Review by Chris Rennirt
Yet another revenge-horror film it is! “Oh no!” you say. “Please, not another!” But, wait. There’s a silver lining in this blood-soaked playbook of could-be cliches and overdone drudgery. This time it’s called AVENGED (2013, originally titled Savaged). And, yes, it’s another revenge film that had an original name changed to another for unknown reasons. But here is a far better example of the genre–one again using less money. Yes! This is another paragon of what can be done on a small budget, even using actors who don’t always act well. Avenged (written by Michael S. Ojeda and Deon van Rooyen), even with its shortcomings, kept my attention from beginning to end, without the dreaded regret as an aftertaste. With a straightforward story of viscous assault, killer special effects, and a revenge payload rivaling the best, what’s left to want? With all of that, Avenged might just be the anti-example of revenge-horror failure I reviewed days earlier. In earlier times, with less B-movie competition, it might have even been a cult classic.
What’s it all about? A young woman (yes, it’s always a young woman), Zoe (Amanda Adrienne Smith) travels to New Mexico to see her boyfriend (Marc Anthony Samuel). They are planning on making the “big leap” and live together. Of course, along the way, local degenerates intervene to stop the movie’s trek toward romance and nonlethal drama. Adding to it all is a supernatural element that I haven’t seen before (possibly even originality) involving the spirit of one seriously kick-ass Native American chief. Yes! I think it’s safe to say that the indigenous people would be more than happy to claim this one, without seeing cultural appropriation. It’s all just too much fun and, quite honestly, too much of a compliment…I think.
Amanda Adrienne Smith (as Zoe) in Avenged
As for the locals, they are definitely an original take on the hillbilly stereotype in horror. These are what I call racist, homicidal, desert-dwelling hillbilly rednecks. (A mouthful of nastiness, for sure!) Although lacking a woodland setting, mountains and moonshine stills, these dirty, “back desert” thugs have everything revenge horror needs, in a different setting. On the evil meter, they’re a sure cause for an extra rocket at SJR!
“Smith is commendably barefoot for a large part of the time….So, no rockets are lost at SJR!”
What is lacking in Avenged? Good acting–overall that is. Amanda Adrienne Smith (as Zoe–a deaf/mute woman) is excellent; she was so convincing that I wonder if she’s really deaf. What Smith is not required to do with the spoken word, she makes up for with facial expressions and emotions reflecting pain and suffering her character experiences…making it real. But, elsewhere acting is lacking. If it had not been for the engaging story otherwise–with good cinematography, special effects, etc.–the acting, at times (actually many times) would have been distracting to the point of ruining the movie. But, never fear! That never happened. Luckily, the arch villain of the hillbilly clan, Trey (Rodney Rowland), delivered a performance (along with that of Amanda Adrienne Smith) that kept the movie afloat–or, perhaps, from desiccating in the desert of revenge-horror failures.
About the special effects, they are impressive, particularly in scenes involving Zoe’s body. And that’s where I’ll leave it to avoid a spoiler there. Otherwise, special effects also outdid the lower expectations I had, in a big, albeit sometimes campy way (more on that later). While not perfect or “Hollywood” quality, they certainly worked. And with all else that worked, again I say, “What more can you ask for?”
“Look for a scene involving intestines, and you’ll be looking for West–Herbert West!”
Since this is revenge horror again, the obvious question arises…again. Does Avenged have the kind of payoff that satisfies? The answer is YES! Actually, there are few movies I’ve seen that dish out paybacks as well. When I think of such retribution in cinema, there is none so visceral and vengeful than what we get in The Woman (directed by Lucky Mckee, starring Pollyanna McIntosh). If there is any movie that Avenged comes closest to in style and origin of paybacks, it is The Crow (1994, starring Brandon Lee), particularly with it’s almost omnipotent supernatural element. In Avenged, even with its limitations, we get a comparable, buffet-size portion and “pound of flesh” for the appetite.
What about the gore? There’s plenty! Revenge horror with great gore as a bonus equals one sure-to-satisfy sanguine selection. Over the top at times (with an unintentional, near Re-Animator style), the gore is not always realistic and effective, especially in the gross-out factor. And it is, perhaps, this inconsistency that is a downside of the movie. Minus any attempt at dark humor, it made me laugh anyway. Look for a scene involving intestines, and you’ll be looking for West–Herbert West!
Eyes that speak a thousand words of revenge!
Since Zoe does become barefoot in the movie, continuity becomes an issue again. (Yes, bare feet have a lot to do with continuity–or lack there of–in movies.) Avenged is partially successful, but compared to Ravage, it does not do as well. Whereas Annabelle Dexter-Jones (as Harper in Ravage) stays barefoot until logically finding shoes, Amanda Adrienne Smith (as Zoe) does not. Smith is commendably barefoot for a large part of the time, but mysteriously finds her original pair of shoes when she has been nowhere near them again. Although not done as well, Smith does stay barefoot through a lot of rough desert terrain. So, no rockets are lost at SJR!
As mentioned earlier, Avenged is the second movie in a row I’ve reviewed with a different original title. The original (Savaged) can actually still be found on many of the movie’s posters online, and it seems to have been the title for quite some time after its release. Unlike the case with Ravage, either title would work. Actually, from dual ends of the protagonist’s experience and actions, they work in tandem to define the movie. Avenged only works one way, whereas Savaged works all ways and for all involved; it’s also more compelling and intriguing. (You’ll see what I mean, if you watch it.) In that sense, I actually prefer the original title. But, I digress…just a bit.
“I guess that’s what happens when you drag an angel into Hell. It becomes a demon.” ~ Creed
Avenged is a movie that defies its low-budget origins to be one that fans of the genre should enjoy. At 95 minutes, with its massive payoff and great, if not always realistic special effects, it’s hard not to like it. While you may not want to see it twice, you’ll likely enjoy it once…bare feet or not.
Rocket Rating – 6.5
Chris Rennirt (the author of this review) is a movie critic and writer in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as editor in chief at Space Jockey Reviews. He has been a judge at many film festivals, including Macabre Faire Film Festival and Crimson Screen Film Fest, and he attends horror and sci-fi conventions often. Chris’ movie reviews, articles, and interviews are published regularly on Space Jockey Reviews and in Effective Magazine. His mission statement (describing his goals as a movie critic and philosophy for review writing) can be found on the “Mission” page, here at SJR. For more information about Chris Rennirt (including contact details, publicity photos, and more), click here.
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