and drug use, Jen dances briefly with Stan before retiring to bed.
In this scenario, when Richard discovers Stan’s actions, he tries to hush Jen up by offering her money, but she flees into the desert with three other men chasing after. They corner her near a cliff, and in a deceitful move, Richard feigns peace before shoving her over the edge, where she gets impaled on a twisted tree branch. Remarkably, instead of succumbing to her wounds, Jen miraculously lives through it all, and embarks on a vengeful rampage to exact retribution against the men who harmed her and abandoned her for dead.
In the world of cinema, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as witnessing Jen’s transformation from a struggling survivor to an iconic action heroine. She doesn’t miraculously leap into badassery without a scratch; instead, she learns, grows, and stumbles along the way, even facing near-death experiences early on.
How ‘Revenge’ Subverts Expectations
In a nutshell, the storyline of “Revenge” might seem quite straightforward, but its unique style and boldness manage to take it to higher grounds. Notably, this film is known for its graphic violence that surpasses similar movies, especially during the climax, which can be aptly referred to as a bloodbath. Unlike other popular revenge thrillers like “I Spit On Your Grave” or “The Last House on the Left,” it caters to the audience’s thirst for retribution without resorting to exploitative themes. Although the physical brutality is vividly portrayed, the depiction of sexual violence is kept minimal, which sets it apart from many infamous rape-revenge films.
Due to the unequal power dynamics in Jen’s and Richard’s relationship, with him being an influential man and her being a young woman in a secluded area, Richard can easily discard Jen as inconsequential when she becomes a threat to his standing. Her lack of autonomy and his awareness of this make her an easy target for Richard to manipulate, allowing him to conceal any questionable activities of his own.
Fargeat challenges traditional norms by playfully manipulating the common male perspective found in exploitation movies and horror genres. Although the camera occasionally focuses on Jen’s body, it serves more often to highlight the intrusive and lewd gazes of men surrounding her instead of catering to the audience’s viewing pleasure. Intriguingly, the film features full-frontal nudity, but it is Richard who is the subject, notably during key scenes such as the climax where he pursues Jen throughout the house, becoming progressively more injured and bare.
Referencing the Rape-Revenge Genre Wasn’t Intentional
Interestingly, although ‘Revenge’ is often categorized as a subversive film in the rape-revenge genre, its director, Fargeat, has clarified that it wasn’t her aim to depict such narratives. In an interview with MovieMaker, Fargeat explained that while she was aware of these types of films, she had never watched ‘I Spit On Your Grave’, a widely recognized rape-revenge film.
In these films such as “Kill Bill,” “Mad Max,” and “Rambo,” an act of violence serves to reveal the character’s true essence, yet it doesn’t dwell on the violent act itself. It’s challenging not to view “Revenge” as a purposeful subversion of a genre that is often criticized for its misogynistic tendencies.
Through its release, The Substance has rightly established Fargeat as an innovative filmmaker with longevity in the U.S. However, her debut film may not be grand in scale, but it’s equally impactful and worthwhile to watch. You can stream it on Mubi or Shudder.
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2024-11-17 05:39