Olivia Wilde kicks ass in this movie. Plain and Simple. She does such a fantastic job; in fact, through this film she really changed my perception of her as an actress. I'm so used to seeing her in Rom-Coms, that at first, it seemed strange to me to see her in this serious dramatic role. She plays a hardened domestic abuse victim who has suffered tremendous loss and has swore to support other victims by any means necessary. She's sort of like The Punisher or The Equalizer, but without the cartoony super skills. She's not a living weapon with super fast reactions or Bruce Lee martial arts skills. If she punches something, she might break her knuckles. She bleeds. She feels pain. She's not impervious to anything, but she is determined in her mission. Overall the story is great. No complaints whatsoever. The violence is REALISTIC....for the most part. Except for that one part with the razor. You'll know what I'm talking about if you've seen it. I never felt lost or confused. Her character is so well-developed that she just strikes a chord with the viewers. In this day and age, her story is relatable. It's real life. People are actually living like this and experiencing these things. Her weakness is that her heart is too big. She doesn't want others to suffer like she has, and she goes to great lengths to relieve them of their pain sometimes to her own detriment. While her crusade is a noble one, she seeks to resolve her own issues by zeroing in on the source of her suffering and achieving her own brand of closure. In this regard, the film is both inspiring and utterly tragic and sad. There is no good to come out of the film. It's not an uplifting or inspiring tale but rather a study of the gross reality of domestic violence and its consequences on all those involved: the perpetrators, the victims, and their families.
You're not going to come out of this film throwing your fist into the air, and feeling triumphant. This isn't that kind of film. However, it's a very important story to tell, because it casts light on the suffering that we often overlook or ignore in this world. So if you're looking for a superhero-like revenge thriller, go watch something else. If you want a realistic character driven drama about the devastating consequences of domestic violence, a gritty slice of reality, consider watching A Vigilante.
You're not going to come out of this film throwing your fist into the air, and feeling triumphant. This isn't that kind of film. However, it's a very important story to tell, because it casts light on the suffering that we often overlook or ignore in this world. So if you're looking for a superhero-like revenge thriller, go watch something else. If you want a realistic character driven drama about the devastating consequences of domestic violence, a gritty slice of reality, consider watching A Vigilante.