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There is a reason people love movies about revenge. A revenge movie is thrilling, has a clear plot to follow, and as the avenger reaches nearer to their enemy, the excitement keeps on growing. Viewers usually love the final fight between the hero and the villain which acts as a fulfilling closure.
These kinds of movies also symbolize the winning of good over evil, which is cathartic to the viewers. So, for those people who enjoy straightforward movies, with plenty of action and revenge plots, here’s a list of nine movies that cater to such needs.
John Wick, Taken, Bad Boys, and other revenge movie plots to watch in 2024
1) Monkey Man
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Starring and directed by Dev Patel, this action-thriller film is about Kid (Patel), who sees his mother and villagers getting massacred by a corrupt police chief, Rana, at the behest of a spiritual guru. Now grown up, and working as a heel and jobber, with his signature monkey mask, Kid decides to avenge his mother and people.
The film is critically acclaimed and Patel’s nuanced acting received praise. The movie also portrays themes such as corruption, casteism, and the influence of Hindu mythology on politics. Monkey Man has a neo-noir style and impressively adds emotional depth, to an otherwise gritty and revenge-ridden film.
2) Bad Boys: Ride or Die
The hilarious duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is back. In this fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise, the viewers see Will and Martin reprise their previous roles of Det. Lt. Michael Eugene and Det. Lt. Marcus Miles Burnett.
Filled with action and comedy, the duo has to clear the false accusation put on their late Captain, Conrad Howard, and even on themselves. The film was a financial success and is a must-watch for Will and Martin’s chemistry, unique camera work, and high-octane action scenes.
3) The Equalizer
Based on a 1980s TV series, this Denzel Washington starrer is a tense action-thriller. The story revolves around Robert McCall (Washington), who is a former marine and CIA officer. His reclusive life is turned upside down when he befriends a victim of human trafficking, who is beaten brutally. Hell-bent on avenging justice for the girl, Robert is pushed deep into the larger world of the mafia.
The movie was a major hit that spawned two sequels. Critics praised Denzel Washington’s lethal performance as a just revenge-seeker. The film lends a nail-biting atmosphere and sharp action sequences that would leave the viewers hooked.
4) The Brave One
Starring Jodie Foster, this vigilante-thriller is about Erica Bain (Foster), whose fiancé is beaten to death by random men. Scared for her security, she purchases a handgun, transforms her appearance, and launches a spate of vigilante shootings. While also being on the hunt for the men who killed her lover.
The film is loosely inspired by the film Death Wish and Jodie Foster delivers an impressive performance. The movie also plays on psychological elements as Erica gets addicted to carrying out vigilante justice. There is a sneaky cat-and-mouse chase also included between her and a police detective.
5) The Beekeeper
Directed by David Ayer and starring Jason Statham, this revenge thriller is about a former ‘beekeeper’ (a secret organization that carries out justice) who decides to avenge the people behind a scam that led to the suicide of his warm-hearted landlady.
His road to revenge takes him through a deep maze that goes all the way to the top. The film also stars Jemma Redgrave, Jeremy Irons, and Josh Hutcherson. Statham does an impressive job as a restrained and brooding avenger. The film is an engrossing watch.
6) John Wick
An obvious addition to the list of revenge movies, John Wick was released in 2014 and soon developed into a media franchise of sequels, video games, and comics. The movie is about retired hitman Wick’s (played by Keanu Reeves) attempt to avenge the people who killed his dog, which was a gift from his deceased wife.
The movie was critically acclaimed for its nuances, slick action, Reeves’ cold acting, and long, single takes. The movie is also littered with neo-noir cinematography that showcases an artistic landscape of dimly-lit nightclubs, art-deco hotel rooms, and gothic-looking Churches.
7) The Crow
Starring Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs, this gothic superhero movie is the fifth film in the The Crow franchise. Directed by Rupert Sanders, the film is about Eric/The Crow (Bill), who resurrects from the dead to avenge the people behind his and his girlfriend’s murder.
It is a slow-burn film and has an elegant pace and direction. It fleshes out the endearing love between Eric and his girlfriend, who both find love in rehab. The film has a macabre and moody atmosphere. Viewers who love such fantastical plots should give it a try.
8) Thanksgiving
Directed by Eli Roth, this slasher film stars Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Rick Hoffman, and others. It is set around the Thanksgiving holiday, around Plymouth, Massachusetts, where a Black Friday riot, leads to multiple deaths. The town soon begins to be terrorized by an axe-wielding murderer in a John Carver mask, who wants to make the surviving people pay for their greed.
The film is a traditional horror-slasher that also offers social commentary on the danger of over-consumption in a capitalist society. The viewers should be prepared, as it has a heavy amount of gore in it and is an all-out campy, slasher film.
9) Taken
Starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Katie Cassidy, Famke Janssen, and others. Directed by Pierre Morel, this French action-thriller is a cult classic and revolves around Bryan Mills (Neeson), a former CIA agent, who races against time to save his daughter and her friend from a human trafficking ring.
The movie was a huge success and revitalized Neeson’s image as an action star. His merciless revenge and director Morel’s fast-paced action were received well. The film also spawned two sequels. Taken is an all-out action film, and viewers who love action-heavy movies, should definitely try it.
Viewers who love the thrill of revenge movie plots are welcome to go through the list and choose any movie that they like.
