Good Revenge Movies

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful and influential organized crime dynasty in New York City. Its patriarch, Vito Corleone, reluctantly passes control of the family business to his youngest son, Michael. As Michael takes the reins, he quickly learns that being a leader involves making difficult, often dangerous decisions that will shape the future of the family and the entire American Mafia. With help from his loyal lieutenant and confidant, Tom Hagen, Michael moves the family out of the shadows and into a more legitimate life, while still protecting its interests. At the same time, Michael faces personal battles with his brother Fredo, his wife Kay, and the growing threat of rival mob families. As the Corleones' power grows, so does the danger from all sides.

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God is a 2002 Brazilian crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Set in the Cidade de Deus favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the film tells the story of the rise of organized crime in the 1960s and 1970s and the resulting war between rival gangs. The film follows the life of Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), a young man who uses his photographic skills to document the violence and corrupt system that rules his neighborhood. Through his eyes, we witness a series of events that affect his family, his friends, and his community. Violence, crime, and social injustice are all explored as the city of God struggles to find hope in a world of darkness.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French action thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. The story follows Leon (Jean Reno), a professional assassin, who reluctantly takes in twelve-year-old Mathilda (Natalie Portman), after her family is murdered by corrupt Drug Enforcement Administration agent Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Mathilda and Leon form an unlikely father-daughter relationship, as she trains to become a professional assassin herself. Together, they plot to avenge the death of her family by taking on Stansfield. The film also stars Danny Aiello, Peter Appel, and Chris Nahon.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 psychological thriller starring Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Scarlett Johansson. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film follows the story of two rival magicians in London during the Victorian era. Robert Angier (Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Bale) are initially friends and partners, but their relationship deteriorates when an onstage accident causes the death of Angier's wife. The two magicians become bitter rivals as they compete to be the better magician, using more and more dangerous tricks to one-up each other. Their rivalry takes a further turn when Borden creates a machine that can replicate himself in order to perform the trick that killed Angier's wife. Angier discovers the truth about the machine and embarks on a mission to destroy it no matter the cost. The film culminates in a surprise ending that reveals the truth behind the tricks and the lengths the two men have gone to in order to gain the prestige of being the best magician.

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Rated R

Gladiator is an epic historical drama directed by Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general betrayed by the new emperor, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Forced into slavery, Maximus is trained as a gladiator and sent to the Colosseum to fight for his freedom. Along the way, he develops a friendship with a fellow gladiator, Juba (Djimon Hounsou), and is determined to avenge his family's death by killing Commodus in the arena. With the help of Senator Gracchus (Richard Harris), Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Proximo (Oliver Reed), and the people of Rome, Maximus eventually succeeds in his mission to restore the Roman Republic.

From Sergio Leone, starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards
Rated PG-13

Once Upon a Time in the West is a classic spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone. The film follows three characters, the mysterious Harmonica, a vengeance-seeking Frank, and a ruthless railroad tycoon, as they battle for control of a small town in the American West. With its sweeping vistas, extended gunfights, and iconic musical score, the film is considered one of the most influential and celebrated Westerns of all time. The story is set in the late 19th century, in a frontier town in which a railroad tycoon is attempting to buy up all the land of the local farming families. His plans are disrupted, however, by the arrival of Harmonica and Frank, who have come to exact revenge for past wrongs. The ensuing conflict is both violent and dramatic, with the three men engaged in a battle of wits and wills to decide the fate of the town.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan that follows the story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), a man suffering from anterograde amnesia, as he attempts to track down his wife's murderer with the help of his unreliable memories and photographs. Leonard is unable to form new long-term memories due to his condition, and instead relies on mementos and tattoos to remember details of the investigation. With these clues, Leonard unravels the mystery of his wife's death while also faced with his own moral dilemmas. Memento is a complex and suspenseful film that explores themes of identity, memory, and revenge.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir action thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. The film follows the story of Oh Dae-su, a man who is mysteriously imprisoned in a strange hotel room-like cell for 15 years without knowing his captor's motives. After his sudden release, he embarks on a mission to find out the reason for his imprisonment and take his revenge. Along the way, he discovers a dark family secret and struggles to put the pieces of his past together. The film is known for its intense and violent action sequences, as well as its psychological themes of guilt and revenge.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 American revisionist Western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who treks across America to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. Along the way, he teams up with a bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) and they must contend with a variety of characters from the Antebellum South. The film features intense action, highly stylized violence, and liberal use of the N-word, as well as thought-provoking themes of race and slavery. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won two for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Waltz.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent
Rated R

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It tells the story of two plots to assassinate Nazi leaders during World War II. The first plot is led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), a rogue U.S. Army officer who enlists a group of Jewish-American soldiers to form the “Basterds,” a team of Jewish commandos who carry out revenge killings against the Nazis. The second plot is led by Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent) and her German lover, Frederick Zoller (Daniel Brühl). It involves an assassination attempt on Nazi leaders at a movie premiere in Paris. Both plots intertwine as the film progresses and culminates in a violent and bloody climax. The film features an ensemble cast, including Christoph Waltz as the villainous Hans Landa, and Mike Myers as a British general. It received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including two Oscars.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 American martial arts-action film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Starring Uma Thurman as The Bride, the movie follows her journey to seek revenge on the team of assassins who betrayed her and left her for dead. With help from a former mentor, she tracks down each of her former associates one-by-one and fights them in spectacularly choreographed and bloody battles. With her vengeance slowly being fulfilled, she finds that the consequences of her actions may be more than she bargained for.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris
Rated R

Unforgiven is a 1992 American western directed by Clint Eastwood and written by David Webb Peoples. It follows William Munny, an aging outlaw and killer who takes on one more job, years after he had turned to farming. Along with his partner Ned Logan and a young man, Munny sets out to claim a bounty offered for the killing of two cowboys who had disfigured a prostitute. As Munny and his party pursue the cowboys, they are tracked by a sadistic sheriff and his deputies. The film examines themes of morality, justice, and redemption, and earned Eastwood his two Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. It also won four BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Actor for Eastwood, as well Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay for Peoples. Unforgiven is widely considered to be one of the greatest westerns ever made and is credited with revitalizing the genre.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

Gran Torino is a 2008 drama film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. It follows the story of Walt Kowalski, an aging Korean War veteran who lives in a Detroit neighborhood that has been overrun by gangs. After Walt's wife dies, he becomes isolated and embittered, until he meets a Hmong teen named Thao, who is trying to stay out of a gang. Through their unlikely friendship, Walt comes to terms with his painful past and finds a way to redeem himself. With unexpected humor and warmth, the film explores themes of racism, redemption, forgiveness, and the power of redemption.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Moon So-ri
Rated Not Rated

The Handmaiden is a 2016 psychological thriller drama film directed by Park Chan-wook and starring Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, and Cho Jin-woong. The film is set in 1930s Korea, during the Japanese occupation, and follows the story of Sook-Hee, a young pickpocket, and Lady Hideko, a wealthy heiress who lives in a secluded estate. Sook-Hee is hired by a con artist posing as a Japanese count to serve as Lady Hideko’s handmaiden. As Lady Hideko becomes increasingly dependent on Sook-Hee, they develop a strong bond and Sook-Hee finds herself increasingly attracted to her. The film follows the secrets and lies of the two women as they attempt to outwit the dangerous forces that threaten to tear them apart.

From Robert Hamer, starring Dennis Price, Alec Guinness, Valerie Hobson, Joan Greenwood
Rated Not Rated

Kind Hearts and Coronets is the black comedy classic from Robert Hamer that tells the story of Louis Mazzini (Dennis Price), a distant relative of the wealthy D'Ascoyne family. After his mother is disinherited by the D'Ascoynes for marrying beneath her station, Louis swears revenge on the entire family. He sets out to assassinate each of the D'Ascoynes, from the Duke to the distant relatives, in order to become the new Duke himself. Along the way, he encounters a variety of colorful characters, including a female impersonator (Alec Guinness), a mysterious temptress (Valerie Hobson), and a variety of other aristocrats. In the end, he manages to achieve his goal, but at what cost?

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson
Rated R

The Revenant is an epic period action-drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. It follows the story of frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) who, in the 1820s, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling. Along his journey, Glass must battle the unforgiving winter terrain, rival fur trappers, and hostile Native Americans. It is a thrilling story of survival and revenge, and DiCaprio delivers a powerful performance as the relentless, determined explorer. The film also stars Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter.

From William A. Wellman, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes, Anthony Quinn
Rated Passed

The Ox-Bow Incident is the story of two drifters, Gil Carter and Art Croft, who stumble into a small Nevada town in the midst of a cattle-rustling controversy. On the suggestion of local rancher Major Tetley, a posse is formed to apprehend the suspected rustlers. After finding the three men on the nearby Ox-Bow meadow, the posse decides to hang them before they can face a trial. Despite Carter and Croft's pleas for mercy, the posse carries out the sentence, only to find out afterwards that the men were innocent. The movie highlights the consequences of mob mentality, and examines the morality of the death penalty.

From David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a 2011 psychological thriller directed by David Fincher. The film follows Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), an investigative journalist, and Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a computer hacker, as they team up to solve the 40-year-old murder of a Swedish industrialist’s niece, Harriet Vanger. As they dig into the dark history of the Vanger family, Blomkvist and Salander become increasingly entangled in a web of deceit and corruption. Through their investigation, they uncover a far-reaching conspiracy of murder and abuse, and must battle not only the powerful Vanger clan but also face-off against a serial killer who has been haunting the small Swedish town for decades. Ultimately, the pair must use their combined skills to bring the murderer to justice and reveal the truth behind Harriet Vanger’s disappearance.

From J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Lori Martin
Rated Passed

Cape Fear is a 1962 psychological thriller film directed by J. Lee Thompson, and starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, and Polly Bergen. The film follows Sam Bowden, a lawyer from North Carolina, and his family, who are terrorized by Max Cady, a convicted rapist whom Bowden had defended 14 years prior and sent to prison. Cady has been released and is determined to take revenge on Bowden for sending him to prison. He begins stalking and harassing Bowden and his family, and his sinister ways eventually leads to a terrifying confrontation. While Cady's intentions are menacing, Bowden is determined to protect his family no matter what the cost. In the end, Bowden is able to outwit Cady and save his family, but not without consequences.

From Alex Garland, starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno
Rated R

Ex Machina is a 2014 science fiction film written and directed by Alex Garland. The story focuses on a young programmer named Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) who is invited by his employer, the reclusive CEO of a cutting-edge tech company, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac), to spend a week at his isolated estate. Here, Caleb is tasked with evaluating the capabilities of an android with artificial intelligence, Ava (Alicia Vikander). As Caleb spends time with Ava, he realizes that she may not be as safe as Nathan claims. With help from his assistant Kyoko (Sonoya Mizuno), Caleb must uncover the truth about Ava and the secrets Nathan is hiding. He soon discovers that his task is far more complicated than he could have anticipated. Ex Machina is an exploration of the power of A.I. and the potential consequences of its use.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin
Rated PG-13

True Grit is a 2010 American western adventure film directed by the Coen brothers. It is the second adaptation of Charles Portis's 1968 novel of the same name, which was previously released in 1969. The film is about a 14-year-old girl named Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) who hires a U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to help her avenge the death of her father at the hands of a criminal outlaw named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). With the help of Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), the three set out on a dangerous journey to find Chaney and bring him to justice. Along the way, they face numerous obstacles and violence, and must rely on the courage and fortitude of each other to survive.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes
Rated R

The Skin I Live In is a psychological thriller directed by Pedro Almodóvar and starring Antonio Banderas. It tells the story of Robert Ledgard (Banderas), a renowned plastic surgeon, who has developed a revolutionary new skin for burn victims. His work, however, is driven by a personal agenda linked to a tragedy in his past. In a desperate attempt to protect his daughter from the same fate, he captures a young woman and keeps her captive in his mansion, subjecting her to a series of medical tests and cosmetic alterations. As the story unfolds, Ledgard's twisted past is revealed, and the ultimate truth of his experiments is revealed. The movie is filled with intense scenes, unexpected twists, and haunting imagery. It is a disturbing tale of obsession, revenge, and redemption.

From Jordan Peele, starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker
Rated R