Revenge (2017) Review: A Bloody, Stylish Survival Thriller

This Revenge review covers Coralie Fargeat's 2017 action thriller, a bold, bloody and very stylish debut. It is a French-language Belgian production that borrows from exploitation cinema and gives it a sharper, more modern edge. If you like your genre films loud, lean and visually daring, it is worth a look.

Note that the film's listing here is dated 2026, but the known release date for this title is 18 November 2017. The editor's source summary describes a different premise, so this review follows the verified film details only.

Revenge Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The Revenge plot starts simply. Jen (Matilda Lutz) travels to a secluded, ultra-modern desert villa for a private getaway with her wealthy married boyfriend, Richard (Kevin Janssens). The trip is meant to be romantic, and for a short while it is.

Then Richard's friends turn up early for an impromptu hunting weekend. The easy atmosphere shifts, and tension builds inside the house. Fargeat takes her time with this setup, letting small looks and awkward moments do the work before the story shifts into something much harsher.

I will stay clear of what follows. Just know that the film changes gear sharply, and how well you accept that change will shape your opinion of it.

What Works in Revenge

The style is the first thing you notice. The desert setting looks hot, dry and unforgiving, and the camerawork makes the most of wide open spaces and tight, uncomfortable close-ups. Viewers have praised the camerawork and location in particular, and it is easy to see why.

The film also has a clear point of view. It looks hard at how men in the story treat Jen, and it frames her as a person rather than a prize. Some audience members read it as a pointed comment on the male gaze, and the opening stretch sets that up deliberately.

• Visual identity: bold colour, sharp framing and a strong sense of place.

• Pacing: at 108 minutes, it moves quickly once the story gets going.

• Physical detail: Jen looks worn down by what she endures, which adds weight to the action.

If you enjoy action movie reviews, this has the grit and momentum you would want.

Revenge Cast and Performances

The Revenge cast is small, which suits the story. Matilda Lutz carries the film as Jen, and she handles a demanding role with real commitment. She starts out playful and confident, and she sells every physical and emotional change that follows.

Kevin Janssens plays Richard, the charming, self-assured boyfriend, with an easy smoothness that makes him believable and unsettling. Vincent Colombe plays Stan, and Guillaume Bouchède plays Dimitri. Jean-Louis Tribes appears as Roberto, and Barbara Gateau gives voice to Richard's wife.

One audience reviewer called the acting surprisingly good, and I agree. The men are written broadly, but the performers keep them menacing enough to matter.

Where Revenge Stumbles

The biggest complaint is believability. The central turning point in the first act stretches credibility, and some viewers will find it too far-fetched to accept. If a film like this needs to feel grounded for you, that moment could cost it your goodwill.

The violence is another dividing line. The blood is extreme, sometimes comically so, and a few viewers felt the gore went beyond what the story needed. Fans of heightened genre excess may enjoy the spectacle, while others may find it numbing.

The male characters are also drawn without much nuance. That fits the film's allegorical edge, but it leaves little room for surprise in their behaviour.

Is Revenge Worth Watching?

Yes, if you can handle intense violence and a story that favours style over realism. Audience scores are positive, with a TMDB average of 6.5 out of 10 from more than 2,200 votes, and my own rating matches that.

It is a confident first feature with a clear voice and a strong lead performance. It is not subtle, and it will not suit everyone, but it rarely bores. For fans of crime-tinged revenge stories, it is an easy recommendation, and a good companion to other crime movie reviews on this site. For a different take on a vigilante story, see our Citizen Vigilante review.

Who Will Enjoy Revenge

• Fans of stylish, violent exploitation-inspired thrillers.

• Viewers who want a strong, physical lead performance.

• Anyone curious about Coralie Fargeat's directing style and ready for a gory ride.

It is rated R, so it is not a film for younger viewers or anyone sensitive to graphic bloodshed.