A Vigilante

There’s probably some sensitivity in taking on a revenge violence film that may seem to glorify or justify violence. Most action films don’t give a crap about sending dangerous messages, and just dish up revenge violence by the bucket loads and it all feels pretty good and cathartic to see bad guys get their come-uppance, and I enjoy a lot of those films.

This film aims for a different market. It highlights and portrays domestic violence realistically, and especially the grief and trauma victims carry as baggage, but doesn’t go nuts on highlighting or validating the violence.

When Olivia Wilde’s character seeks vengeance for herself, or to assist someone else, you don’t see the act of violence as much as you see the after effects. You DO see some of the violence done TO her but not much BY her. Not that it’s insipid or sanitised. There is violence, some of it harrowing, and there is some come-uppance.

I quite enjoyed this. It didn’t censor, water down or mitigate the violence, but with a few editing and narrative options