Close Menu
  • 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
    HITMAN World of Assassination - Signature Edition

    ‘HITMAN World Of Assassination’ Struggles On Switch 2

    06/16/2025
    One Piece But Why Tho 5

    Fathers of ‘One Piece’: Powerful Bonds, Legacy, and Found Family

    06/13/2025
    Elena Street Fighter 6 But Why Tho

    Elena Brings Style And Versatility To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    06/06/2025
    Lune and Sciel from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

    Lune, Sciel, And The Romance Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Fails To Realize

    06/05/2025
    Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro

    Everything To Know About Eve Macarro In ‘Ballerina’

    06/05/2025
  • Star Wars
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
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

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
8.5

REVIEW: ’28 Years Later’ Is Tense Until The Last Three Minutes

06/18/2025
Elio in Pixar's Elio
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Elio’ Gets Lost In The Stars But Mostly Finds Its Way Home

06/17/2025
Diablo (2025) promotional key art
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Diablo’ Keeps The Mid-Budget Action Goodness Going

06/16/2025
Deep Cover (2025) key art with Nick Mohammed, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Orlando Bloom
6.0

REVIEW: Orlando Bloom Gives His All In ‘Deep Cover’

06/15/2025
Our Times But Why Tho
3.5

REVIEW: ‘Our Times’ Wastes A Good Premise On A Bad Plot

06/14/2025
Red Blood Cell and White Cell in Cells at Work
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Cells at Work’ Does A Beloved Anime Justice

06/13/2025
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night with the Duke Episodes 1-2
8.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 1-2

By Sarah Musnicky06/12/2025

The bar is set pretty high with The First Night With The Duke Episodes 1-2. While exposition-heavy, it is a delightfully silly watch.

Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered promotional art from Bandai Namco
6.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered’

By Matthew Glenn06/14/2025

Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Battle Destiny Remastered is runs on nostalgia and great Gundam piloting, but there is more left to be desired.

Y'shtola in the FFXIV Commander Deck - Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy Interviews

Magic Designer Explains The Challenge Of Picking A Face For The FFXIV Commander Deck

By Kate Sánchez06/11/2025Updated:06/11/2025

FFXIV Commander Deck pulls highlights core characters and mechanics, with Y’shtola as its Commander. But building the deck, wasn’t easy.

Eric McCormack in Hell Motel
7.0
TV

REVIEW: ‘Hell Motel’ Takes A Stab At True Crime

By Sarah Musnicky06/17/2025Updated:06/17/2025

Hell Motel blurs genres with this murder mystery, true crime slasherfest. While it’s not the team’s best work, it’s still fun.

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