Revenge is a dish best served cold, and old as these period-set pictures of divine retribution have proven time and time again. Spanning from feudal Japan to the wild west, throughout Europe, and throughout history, these films transport us to centuries-old eras of lawlessness where power goes hand-in-hand with cruelty. Sometimes though, the corrupt and the criminal don’t get their comeuppance from a moralistic knight in shining armor, but rather a sorrowful soul hellbent on vengeance.
Robert Eggers’ The Northman is the latest historic revenge film to grace cinemas, but there have been plenty of movies before which have walked a similar path. Some are action-packed blockbusters, others are contemplative character studies, all of them are worth watching if you crave good old-fashioned revenge.
“All I Had Was That Boy – And He Took Him From Me” – The Revenant (2015)
One of the more recent historic revenge films, the unyielding survival epic is perhaps best known as the film that finally won Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar. Based on the mythos surrounding real life fur trapper Hugh Glass (DiCaprio), The Revenant sees the legendary figure fight against nature to find and kill the man who murdered his son.
The audience is made to feel the brutality of the elements Glass faces which emphasizes the resolve within him to exact his revenge. Tom Hardy’s utterly disdainful performance as John Fitzgerald was the icing on the cake which made this tale of vengeance all the more rewarding.
“He Was The Only Man I Ever Killed Worth Remembering” – Gangs of New York (2002)
The 1860s may not be the era we initially think of when we hear ‘Martin Scorsese’ and ‘New York gangsters’ in the one sentence, but the legendary director’s 2002 film stands as an under-appreciated entry to the genre. Another instance with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role, Gangs of New York follows Amsterdam Vallon, an Irish immigrant with a vendetta against the gang leader who killed his father.
Unlike other revenge films, there’s no long wait until the two characters meet with Amsterdam infiltrating Bill “The Butcher” Cutting’s (Daniel Day-Lewis) organization early in the story. While it’s not quite among the director’s greatest films, it does serve as a violent study of characters and allows two of today’s greatest actors to share the screen.
“You Must Pay For Everything In This World, One Way Or Another” – True Grit (2010)
A fourteen-year-old girl may not be the usual revenge film protagonist, but Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) was an unrelenting force in The Coen Brothers’ 2010 remake, True Grit. Desperate to track down the man who shot her father, Ross enlists the help of a drunken U.S. Marshall (Jeff Bridges) and works with a Texas Ranger (Matt Damon) who is after the culprit for his own reasons.
The squabbling trio are a delight to watch in this somber rendition of Charles Portis' novel. The filmmakers aren’t afraid to put their own quirky spin on the story, which is as direct, likable, and rewarding as the young protagonist.
“Hello. My Name Is Inigo Montoya…” – The Princess Bride (1987)
Admittedly “historic” is being pushed to its most extreme limits here, but The Princess Bride was too good to not include, and there are some references to the real world in the story-within-a-story. One of them is the Spanish swashbuckler Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) whose vendetta against the six-fingered man who slayed his father is among the film's best and most piercing aspects.
A fantastic introduction to his quest, brilliant build-up, and a flawless payoff cements Montoya’s subplot as one of the best in cinematic history. The fact that The Princess Bride is not primarily a revenge movie is overshadowed by the triumph of the scene-stealing Spaniard and his endlessly quotable monologue.
“Where Will My Family Get Their Justice, If Not From Me?” – Black ‘47 (2018)
Set in the height of the Irish Potato Famine, Black ’47 is a revenge film in the truest sense of the term. Focusing on an Irish mercenary (James Frecheville) who returns home to find his family killed by the English, the revenge arc is as brutal as it is satisfying.
Earning praise for its bleak, arresting visuals and gritty fight scenes, it is a compelling watch which uses its simplicity to striking affect. With a supporting cast including Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, and new Joker actor Barry Keoghan, this Irish revenge flick is worth a watch.
“It’s A Hell Of A Thing, Killing A Man” – Unforgiven (1992)
Come the early 90s, the western was well on the way to becoming a thing of the past, that was before Unforgiven was released as re-definition of the genre. Set in Wyoming, it focuses on a band of prostitutes who put a bounty on the man who disfigured one of their own, and William Munny’s (Clint Eastwood) makeshift posse who hope to claim the reward.
Winning four Oscars, including Best Picture, Unforgiven offers a contemplative deep dive into the brand of violence which had been glamorized in westerns for decades. A masterful revenge-drama, Eastwood’s magnum opus is one of the essential revisionist westerns.
“… They May Take Our Lives, But They Will Never Take Our Freedom” – Braveheart (1995)
While its historical inaccuracies are likely to leave historians cringing, Braveheart is a bombarding epic of romance, war, and drama which knows how to stir raw emotion. Ignited by the unjust execution of his wife, William Wallace (Mel Gibson) takes up arms against the English and their oppressive rule over Scotland.
Refusing to stop at pay back for his own losses, Wallace’s revolution inspires an army of Scots to rise up and fight for their freedom. Even today, the gritty film is recognized for the brutality of its incredible battle sequences which have been surpassed by few, if any, for impact and pop-culture appreciation.
“Keep Your Loving Brother Happy” – Once Upon A Time in the West (1968)
Westerns have long been among the more prominent genres for revenge films and Sergio Leone is the master of the western, so it should be no surprise to see his work on this list. With palpable tension, Ennio Morricone’s immaculate score, and dangerous characters entwined in a story of greed and revenge, Once Upon A Time in the West brings out all the director’s trademarks for an operatic, gunslinging extravaganza.
Gradually unfolding over the 165-minute runtime, the revenge plot drip feeds information and emotion to the audience while building the stakes and the spectacle. Considered by many to be Leone’s masterpiece, it’s an effortlessly cool and grandiose western with a vengeful overtone that runs red-hot.
“Motome Chijiiwa Was A Man Of Some Acquaintance To Me” – Harakiri (1962)
One of the many acclaimed masterworks from Japan’s mid-century samurai blitz, Masaki Kobayashi’s Harakiri bears atmospheric tension, intense character work, and spurts of brutal violence akin to Eggers’ filmography to date. Following an aging warrior who arrives at a nobleman’s house seeking permission to perform a ritual suicide, it is a winding tale of mystery and power.
With its jigsaw-like story structure, the revenge plot steadily manifests throughout the film as Kobayashi draws as much drama from character interactions as he does from combat. That, as well as spellbinding visuals, makes for a meticulously crafted picture which fans of Eggers – and of film in general – should strive to watch if they haven’t already.
“… And I Will Have My Vengeance, In This Life Or The Next” – Gladiator (2000)
Any sort of list about revenge films would be woefully incomplete without the inclusion of Ridley Scott’s epic, Gladiator. Winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, it was an undisputed success upon release and has been influential in keeping historic blockbusters in vogue in the 21st century.
Betrayed by the patricidal and despicable new Emperor (Joaquin Phoenix), a Roman General (Russell Crowe) goes from soldier to slave to gladiator on his quest to avenge his murdered family. While there is plenty going on in Scott’s spanning story, the major through-line of Maximus’ revenge delivers all the best and most rewarding moments. And who could ever forget that speech he delivers to Commodus in the arena