Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘Vengeance’ Is An Ambitious Directorial Debut

REVIEW: ‘Vengeance’ Is An Ambitious Directorial Debut

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings08/02/20223 Mins ReadUpdated:08/02/2022
Vengeance - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Vengeance - But Why Tho

Vengeance is a Focus Features/Blumhouse Productions film written and directed by B.J. Novak. Ben Manalowitz (Novak) is a highly successful writer looking to break into the podcasting world. His wish comes true when Ty Shaw (Boyd Holbrook) calls him with the news that one of his old flings Abilene (Lio Tipton) died. Ben decides to stay in Texas to interview the Shaws and other locals, making Abilene the subject of his podcast. There are just two things wrong with this plan. One: The Shaws believe that Ben and Abilene’s relationship was far more serious than it actually was.  And two: Ty believes that Abilene’s death was foul play and intends to take vengeance – and draws Ben into it.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

This film marks Novak’s directorial debut, following on the heels of his FX on Hulu series The Premise. Both The Premise and Vengeance attempt to tackle weighty topics; the latter, in particular, is interested in why people seek vengeance. It also explores the cultural clash between different parts of America. Ben, a Jewish writer who lives in New York, is often befuddled by Texan customs throughout Vengeance’s runtime. I will give Novak credit for doing his research; as a native Texan, there are things in this film that resonated strongly with me – including the true meaning of “bless your heart” as well as the glory of Whataburger. 

Novak’s direction is also nothing to sneeze at. Long tracking shots capture the setting and rising sun, and most of the direction is handheld which lends a sort of authenticity to the process. And every so often, scenes will cut from the dusty plains of Texas to the sleek, modern offices of New York, further underlining the difference between the two cities. Should Novak direct more films, he should definitely continue to refine his style – especially as it pertains to themes of duality.

However, while Novak proves to be an adept hand behind the camera, he’s the weakest link in his cast. It’s Holbrook and Issa Rae who steal the show as Ty and Ben’s editor Eloise, respectively. Holbrook, best known for his roles in genre fare like Logan and The Predator, flips the script by playing a guy who wants to seem like a badass but is really searching for any sort of meaning behind his sister’s death. And Rae gets some of the film’s funniest lines, including a bit about how there are too many white guys with podcasts. Her limited screen time will probably make viewers long for another season of Insecure. Even Ashton Kutcher gets to shine as an eccentric music producer – though his character is involved in an unnecessarily convoluted conclusion.

Vengeance is an ambitious if unwieldy directorial debut from B.J. Novak that attempts to balance dark humor with profound truth. While not on the same level of other Focus Features films like The Northman and Brian and Charles, it still shows some impressive technical work on Novak’s part and should provide a nice counter-balance to some of the bigger theatrical offerings. 

Vengeance is in theaters now.

  • 7/10
    Rating - 7/10
7/10

TL;DR

Vengeance is an ambitious, if unwieldy directorial debut from B.J. Novak that attempts to balance dark humor with profound truth. While not on the same level of other Focus Features films like The Northman and Brian and Charles, it still shows some impressive technical work on Novak’s part and should provide a nice counter-balance to some of the bigger theatrical offerings. 

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Harley Quinn,’ Issue #18
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Bullet Train’ is an Erratic and Chaotic Comedy of Errors
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa in The Map That Leads to You
8.0

REVIEW: ‘The Map That Leads To You’ Is YA Romance Done Right

08/19/2025
Lurker promotional still from MUBI

REVIEW: ‘Lurker’ Probes The Intoxication Of Fame

08/19/2025
The Knife (2025) promotional still
7.0

REVIEW: ‘The Knife’ Is Simple And Too Much At The Same Time

08/17/2025
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

08/16/2025
Fixed promotional key art from Netflix Animation
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Fixed’ Is Top-Notch Animation But Bottom Of The Barrel Comedy

08/15/2025
Denzel Washington Highest 2 Lowest
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Has A Ton Of Fun Missing It’s Own Points

08/15/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here