Vengeance

Focus Features | Release Date: July 29, 2022

6.4	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 55 Ratings

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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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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 andBJ 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.… Expand

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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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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