11 revenge films that will leave a lasting impression

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Reasoning about highly controversial actions from Scorsese, Tarantino and other top-notch directors.

11. Retribution

• Australia, UK, 2013.
• Drama, melodrama, military, biography.
• Duration: 116 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

During World War II, Eric Lomax was taken prisoner and survived all kinds of horrors. However, he managed to survive and after years to be released. After some time, the hero accidentally learns that one of the tormentors, from whom he suffered in captivity, is alive and well. Deeply traumatized, Eric is eager to take revenge on his abuser.

Eric Lomax, the main character in the film, existed in reality. He wrote an autobiography, which formed the basis of the events of the picture. The role of Eric was played by Colin Firth, who coped with his task brilliantly. Nicole Kidman became his filming partner: she played Patty, the wife of the protagonist.

10. Cape of Fear

• USA, 1991.
• Thriller, crime.
• Duration: 128 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Max Cady is an unbalanced man who just got out of prison. Convicted of rape, he spent 14 years behind bars. All this time he studied law, quoted the Bible and improved his body. And now he is ready to take revenge on his lawyer Sam Bowden, who did not "push" the case and did not achieve the release of the ward. Max begins to bully not only Sam, but also his family.

In fact, Cape Fear is a remake of the 1962 film of the same name, and Steven Spielberg originally wanted to re-shoot it. However, in the end, Martin Scorsese sat in the director's chair. And for a long time after its release, the tape was the most commercially successful picture of the master.

By the way, the film was another collaboration between Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro. Prior to this, the creative tandem had already collaborated in the production of films "Raging Bull", "Taxi Driver" and others.

9. Law-abiding citizen

• USA, 2009.
• Action, thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 108 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Clyde Shelton lost his wife and daughter: two robbers broke into the house and dealt with his loved ones. Since all the evidence against criminals is circumstantial, the assistant prosecutor invites one to testify against the other. In return, this witness will receive a short sentence. Clyde Shelton strongly disagrees with this decision. And over time, he will take revenge on everyone who caused so much harm to him and his family.

The main role in the film is played by Gerard Butler, and his opponent, the assistant attorney, is played by Jamie Foxx. It is noteworthy that at the stage of distribution of roles, everything was quite the opposite. However, Butler wanted to play the controversial Clyde Shelton, and Fox ceded the character to a colleague.

The film received a very cool reception from critics around the world. However, this did not prevent viewers from falling in love with him: this is evidenced by the rather high ratings of the tape in various rating systems.

8. Voroshilov shooter

• Russia, 1999.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

An exemplary girl Katya lives with her grandfather and studies at a music school. One day, three young people trick the heroine into their gatherings and rape her. The police cannot defend the girl's outraged honor, since one of the rapists is the colonel's son. Then Katya's grandfather, a veteran of the Great Patriotic War, decides to use his unique skills as a shooter to commit lynching.

This heavy drama was directed by Stanislav Govorukhin, a famous Russian director. Since Strelka raises a very controversial topic, the film received polarizing assessments. Some saw in the film criticism of human rights bodies and admired the director's courage, others persecuted him for romanticizing the image of a criminal.

The role of the desperate grandfather was stunningly played by Mikhail Ulyanov.

7. Anger

• USA, UK, Mexico, Switzerland, 2004.
• Action, thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 146 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

John Creasy is a former CIA officer. He drinks a lot and is in deep crisis. John reluctantly gets a job as a bodyguard for the Ramos family. His job is to take care of the safety of their nine-year-old daughter Lupita. Communication with an intelligent girl has a beneficial effect on John, and gradually he comes out of a depression. But soon Lupita is kidnapped by intruders. And now John is ready to declare war on everyone who is somehow involved in this terrible event.

This action movie, of course, complies with all the laws of the genre. There are explosions, blood, and cruelty here. But against the background of this hopeless gloom, the story of the friendship between the bodyguard and his ward plays with new colors. Moreover, these roles were played by strong actors - little Dakota Fanning, who had already become a star, and Denzel Washington.

6. Count of Monte Cristo

• Great Britain, USA, Ireland, Switzerland, 2002.
• Action, thriller, drama, adventure.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

Edmond Dantes is a sailor. Due to the illness of the captain of the ship on which he is, the crew is forced to ask for medical help from the inhabitants of the island of Elba. It is there that the guards keep Napoleon Bonaparte. The former emperor, as payment for helping the patient, asks Edmond to hand over the letter to his friend.

A little later, the hero is appointed captain, and then he begins to prepare for the wedding. However, an envious friend Fernand denounces the lucky man, and he is sent to prison for 13 years. One day Edmond will get out and take revenge on those who ruined his life.

The plot of the film is based on the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. The picture was shot by Kevin Reynolds, widely known for his previous works "Water World" and "Robin Hood". In this drama, the director also managed to show an interesting story, in the course of which human nature is skillfully dissected.

5. Survivor

• USA, Hong Kong, Taiwan, 2015.
• Adventure, Western, Action, Drama, Biography.
• Duration: 156 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

Hugh Glass is a hunter who accompanies a squad of conquerors of the Wild West. Suddenly the man is attacked by a bear. The hero survives a fierce battle, but is seriously injured. Some of the forwarders stay with Hugh to await his death and bury him. But the leader of the group, John, persuades his comrades to leave the wounded to die alone, and kills the son of Hugh, who rebelled against this decision. Miraculously, the main character survives. And he intends to travel an incredibly long way, only to take revenge on the traitor.

The film was directed by Alejandro G. Iñarritu, who had previously conquered cinema with Birdman. Being an admirer of Tarkovsky, the director "sewed" into the film many dedications to the great master and references to his works.

The "Survivor" was truly appreciated by the world film community. The film has been nominated for prestigious awards such as Oscar, BAFTA, Critics' Choice and others - in various categories more than 30 times. And the picture is also significant in that it brought Leonardo DiCaprio victory as the performer of the best male role. Everyone was waiting for this event for a long time, and as a result of the award, the Internet was flooded with memes about the actor.

4. Kill Bill

• USA, Japan, 2003.
• Action, thriller, crime.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The main character, nicknamed the Bride, is a member of the elite squad of assassins "Deadly Viper". The girl decides to leave him and start a new life. She changes her name and prepares to get married. However, the past rushes into her life like a whirlwind: old colleagues upset the wedding and kill the groom. The Bride herself is injured and plunges into a coma. After 4 years, the girl wakes up - and begins to take revenge.

The cult film was directed by Quentin Tarantino. The main role is played by Uma Thurman - the director's muse, who had previously appeared in his famous film "Pulp Fiction". In order for the actress to take part in the work, Tarantino even moved the shooting by a year: Uma Thurman was in a position.

Kill Bill soon became a cult hit. The picture not only contains a large number of Easter eggs and references to other well-known films, but it is itself disassembled into movie quotes in popular culture.

3. Remember

• USA, 2000.
• Thriller, detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 113 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

Leonard Shelby suffers from short-term memory loss due to an injury sustained during the murder of his wife. He remembers his life before the incident, but what happens next cannot be fixed in his mind. Polaroid snapshots and tattoo memos, which he stuffs on his body, help him somehow control events. In the flow of new information, Leonard is trying very hard not to forget that his main business is revenge for the death of his wife.

This heavy psychological thriller was the debut work of director Christopher Nolan. A feature of the picture is a non-linear narrative: at the very beginning we see the finale of Leonard's story, and at the end of the film we see the beginning of the hero's path. In this way, Nolan allows us to identify with a character who has no idea what happened a few minutes ago.

The film is not just an original action-packed story. In the finale of "Remember", the viewer understands that the tape watched is nothing more than a philosophical reflection on the power of vengeful feelings.

2. Oldboy

• South Korea, 2003.
• Thriller, detective, drama, action, crime.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

O Te-Su is kidnapped and imprisoned in solitary confinement without explanation. After 15 years, he was just as suddenly released. O Te-Su passionately wants to understand the reasons for his imprisonment and take revenge on the offender. Soon the man discovers that his story is tangled and complex.

The film was directed by South Korean director Park Chang Wook, based on the psychological thriller manga of the same name. "Oldboy" has become truly stellar: the tape was included in the list of Empire magazine "100 best films of the world cinema" and won the Grand Prix of the Cannes Film Festival. In 2013, a Hollywood remake of the same name was released, which could not compare with the original - "an absolute masterpiece", according to Quentin Tarantino.

1. Gladiator

• USA, UK, Malta, Morocco, 2000.
• Action, history, drama, adventure.
• Duration: 155 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

The dying emperor Marcus Aurelius plans to name the brave General Maximus as his successor. However, the power-hungry heir Commodus learns of this plan. He kills his father and plans to execute the general in order to take the throne himself.

Maximus avoids reprisals, but he is sold into slavery. Now he must participate in gladiatorial battles. Soon, thanks to the courage and ability to fight, the hero wins the recognition of the public. Will he be able to avenge the death of the emperor and his desecrated honor?

The picture was shot by Ridley Scott, and this work became one of the most important in his work. The film was highly appreciated by critics and audiences. “Gladiator” was named the best film by such prestigious awards as “Oscar”, “Golden Globe”, BAFTA and others. In the rating of the best films according to the IMDb website, the picture occupies 41st line.