Focus Features | Release Date: July 29, 2022
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 55 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
34
Mixed:
14
Negative:
7
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9
SerengetiAug 18, 2022
This is an excellent movie. I had heard nothing about it and checked metacritic and saw the great fan reviews it was getting. Decided to go check it out. Went with a friend who also knew nothing about it, and we both loved it. Ben, aThis is an excellent movie. I had heard nothing about it and checked metacritic and saw the great fan reviews it was getting. Decided to go check it out. Went with a friend who also knew nothing about it, and we both loved it. Ben, a podcaster/writer in NY, has had a brief fling with a young woman who goes back home to TX, where she dies from an overdose. Ben gets a call from Abbie’s brother telling her she has died and assuming he is coming to her funeral. Ben goes and meets her family, who are under the impression that Ben is the love of her life. Her brother thinks she was murdered, and Ben can’t resist the call of a good story. He pursues people and leads trying to find out what really happened to Abilene. The family is fun to watch as they aren’t the typical movie dysfunctional family. They are sweet and loving to each other and treat Ben like a family member. This movie is entertaining, engrossing and funny. Highly recommend it! Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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2
ReviewUsernameAug 6, 2022
This movie had funny moments and a positive message. However, the writing was so pretentious that I was ready to leave halfway through.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
MarkHReviewsAug 5, 2022
BJ Novak is best known for his role as Ryan Howard, a character in the US version of “The Office.” After “Vengeance,” he may well become better known as a writer and director.

Novak also stars in this film as Ben Manalowitz, a writer and
BJ Novak is best known for his role as Ryan Howard, a character in the US version of “The Office.” After “Vengeance,” he may well become better known as a writer and director.

Novak also stars in this film as Ben Manalowitz, a writer and podcaster in New York City. Following a series of opening scenes that establish his self-regard, Ben receives a call that Abilene, a casual hookup, has died. Her family is under the misperception that Ben is the love of her life. Ben attends her funeral in West Texas and decides to explore the story behind her death while also crafting a podcast based on the characters (and they really are characters) he meets along the way. Ben also deludes himself into thinking this is a chance to offer his own profound pronouncements about the general state of America.

Clearly, Novak’s script has a lot of balls in the air. He serves up a murder mystery. He explores the quirks and kindness of Abilene’s family, a clan that turns out to be utterly appealing. It makes a few observations about the wider world. The script does all this with a lot of heart and several plot twists and jokes at Ben’s expense.

Most of all, Novak skewers the condescension regularly aimed at the Red States, while demonstrating that Texas does offer plenty of quirky comic material. FYI, Abilene’s sisters are named Paris and Kansas City. “Unique” names, by the way, are a rich tradition in the Lone Star State. In the late 1800’s, James Stephen Hogg (later to become governor) named his only daughter Ima. The story, widely reported, that Ima had a sister named Ura is apocryphal.

“Vengeance” benefits from a stellar supporting cast that includes Issa Rae (“Insecure”) as Ben’s podcast boss, Boyd Holbrook (“Narcos”) as Abilene’s grieving brother, J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”) as Abilene’s mother and a strong performance by Ashton Kutcher as the owner of a small town recording studio who seems to be equal parts kind, self-aware and predatory.

Not everything works here. The murder “mystery” is ultimately pretty mundane. But the dialogue crackles and there are several laugh-out-loud moments. A sampling: “This is El Stupido. It’s okay, Ben. He doesn’t speak Spanish.” “’Y’all’ is a cultural appropriation.” “In my life, everything starts with a regret… It’s all regrets. Make ‘em count.” It’s all buoyed by a pervasive tone of appreciation for others and self-deprecation that redeem the movie’s venial sins.

In a world that’s overstocked with condescension and people who see life as a series of chances to puff up their self-worth on social media, this film is a compelling antidote. In this case, “Vengeance” is just, merciful and very, very funny.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
MetacriticOnurAug 16, 2022
bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.
bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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8
royalguy07Jul 29, 2022
Funny, expertly paced, and entertaining. Holbrook and Kutcher were real standouts.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
Compi24Aug 9, 2022
Was riding a lot higher on what this movie was selling up until the last few minutes. "Vengeance" finds writer/director B.J. Novak delivering quite the provocative debut, putting names to the faces of several generation-defining issuesWas riding a lot higher on what this movie was selling up until the last few minutes. "Vengeance" finds writer/director B.J. Novak delivering quite the provocative debut, putting names to the faces of several generation-defining issues plaguing the current American sociological landscape. I also really dug what this movie was tapping into in terms of its commentary on true crime fascination and podcast culture. Really, where everything fell apart for me was during the ending. Things just didn't line up in a narrative, thematic, or character-focused way. My wife and I found ourselves going over other possible endings on the ride home, which is a real shame because I feel this started from such a promising place. That said, I still think there's some very strong talent on display here and I can't say the entire experience was soured. That ending though, man. Really leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
GinaKAug 1, 2022
A very American story, by which I mean it didn’t have enough “universal” elements to make it more than a very interesting film. The acting was excellent as was the direction.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Voodoo123Oct 14, 2022
This slow paced dramedy flutters between comedic / parody / drama tones. The cast is excellent and the screenplay is stimulating. The bland cinematography, music and editing fail to excite me beyond feeling anything other than average levelsThis slow paced dramedy flutters between comedic / parody / drama tones. The cast is excellent and the screenplay is stimulating. The bland cinematography, music and editing fail to excite me beyond feeling anything other than average levels of enjoyment. Still it was entertaining to watch. Expand
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6
RalfbergsNov 17, 2022
It was ok for movie. Was not bad, but some parts of it was not for my taste, even though I liked the type of humor of it, but something lacked there to make it extra entertaining.
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5
JLuis_001Jan 2, 2023
In what can be determined as elements that adequately serve the satire, I must admit that Vengeance has more than one that did its job, but as for its overall performance, Vengeance clearly wanted to break expectations, but it's surprisingIn what can be determined as elements that adequately serve the satire, I must admit that Vengeance has more than one that did its job, but as for its overall performance, Vengeance clearly wanted to break expectations, but it's surprising that B. J. Novak in his directorial debut gives the lead role to himself and settles for delivering an impressively listless performance in a plot that only seems to be half-heartedly trying to build something, but is never properly completed.

Perhaps what wasn't adequately developed here will serve as a lesson for Novak to learn to focus himself better and maybe on his sophomore attempt, he'll deliver something worthy of a greater amount of attention, because this is not it.
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2
januarysixteenFeb 5, 2023
Bottomline: Imagine a coastal elite fantasy. You're a NPR-style liberal writer. And John Mayer is your best friend. And you guys have one-night stands. And one of those one-night stands is obsessed with you. But she meant nothing to you. AndBottomline: Imagine a coastal elite fantasy. You're a NPR-style liberal writer. And John Mayer is your best friend. And you guys have one-night stands. And one of those one-night stands is obsessed with you. But she meant nothing to you. And you find out she dies. And the family begs you to go to the funeral. And you must solve the murder because the hick-town locals are stupid. Like Pauly Shore movie stupid. And they need your detached, elite, above-it-all intelligence to help. And you monetize your hick tourism to make yourself famous with a podcast. And you get your elitist chance to rant at them about Covid. Fittingly, imagine Ryan from the office had a podcast about the futility of America and solving a murder and his own self-importance. That's this movie. Expand
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6
geewahJan 3, 2023
The social commentary holds up well in this movie, as the murder mystery and character development are quite under-developed. Could of been so much better.
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5
davemelbourne58Aug 8, 2022
Interesting first movie. It had it's moments, but of course the stereotypes of Texans was way too broad. It's defintely a movie that's a reflection of our society, though. Some solid smart laughs for sure. The movie goes off the railsInteresting first movie. It had it's moments, but of course the stereotypes of Texans was way too broad. It's defintely a movie that's a reflection of our society, though. Some solid smart laughs for sure. The movie goes off the rails during the last reel. Not bad for BJ Novaks first movie Expand
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6
DeviltherobotAug 13, 2022
Interesting commentary on podcasts and culture in general, but the pacing could be improved.
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6
DunkaccinoNov 25, 2022
A movie that features naturally charming people saying borderline funny things in long, awkward conversation scenes.
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7
FootballJonesSep 4, 2022
Surprisingly solid movie with a great twist. It overerformed. Another Blumhouse winner!
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7
alanpotter17Sep 11, 2023
"Vingança" acompanha o jornalista Manalowitz, posto numa situação inusitada: é chamado pela família de uma moça morta para comparecer ao velório dela, pois a família achava que tinham um relacionamento sério, quando na verdade ela não passava"Vingança" acompanha o jornalista Manalowitz, posto numa situação inusitada: é chamado pela família de uma moça morta para comparecer ao velório dela, pois a família achava que tinham um relacionamento sério, quando na verdade ela não passava de uma ficante. É claro que a história vai se encarregar de mostrar que há muito por trás, como rede de tráfico de drogas e coinfluência das autoridades, até mesmo perante a postura negligente ao caso.
No entanto, o filme destaca-se mesmo pela narração em off, pelo seu sentido diático e pedagógico que tenta mostrar passar, ao fazer do personagem uma espécie de Dom Quixote dos relacionamentos líquidos de Bauman. Desde a abertura somos presenteados com um rapaz insatisfeito nos relacionamentos, buscando claro a liquidez a que nossa geração pode abraçar. Com um amigo, ambos discutem de forma mais direta e superficial o como tronaram-se homens com dificuldade em estabelecer algo sério. Não que essa postura seja moralmente condenável, mas da forma como fizeram a crítica, parece que estamos diante de dois adolescentes, o que não é bem assim, o filme é feito para um público mais adulto mesmo.
Ainda assim, nada que prejudique a diversão. Inclusive, Ashton Kutcher recebe especial atenção aqui dos roteiristas e da caracterização de seu personagem, muito bem explorada, mantendo o ar de mistério e uma falas menos canhestra, numa atuação até digna.
Embora seja um filme de jornada e de mistérios, talvez o que faltou foi criar reais situações de perigo ao personagem, que passeia pela cidade sem ser necessariamente ameaçado. Ao menos a opção de tentar ser um filme que explora a nossa conduta desprendida das relações mais firmes, inclusive com o incentivo de redes sociais e da mídia, torna o filme adequado ao proposto, então não faz falta assim o filme não descambar para a ação ou para cenas com mais "testosterona" (sabe-se lá o que isso ainda signifique).
O título faz jus ao final que, por mais que não reinvente a roda, ficou extremamente casado a tudo o que foi mostrado, o que passa certa credibilidade ao material como um todo.
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9
4whirledpeasOct 29, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the kind of movie that has you thinking about it for a long time. The pieces fit together perfectly, although not initially obvious. Realizing the "Noah Cross" qualities of Aston Kusher's character - and Novak's deepening grasp of the realities of life is key. Expand
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6
zzzeroJun 5, 2023
Act 1 is kinda slow but ok. 2nd Act gets interesting. Climax was a bit abrupt. Like the ending of Se7en but rushed. Nice indie vibe though.
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