Ben (B.J. Novak) is called down to Texas for a one-night stand, Abilene’s (Lio Tipton) funeral, but he’s not entirely sure why he, of all people, is the person that the family wants to attend her services. When he arrives in rural Texas, far from civilization, he realizes–or rather told, by Abeline’s brother Ty (Boyd Holbrook), that there is far more to her death than a simple overdose. As Ben, a podcaster, navigates the divisive terrain of Texas, he will learn more than he could have ever imagined, both good and bad–and his life will surely change forever.
The last time that Novak made a big splash in the world of cinema was back in 2005 when he starred in and wrote numerous episodes of The Office–and never before Vengeance had he directed a film. However, he finds himself leading one of my most highly anticipated films of 2022, and this film was worth the wait.
The Office is known for having its long, draw-out sequences that exude both comedy and awkwardness–and Novak uses what he knows to employ a similar style here in Vengeance. In particular, the funeral sequence, while obviously not one singular shot, feels endless, uncomfortable, and drawn out–significantly longer than it needs to be. I don’t mean this negatively, but rather in the best way possible. What people loved about Novak’s role in the creation of that aforementioned sitcom is that he was able to harbor discomfort, releasing it at exactly the right time, appealing to his audience in a way that somehow manages never to get old. Novak employs his talent in a way that continues to impress throughout–and from the opening moments, every single line is developed and delivered with incredible aplomb.
Novak is beautiful in the way that he conveys information. He knows how to develop the perfect balance of comedy, drama, and genuine emotion–and each can be seen in nearly every line. He reaches his viewers throughout the course of Vengeance as a result of his dynamic writing–and there’s never a moment when viewers feel either over or underwhelmed during their viewing of this film.
The symbolism and metaphor present throughout the course of Vengeance is impeccable, and it never relents. Wattaburger seems like a strange choice of places to use as a metaphor for hope and family, but not only does Novak manage to find a way to fit it in organically, its purpose is so beautifully understood that it, in some ways, becomes the cornerstone of the entire film. There’s a number of ways in which Novak could have chosen to express these metaphors–and while dialogue is typically the way in which he chooses to express those things here, the most impressive is, again, the use of Wattaburger to express to viewers how important and readily available hope and family can be. He does a spectacular job throughout portions of Vengeance of using light (and the absence of) to express these sentiments. These instances are literally and figuratively beautiful–and Novak never fails to reel viewers in using these techniques.
Without a doubt Novak is the primary reason by which Vengeance finds success. He’s the writer, director, producer, and star of the production–and he fills each of these roles with impeccable vigor. However, Ashton Kutcher (Quentin Sellers), brings to life the best performance of the entire film. He’s passionate, invigorating, hilarious, and brilliantly profound in his performance–and it’s likely that this is his best showing since The Butterfly Effect.
Novak is the perfect example of quality over quantity, as he shows the world how incredibly talented he is in every facet of filmmaking. He waited until he was in his forties to direct a film, and much like my wait for the film over the course of the past few months, Novak’s wait was worth it. I’ve said this a few times in the past month, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do so, but this is one of the best films that I’ve seen all year. From emotion to comedy, and acting to genuine purpose–Vengeance has it all; and Novak’s directorial debut sets the bar high for the seasoned writer. Vengeance is a film that you absolutely have to watch–you’ll enjoy every single second of the film on both a literal and existential level.
Written & Directed by B.J. Novak.
Starring B.J. Novak, Boyd Holbrook, Dove Cameron, Issa Rae, Ashton Kutcher, Isabella Amara, J. Smith-Cameron, Lio Tipton, Eli Bickel, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
