Review: Do Revenge

Released to Netflix in September of 2022, Do Revenge is an American teen comedy that revitalises the teenage revenge-flick trend of the 1990s and early 2000s. Do Revenge is headed by Drea (Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke). Drea is initially fairly high on the social ladder until her boyfriend, Max (Austin Abrams), anonymously releases an intimate tape that she had privately shared with him. This betrayal of Drea’s trust sends her into a social downwards spiral, leaving her an outcast from her peers. By chance, Drea meets an exchange student named Eleanor, and the two instantly bond over their shared desire to enact revenge upon those who have wronged them.

The plot, although marginally intriguing, struggles to divert from being entirely predictable

It is hard for Do Revenge’s plot to stay away from the formulaic tropes of many teen comedies, especially when Netflix is at the helm. The plot, although marginally intriguing, struggles to divert from being entirely predictable. I will not spoil the so called ‘twist’, however, it can be anticipated throughout the entirety of the film’s first half. I also found that the twist was very rushed, and could have been more thoroughly thought out instead of being slapped into the narrative that was not asking for it.

Camila Mendes puts in a solid performance as the vengeful Drea, and is definitely the strongest of the two leads. Mendes’ recent venture into cinema from the depths of the CW’s drama Riverdale has been fairly successful. Mendes manages to pilot this feature with ease, showing that she is much more than the character that she is known for. A fairly surprising stand-out performance in Do Revenge has to be that of Erica (Sophie Turner). Turner is known for previously succeeding in fairly serious roles, however, her brief stint here really makes its mark. I look forward to Turner’s future comedic roles, as her casting as Erica was an unexpected stroke of genius.

Unfortunately, Mendes’ performance as Drea ultimately overshadows that of her screen partner. Hawke is known for her work on Netflix’s science fiction series Stranger Things, and seems to struggle to escape the grips of her character from the show. Hawke feels out of place in the role of Eleanor, appearing fairly monotonous and stiff throughout. Hawke seems to find difficulty in letting go, whereas, Mendes is able to have fun with her role. I found it difficult to see Hawke as the character as it felt like she never really gave in to the film. Hawke has such a legacy to live up to, and it appears that there may be some difficulty in this feat.

The visual aesthetic formed through Do Revenge is gorgeous

The visual aesthetic formed through Do Revenge is gorgeous, bathing the sets and costuming in pastel colours throughout. Costume designer Alana Morshead creates a distinct vision for her characters, while keeping the costumes relevant to today. Her choice of colour scheme creates a dream-like feel about Do Revenge, linking to the film’s themes of idolisation and idealisation. Visual references to iconic teen movies such as Clueless are evident and modernised in a recognisable, yet individual, way.

Although Do Revenge’s plot does seem like it may have suited a college setting better than a high school, the film pays homage to many iconic films surrounding the vengeance of American teenagers. Films such as Clueless and Jawbreaker clearly make their mark on this film aesthetically and narratively. It seems, however, that Mean Girls was Do Revenge’s biggest influence. Even the plot twist feels rooted in Mean Girls’ inclusion of an entirely duplicitous main character. Do Revenge does not feel like it will make the same cultural impact that its predecessors did. Following in the footsteps of films that have such a pop-culture standing, the film does pay homage to them fairly adequately.

Verdict:

Do Revenge had a lot riding on it, from Maya Hawke’s nepotistic dynasty to the filmography that cannot help but overshadow it. The film is fun and does have some strengths, however, it struggles to live up to this. Audiences may in to this film expecting much more from it than it is able to deliver, ultimately, resulting in disappointment. Do Revenge is a fun way to waste an hour and a half, but there are probably better options.