Coralie Fargeat has only directed an episode of THE SANDMAN and her soon to be released film starring Demi Moore, THE SUBSTANCE. Some of the reason for this, lay with her 2017 feature debut REVENGE. Ostensibly a body horror meets rape revenge film, it erupted not only into both genres but it also seemed to top the gore drenched conventions from the then new, Feminist extremism cinema. REVENGE finds young and naïve Jen (Matilda Lutz) spending a few days with her wealthy boyfriend Richard (Guillaume Bouchede). So far, so good. We know that he is married and she is eager for both stardom and a life less ordinary from wherever she maybe be from in America.

Richard and Jen have two days and then Richard will go out for some hunting and Jen will be flown out, back to her normal life. When his two friends arrive, dripping with expectation at the hunt, they find a young woman and a rather concerned friend. As tension mount, sexual repression peaks and one friends steps over the line. A long way over, the situation abruptly and viciously intensifies. Jen is attacked and then left for dead. The men go on with their hunting trip. She however is neither dead, nor ready to let her assailants off the hook so easily.

It had been a big deal on release. A lot of those in the horror cannon and fandom seemed very impressed. I was also to be fair. It had a taste like I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE but with more rational, current and possibly intellectual subtext. Though not as complex or indeed compelling as Julia Ducournau exceptional works, it still held its own. I think this sounds flippant. I come across as self-absorbed. I am not. Nor am I suggesting that Fargeat REVENGE is lacking, more it holds its position and completes the circle with, as the Financial Times stated, a populist drive.

Second Sight films then released a special edition version of the film on Blu ray in 2020. That set had a lot of extra components, which served the film well. Now they have seen fit to release a standard version. Introducing it to a new audience again. Be that in terms of discussions on modern feminism, body politics, sexuality or many other a subject. In these (and in truth much beyond) Kat Ellinger brilliantly covers for her new commentary. She can be sometimes a bit too broad in range but here she delivers an essay on the films vast talking points.  The other extras here, were all and are all, on that Special edition.

Special Features

• Out for Blood: a new interview with Director Coralie Fargeat and Actor Matilda Lutz
• The Coward: a new interview with Actor Guillaume Bouchede
• Fairy Tale Violence: a new interview with Cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert
• Death Notes: a new interview with Composer Robin Court (Rob)
• New audio commentary by Kat Ellinger, Author and Editor of Diabolique