Do Revenge, focuses on a conspiracy to kill off the social standing of two members of the It Crowd rather than a complex murder scheme.
The dark comedy ‘Do Revenge’ takes inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock's influence. It was influenced by Patricia Highsmith's book The Talented Mr. Ripley, which in turn was influenced by Hitchcok’s 1951 thriller Strangers on a Train.
Think of Heathers or Mean Girls when considering how well this movie fits into the pantheon of dark comedies about the ruthlessness of young girls. Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson spins a snappy 2022 update of the genre. The movie's middle section is slowed down by a few love subplots, but by the end, it has regained its energy and comes together for a satisfying conclusion.
Do Revenge follows Drea (Camila Mendes), who was once the most popular girl in school. As her popularity plummets after she struck her ex-boyfriend Max in the face after he published their sex tape. He is able to use his buddies and the rest of the school against her by alleging that a video from his phone was leaked and that she assaulted him without cause because he has more social capital than she has. When Drea meets transfer student Eleanor (Maya Hawke), her plan to grit her teeth and get through her senior year is changed.
When her crush Carissa (Ava Capri) propagated the story that Eleanor pinned her down and forcibly kissed her years before, Eleanor became an outcast in society. Eleanor is afraid of seeing Carissa again now that they are attending the same school. Eleanor and Drea bond over the wrongdoers after having an emotional time in the restroom. They come up with a plan for retaliation with a crucial proviso. Eleanor will enter Max's friend group for the ultimate retaliation, while Drea will kill Carissa as agreed upon by the two.
Do Revenge is a film that, like others in the "mean girls in high school" subgenre, concentrates on complicated social subplots and violent popular cliques. However, this isn't a knockoff or a cliché; rather, it represents a logical development of this kind of film for the year 2022. While there are some aspects of high school that never change, youth culture moves quickly.
Therefore, teen movies—especially those that adapt or pay homage to previous works—run the risk of feeling antiquated. Do Revenge escapes that curse thanks to the deft method in which Robinson and co-author Celeste Ballard update specific plot details.
The fact that Max is a handsome, straight, wealthy white boy who utilises theatrical public wokeness to conceal his true intentions makes him a villain for 2022. Also, Max is essentially untouchable since he is a wealthy young guy. This just means that Drea and Eleanor will have to devise an even more fascinatingly intricate scheme to overthrow him, which initially makes them easier to support.
When their behaviour worsens, their obsessions intensify. The brilliant thing about Hawke and Mendes' films is that they never give the audience a clear protagonist. Their alliance first seems admirable as they band together to fight those who have wronged them. After that, it becomes toxic and one-sided. Then it changes completely into something different.
It's a terrifying roller coaster that's been styled in delicate, influencer-worthy colours. Strong visual motifs that played with the standards of idealised adolescence in their own times were a big part of why films like Mean Girls and Heathers became so popular. Do Revenge carries on the pattern by upgrading the movie's appearance for viewers who are well-versed in finely balanced aesthetics that neatly fit under social media hashtags, such as "Instagram witch" or "#glamgirl."
The movie is snappy and compact whether it concentrates on the vengeance schemes or Eleanor and Drea's deteriorating relationship. Although halfway through, a few love-related subplots start to take the lead. While Eleanor makes out with Max's sister Gabbi, Drea develops a relationship with Carissa's rebellious artist buddy Russ. Even though some of those scenes are cute, neither of these partnerships significantly alter Eleanor or Drea's personalities in a good or bad way. They appear to be driven only by the belief that teen movies must include mandatory romances. They ultimately slow down and prolong the film.
At the very end, the focus returns on Eleanor and Drea, and it's for the better. They eventually come back together after taking a series of unexpected turns. They play off each other in deliciously unsettling ways. The movie occasionally appears to be turning into a sermon about the perils of retaliation, especially when Drea's college plans are threatened.
Robinson and Ballard, however, deftly avoid those pitfalls. Demonstrating their understanding of what the target audience for these films really desires: the thrill of witnessing ruthless adolescent girls go to great lengths to achieve their goals. While navigating the complex relationships they develop with one another.
Without giving too much away, Eleanor and Drea succeed in getting what they want and deserve. It's a gratifying ending that neither condemns nor praises them. Don't pay attention to the corny epilogues where they court their potential lovers. As this film is about revenge not love.
Performance | 4/5 |
Enjoyment | 3.8/5 |
Overall Rating | 3.8/5 |