What Are the Best Revenge Movies? (Definition and Examples)

Revenge Movie Definition

The revenge movie, as its name suggests, centers around the theme of vengeance and how it affects characters involved.

What do we typically get in these movies?

They usually features a protagonist who has suffered a grievous wrong, such as the loss of a loved one, betrayal, or personal harm, and embarks on a relentless quest for payback against the antagonist, who is responsible.

These are complex, morally ambiguous movies that make you reach inside yourself.

Elements of the Revenge Movie Genre

There are lots of elements of the revenge genre that you'll want to play with if you're writing your own script or watching a movie.

Let's unpack them.

1. Motivated Protagonist: A successful revenge story hinges on a protagonist with a burning desire for vengeance. Their motivations and emotional journey are at the heart of the narrative.
2. Formidable Antagonist(s): The antagonist(s) are the individuals or forces responsible for the injustice, serving as formidable obstacles that the protagonist must overcome.
3. Conflict and Tension: Revenge stories thrive on conflict and tension, driving the plot forward and keeping the audience engaged.
4. Moral Ambiguity: Many revenge stories delve into the moral gray areas surrounding vengeance, posing challenging questions about justice and morality.
5. Catharsis: Revenge stories often provide catharsis for the audience, allowing them to vicariously experience the satisfaction of justice served.

Revenge Movie Genre Examples

There are so many iconic revenge movies in Hollywood, let's look at some of the best.

1. Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004):Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga follows The Bride (Uma Thurman), a former assassin seeking vengeance against her former colleagues who betrayed her. This visually striking and action-packed film explores themes of justice and retribution.
2. Oldboy (2003): Directed by Park Chan-wook, this South Korean thriller tells the harrowing story of a man mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years and his quest for answers and vengeance upon his release. The film is known for its intense storytelling and shocking twists.
3. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002): Based on Alexandre Dumas' classic novel of the same name, The Count of Monte Cristo follows Edmond Dantès (Jim Caviezel), who is wrongfully imprisoned and transforms into a relentless avenger. The story explores themes of betrayal and redemption.
4. John Wick (2014): Keanu Reeves stars as the titular character, a retired hitman seeking vengeance for the death of his beloved dog. The film is celebrated for its stylish action sequences and the world-building of an underground assassin society.
5. I Saw the Devil (2010):This South Korean thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon tells the story of a secret agent who seeks revenge on a serial killer who murdered his fiancée. The film is known for its intense cat-and-mouse game and exploration of the dark side of revenge.
6. Blue Ruin (2013): A taut and gritty revenge thriller directed by Jeremy Saulnier, this film follows a drifter who embarks on a mission to avenge his family, leading to a series of violent confrontations.
7. Mystic River (2003): Directed by Clint Eastwood, this crime drama explores themes of childhood trauma and revenge. It follows three childhood friends who are brought back together by a tragic event and the pursuit of justice.
8. Man on Fire (2004): Directed by Tony Scott, this film stars Denzel Washington as a former CIA operative who takes a job as a bodyguard for a young girl and seeks vengeance when she is kidnapped. The film is known for its intense action sequences.
9. The Brave One (2007): Jodie Foster plays a woman who becomes a vigilante after surviving a brutal attack. The film explores the psychological and moral consequences of seeking revenge.
10. Law Abiding Citizen (2009): This thriller stars Gerard Butler as a man who takes the law into his own hands after his family is brutally attacked.

How to Write a Great Revenge Movie

One of the great joys of writing is a revenge movie. You get to create a character, add a ton of drama into their lives, and find a righteous reason for them to be involved in some awesome action set pieces.

I have written a handful of these scripts and they always turn out to be specs that get producers and directors attached because I think there's something universal about them and that there's always a market for revenge. d

Let's take a look at some tips for how to write this kind of movie.

1. Define Your Protagonist:

• Create a complex, relatable protagonist who has suffered a grave injustice. This character will be the emotional core of your story.
• Establish the motivation for revenge. The audience should understand why the protagonist is driven to seek vengeance.

2. Develop Multifaceted Antagonists:

• Your antagonists should be more than just one-dimensional villains. Give them depth, believable motivations, and backstories.
• Create a strong connection between the protagonist and the antagonists, whether through personal history or circumstance.

3. Construct an Engaging Backstory:

• Build a compelling backstory that explains the source of the injustice and the events leading up to it. This will add depth to your narrative.
• Consider using flashbacks or nonlinear storytelling to reveal critical elements of the backstory.

4. Establish the Moral Ambiguity:

• Explore the moral gray areas surrounding vengeance. Show the audience that seeking revenge often comes with personal and ethical costs.
• Present dilemmas that force the protagonist and audience to question the rightness of their actions.

5. Craft High-Stakes Conflict:

• Develop a series of obstacles, challenges, and conflicts that the protagonist must overcome on their quest for revenge.
• Create tension and suspense through well-paced action sequences and plot twists.

6. Create Unforgettable Revenge Sequences:

• Focus on crafting memorable revenge scenes that are visually striking and emotionally resonant.
• Use unique tactics, clever strategies, or innovative approaches to make the revenge sequences stand out.

7. Build Emotional Resonance:

• Allow the audience to connect emotionally with the protagonist by exploring their inner turmoil, vulnerability, and growth.
• Create moments of catharsis where the audience can vicariously experience the satisfaction of justice being served.

8. Explore Deeper Themes:

• Delve into profound themes such as justice, morality, and the consequences of revenge. Use your story to raise thought-provoking questions.
• Incorporate symbolism and metaphor to add depth to your narrative.

9. Craft a Satisfying Resolution:

• Provide a resolution that ties up loose ends and provides closure for the audience.
• Consider whether the protagonist achieves their revenge or if there's a twist that challenges the expected outcome.

10. Pay Attention to Dialogue:

• Write compelling dialogue that reveals character traits, motivations, and drives the plot forward.
• Utilize memorable one-liners or quotes that resonate with the audience.

11. Edit and Refine:

• After writing your initial draft, revise and refine your screenplay to tighten the plot, improve character development, and enhance dialogue.
• Seek feedback from trusted peers or industry professionals to gain valuable insights.

12. Study Iconic Revenge Films:

• Watch and analyze iconic revenge films to understand their storytelling techniques, character development, and what makes them memorable.

13. Consider Visual and Cinematic Elements:

• Work closely with the director, cinematographer, and production team to ensure that the visual elements of your revenge film enhance the storytelling.

14. Test Your Story:

• Consider conducting script readings or focus groups to gauge audience reactions and make necessary adjustments.