Vengeance Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Vengeance Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 1, 2023

B.J. Novak is a celebrated comedian, author, and a cast member on “The Office,” which, according to the internet, is the greatest television show of all time. He’s hunting for a new challenge with “Vengeance,” making his directorial debut with his take on American characters and podcast culture, also working in a murder mystery at times. Novak also writes and stars in the feature, accepting an enormous amount of responsibility to deliver a tightly constructed whodunit with heavy presence of a Texas insanity. Novak gets most of the way there with “Vengeance,” which pieces together rather cleanly for its first two acts, delivering a rich sense of personality and dramatic purpose, even when the story is uncomfortably similar to the hit show, “Only Murders in the Building.” The helmer can’t stick the landing, but Novak offers amusingly exaggerated observations and behaviors with the film, which remains an engrossing sit.

Ben (B.J. Novak) is a celebrated writer and podcaster, and also a womanizer, living for his “hook up” opportunities. He lives in New York City, trying to impress producer Eloise (Issa Rae) with his ideas, but he struggles to develop his next story. One day, Ben receives a call from Ty (Boyd Holbrook), sharing news that his sister, Abilene (Lio Tipton), died in a Texas oilfield, and the New Yorker should immediately get on a plane to attend the funeral. Trouble is, Ben barely remembers Abilene and their brief fling, while Ty is insistent that the visitor join his family, believing the pair were in a longtime relationship. Traveling to rural Texas, Ben is hit by culture shock and a plan from Ty to murder Abilene’s killer. Such a set-up inspires the podcaster to start recording, creating the series “Dead White Girl” for Eloise as he gets deeper into the investigation and meets more of the enigmatic locals.

Ben is introduced as a New York intellectual with a fondness for women, naturally joined by John Mayer at a party where the pair speed through thoughts and observations, establishing the character’s distance from emotions. He’s more connected to his career, aching to become a “voice” for the public, trying to dazzle Eloise with his intelligence, and when that doesn’t work, he returns to the comfort of casual sex with semi-strangers. “Vengeance” snaps into place with Ty’s initial phone call, sharing news of Abliene’s death while insisting he come to Texas to deal with a terrible situation involving his “girlfriend.” Novak gets the endeavor up to speed with refreshing efficiency, sending Ben south, which is alien to his experience, previously visiting only Austin, which apparently isn’t Texas, according to Ty.

A fish-out-of-water scenario is arranged, and “Vengeance” has some fun with the Texas way as Ben meets Ty’s family, who believe in the holiness of guns, the Alamo, and Whataburger, delighted to have the visitor join the household for a few days, connecting to the man who stole Abilene’s heart. Novak doesn’t get too outrageous with his view of Texas confidence, but he remains on this vibe for most of the feature, with Ben making a key mistake by interfering with college football worship. When Ty proposes a plan of revenge, “Vengeance” slides into a detective story, tracking Ben’s efforts to interview those connected to Abilene, creating the “Dead White Girl” podcast along the way. The screenplay puts the lead character into a series of strange encounters, meeting with law enforcement that doesn’t want to get involved in the investigation, and there’s Quentin (Ashton Kutcher), a local “music factory” mogul who challenges Ben with his worldliness, discussing the deceased’s dreams of music world stardom.

Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Vengeance" provides a clear look at frame details. The feature visits the expanse of Texas, and while greenscreen work is noticeable with driving shots, outdoor activity remains dimensional, highlighting flat land adventures. Textures are appreciable on the actors, exploring a range of faces with elements of age and bodily harm, and costuming remains fibrous, examining thicker cowboy fabrics, including hats. Interior decoration is open for examination. Colors deliver a brighter sense of sunlight and drier level of greenery, capturing a sun-blasted appearance. More varied hues are found in clothing choices and bar/restaurant lighting, including the sharp orange and white of Whataburger. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory.

Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix handles dialogue exchanges with authority, providing a crisp understanding of confrontations and a softer read of emotional moments, with nothing lost during the listening event. Scoring provides compelling support and clear instrumentation, joined by snappier soundtrack selections. Surrounds aren't too active, mostly handling a circular sense of engagement with music, while light atmospherics are present. Low-end isn't challenged, but some bar beats and an explosion provide some weight. Sound effects are crisp.

Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The picture is riveting when concentrating on the strange energy of others, including Sancholo (Zach Villa), a drug dealer with something to offer the podcaster. Characters are discovered, with layers of personality and secrets examined, creating a mild level of suspense, but comedy is more welcome as Novak delights in challenging assumptions about these people while also confirming their lunacy. It's the resolution of "Vengeance" that's disappointing, making room for tedious monologuing that drains the feature of tension, and the conclusion of Abilene's story isn't nearly as interesting as its introduction. Novak can't find a punchy way out of the story, but the mystery aspects of "Vengeance" are mediocre at best, with the endeavor much more alert when exploring idiosyncrasies and askew displays of pride, doing better as a comedy about culture and misunderstandings than a proper whodunit.