Revenge: Brutal Thriller by ‘The Substance’ Director Now Streaming Free

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This article includes descriptions and discussions about topics such as sexual assault and rape which might be upsetting for some readers. Proceed with caution if you feel sensitive towards these subjects.

Revenge stories set in films remain a powerful and emotionally satisfying experience for viewers, as they always have been. Delving deeper into the philosophical aspects later, witnessing a character who’s suffered an injustice exact their vengeance on despicable villains offers a primal, instinctual appeal. This underestimated 2017 thriller – available to stream now for free – is certain to deliver one of the most intense and gripping experiences you’ll encounter within this genre.

In her first directorial venture, Coralie Fargeat presents the film titled “” – a story that echoes the vengeful path of the controversial 1978 release “I Spit on Your Grave.” The narrative unfolds as a young woman, brutally raped and left for dead in the desert, discovers her inner resilience to exact revenge upon her attackers. The stellar cast includes Matilda Lutz, Kevin Janssens, Vincent Colombe, and Guillaume Bouchède. Stream it for free on and delve into the official synopsis provided below.

Jen is having a peaceful romantic retreat with her affluent partner, but their tranquility is disrupted when his two unsavory acquaintances unexpectedly show up for a hunting excursion. The atmosphere in the house becomes increasingly tense, and suddenly and violently, things reach a climax that leaves Jen near death. Miraculously, she manages to pull through, and from that moment on, she embarks on a relentless mission for vengeance, marked by bloody retribution.

‘Revenge’ Was Praised for Putting a Feminist Spin on the Thriller Subgenre

Contrasting with the infamous film I Spit on Your Grave, which was widely panned by renowned critics like Rogert Ebert and Gene Siskel, the revenge thriller Revenge received overwhelming acclaim. With a critically impressive rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was lauded for its clever subversion of genre conventions and delivering a timely, yet always exhilarating, feminist perspective within an exploitation context.

Revenge” is one movie in a group of films that make up the contentious “rape and revenge” thriller subgenre, which often follows a three-part storyline consisting of rape, retaliation, and vengeance. Movies like “I Spit on Your Grave,” “Death Wish,” “The Crow,” “13 Assassins,” “Hard Candy,” “Irréversible,” “Memento,” “Wild Things,” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” saga can also be categorized within this subgenre.

Initially, Coralie Fargeat, a newcomer in the world of writing and directing who recently achieved significant success, critical acclaim, and Oscar recognition with her film titled “The Substance“, clarified that she didn’t intentionally create a movie about rape and revenge. Moreover, she had never watched “I Spit on Your Grave” prior to making her own work.

In an effort to change the narrative from horror, I envisioned a different path for this story. Instead of having Jen endure endless screams and pain as she fights for survival, I preferred to see her journeying towards a more empowered and tough-as-nails persona.

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2025-05-03 16:02