Vengeance (2022)

"Excellent - A Real Surprise"

Probably best known for appearing in the US version of the TV comedy The Office, writer-director-star B J Novak's feature film debut gets its DVD and Blu-ray release courtesy of Mediumrare Entertainment.

Ben Manalowitz is a writer with The New Yorker, busy enjoying the trendy New York way of life while trying to find an angle for a podcast that will make an impression on society and thus increase his own sense of self worth. One night he receives a telephone call to say that his girlfriend has died. The girl, Abilene (Lio Tipton) was actually just a brief flirtation but Ben finds himself travelling to a tiny town in the wilds of Texas to attend her funeral.

Once there Abilene's brother Ty (Boyd Holbrook, most recently seen as The Corinthian in The Sandman TV series) tells Ben he is convinced Abilene was murdered despite there being no evidence to suggest it. Initially reluctant to stay and help, Ben quickly views this as an opportunity for him to immerse himself in a community that he sees filled with ignorance and conspiracy theories. But there's a lot more going on than he realises.

Cinema trailers for VENGEANCE sold it on its comedy aspects, and there are plenty of laughs to be had here. But the film has a lot more going on than that, and to say what would be to spoil what is a surprisingly thoughtful movie about the things in modern life that can divide a nation. Novak makes for a good leading man with a performance that means you're with him all the way even when his initial plan is to exploit the locals for his podcast. There are some breathtaking shots of the Texas landscape and overall VENGEANCE successfully achieves a difficult balance of comedy, satire and thriller all to satisfying effect.

Mediumrare's Blu-ray contains a trailer but no other extras.

B J Novak's VENGEANCE is out on Blu-ray and DVD from Mediumrare on Monday 16th January 2023