“Do Revenge” is Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s teen comedy twist on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 film “Strangers on a Train,” starring Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) and Camila Mendes (“Riverdale”). They are two girls who team up to exact revenge on the people who have wronged them. The film features a cast packed with stars from some of this generation’s hottest shows. These include “Euphoria” star Austin Abrams, “Outer Banks” breakout Jonathan Daviss, and “13 Reasons Why” star Alisha Boe to name a few. The sharp comedy is one of Netflix’s strongest releases this year. It has likable characters (mostly), a neat story with unexpected plot twists, and delicious visuals everywhere you look.
Neatly packed up into a two-hour runtime, “Do Revenge” follows Drea (Mendes) and Eleanor (Hawke) as they team up to get revenge on the people who ruined their teen years. Drea is your average popular girl, attending prestigious Rosehill High. She has an abundance of friends, a great relationship, and is set to go onto Yale after graduation. However, when a private video meant for her boyfriend Max (Austin Abrams) leaks to the entire school, she finds herself at the bottom of the high school social ladder. And then there’s Eleanor (Hawke) a new student to Rosehill who discovers she now must attend school with the girl who started a rumour and turned her into an outcast years ago. When this unlikely duo cross paths, they form a unique and secret friendship. They form a plan to get revenge on their enemies and those who made their lives hell.
Hawke and Mendes Give Strong Performances
While “Do Revenge” doesn’t draw awards-worthy performances from its leads, Hawke and Mendes give strong performances as their respective characters. Hawke’s turn as Eleanor shows her in role that contrasts to her sarcastic, lovable portrayal of Robin in “Stranger Things.” Camila Mendes gives a solid turn opposite Hawke. The “Riverdale” lands a much more likable role this time around, compared to her character in the infamous Netflix series. Hawke and Mendes are a brilliant pairing. They seamlessly bounce off each other and don’t feel stiff every time they’re on-screen together. The rest of the film’s cast also give solid turns. Austin Abrams does a fantastic job making Max the most unlikeable character of the film, and it’s a shame Talia Ryder (“Never Rarely Sometimes Always”) wasn’t in the film more.
A scene from Netflix’s “Do Revenge.” (Photo: Kim Simms/Netflix).
The script, courtesy of Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and “Space Jam: A New Legacy” Writer Celeste Ballard, is packed with references almost every member of Gen Z can relate to. This includes a place to go if you’re offended, Instagram cliques, a throwaway Lin-Manuel Miranda reference, and a ‘Cis Hetero Men Championing Female-Identifying Students League’. This is one of the few Gen Z-subject films that doesn’t butcher its subject matter and turn into a cringe-fest. As well as a script that feels very plugged in to how teens of today interact, “Do Revenge” is accompanied by a soundtrack featuring some of the biggest artists including Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Rosalía.
A Refreshing Flick to Come from Netflix’s Never-ending Production Line
The highlights of the film are obviously Alana Morshead’s (“Equals”) stylish costumes and Hillary Gurtler’s vibrant production design. It makes “Do Revenge” one of the most fashionable films of 2022. What the film does well is not take itself too seriously, and it doesn’t make a heavy societal statement. Instead, Robinson brings Netflix viewers a story about two girls getting their well-deserved revenge that’s seemingly simple. That is, however, until wild plot twists change the course of the film and make it even more entertaining.
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s stylish, preppy, and slick sophomore feature tells a twisting story of betrayal and revenge. Featuring strong performances from Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes, this is a modern-day adaptation of a ’50s classic, with fashion-show worthy costumes throughout. It is a refreshing flick to come out of the seemingly never-stopping Netflix production line, and perhaps one of 2022’s best comedies.
“Do Revenge” is available to stream on Netflix.
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