Revenge (2017) • Digital HD

Never take your mistress on an annual guys’ getaway, especially one devoted to hunting. A violent lesson for three wealthy married men.

written by Jonathan 'Jono' Simpson.

Exploitation movies have a none too proud tradition of portraying women as either victims or sex objects, yet some moviegoers are still enticed by the rape-revenge sub-genre. Traditionally associated with gory extravaganzas and grindhouse misogyny, these video nasties revolved around sexual violence. But occasionally, with films such as Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965) and Death Proof (2007), they rise above their sleaziness and offer a kick to the groin.

Deconstructing this controversial sub-genre, movies such as I Spit On Your Grave (1978) and Ms. 45 (1981) make it less about the exploitation of women and more about the victim’s growing empowerment. They depict men as predators and sexualise the scantily clad heroine, but eventually make you root for her to dish out as much bloody vengeance as possible. Corealie Fargeat’s Revenge is a new chapter in the history of the rape-revenge movie and his story proves that…