When Revenge Becomes Art: 7 Most Beautifully Broken Payback Stories in Film

I’ve been told many times that I seem like someone who takes revenge very seriously.

Honestly, I’m not sure why people think that is. Is it because I brainstorm a lot, trying to find and then close any loopholes in the revenge plans in iconic revenge movies? Or daydream a lot about how I’d spend my day if there ever were a Purge day?

It’s probably the cold stare that I give when I’m ticked off.

In any case, two things are quite clear—first, I’m a work-in-progress when it comes to having a healthy coping mechanism. Second, I have a long list of vengeful mentors whose gusto and poetic modus operandi I look up to.

Knowing you’re here for the latter, let’s dive right in.

In this article, we’re looking at characters who made revenge look poetic.

7 Fictional Figures Who Made Revenge a Work of Art

1. Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption Source: Warner Bros., Columbia Pictures

Although Andy is widely celebrated for the meticulous prison break that he planned for over 19 years, I applaud him for what he did to that jerk of a warden and his prison-guard sidekicks.

Initially, Andy was genuinely symbiotic with Warden Norton, performing his dirty work in exchange for basic human empathy within the prison. But soon the latter turned into an absolute parasite, abusing his power.

Andy’s revenge isn’t just cold—it’s ice-cold and aged like a fine wine!

2. The Bride in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)

Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003)Source: Miramax

Quentin Tarantino’s The Bride is one of the most iconic assassins that you will come across. As iconic as her black and yellow costume is, her love for blood and vengeance will even make a psychopath sweaty.

After four years of coma, dodging death with a bullet in her head, she knew she was given another chance to fulfill her purpose. Who says vengeance can’t be it?

3. Shosanna Dreyfus in Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Inglourious Basterds (2009)Source: Universal Pictures, The Weinstein Company

Tarantino’s love for whipping up revenge stories is matched by my enthusiasm for analyzing, reading, and watching them. If I were ever to take revenge, I’d do it the Shosanna Dreyfus style.

As a young girl, she witnessed Colonel Hans Landa murder her entire family before narrowly escaping. She escapes to Paris and goes on to own a theatre. It’s been 14 years since. When Private Frederick Zoller, a German sniper, expresses romantic interest in her, Shosanna acts quickly.

A single Nazi might have killed her family, but she avenges their deaths by killing Adolf Hitler. She dies right before the nitrate explosion lit by her lover. Our only regret? She doesn’t get to witness the deaths of her enemies in real time. That would’ve been the real sweet treat for her.

4. Kim Soo-hyeon in I Saw the Devil (2010)

I Saw The Devil (2010)Source: Magnolia Pictures, Finecut, Showbox

Kim Jee-woon’s I Saw the Devil is a dark tale of vengeance for love that follows a secret agent, Kim Soo-hyeon, who, devastated by the horrific murder of his fiancée, sets out to track down her killer.

Soon enough, Kim finds him, but what follows next is a demented game of physical and psychological torture, combined with a deadly game of cat-and-mouse as Kim loses himself to his monstrous instincts, blinded by grief and wrath.

I love how Korean cinema traces every emotion, however simple or twisted, back to love, be it an action thriller like I Saw the Devil or a love story like When Life Gives You Tangerines.

P.S. If my lover doesn’t avenge my death like Kim Jee-woon, I’m coming back from the afterlife to haunt him forever!

5. Jeffrey in The Killer (1989)

The Killer (1989)Source: Media Asia Entertainment Group, Golden Princess Film Production

Jeffrey is drowning in guilt after he blinds Jennie, a beautiful lounge singer, during a previous assassination assignment. In the quest for redemption, Jeffrey decides to leave the business so that he can care for Jennie and also get her eye surgery done, which might help her see again.

However, for the latter, he needs to accept one last assignment to have enough money. He realizes a little late that his employers want him dead. Not that it stops him from doing what he does best—kill!

As we learn, not every man who kills is bad.

6. Woo-jin in Old Boy (2003)

Old Boy (2003)Source: Show East

There’s no way to justify the actions of this grief-stricken man, because somehow, Woo-jin himself brought on all the misery that ultimately defined his life.

However, his plan for revenge is a work of art, spanning more than 15 years and requiring meticulous attention. It all started from a high school rumor and only ended with his death, after he had completely destroyed the life of the guilty.

Korean cinema once again proves that love can be both nurturing and fatal, in its own way.

7. Amy in Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl (2014)Source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

If you’ve ever been cheated on or wronged, you’ve probably daydreamed about executing Amy’s plan in real life.

She fakes her own death only to frame her husband for it until she returns to take charge of the climax of her narrative. You have to give her credit for her plan being both exciting and flawless. She breaks Nick down psychologically, ensuring that he is weakened enough never to dare jeopardize their relationship ever again.

She takes it upon herself to teach him a twisted lesson—for every action, there’s an exaggerated, disastrous, and near-mortal reaction!

Revenge stories remind us of our darkest sides; however, they’re also a testament to what people do in love and grief.

Let us know which is your favorite character in the list!