Do Revenge: Netflix Classic

Do Revenge is pure, over-the-top cheesiness, and honestly, I kind of liked it. It’s got that homage vibe to classic teen revenge flicks, and even if the acting and dialogue are a bit ridiculous at times, it was still entertaining.

The third-act twist where Eleanor is revealed to be this revenge-hungry “Nora” was a fun surprise, but the story gets weirdly problematic after that. Up until that point, I was on board with it as a Netflix movie—fun enough. But then, Drea randomly outs Eleanor in front of everyone, and despite Eleanor literally putting her in the hospital, Drea goes and apologizes to her. Really? The movie makes it seem like it’s totally fine to forgive and even befriend someone who tried to destroy your life. Eleanor hit her with a car and messed up her future, and somehow, Drea is the one apologizing? That just didn’t make sense.

The movie ends with a weirdly unrealistic message: it’s okay to wreck other people’s lives if you’re a girl, apparently. Drea and Eleanor get off without any real consequences for all the messed-up things they did. Max may be the film’s main “villain,” and yeah, he deserved the hate, but he’s actually the only one who faces any fallout. Drea and Eleanor? Nope. They drug students, expose personal messages, ruin lives, and there’s just...nothing. The movie even gives them a happy ending where they get the guy/girl and forgive each other, which feels way too easy.

It’s especially frustrating because Do Revenge tries to be like Cruel Intentions, but without the punch of consequences. Even Sarah Michelle Gellar (who’s the best part of the movie, btw) couldn’t save the ending. If they had gone with an ending that actually showed the fallout of revenge and manipulation, it would’ve been so much more impactful.

So, yeah, it’s a fun watch with a disappointing end. It could have been great if it hadn’t let the main characters off so easily, but it’s still an entertaining ride for what it is.