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Do Revenge
Release poster
Directed byJennifer Kaytin Robinson
Written by
  • Celeste Ballard
  • Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Produced by
  • Anthony Bregman
  • Peter Cron
  • Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Starring
CinematographyBrian Burgoyne
Edited by
  • David Clark
  • Lori Ball
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • September 16, 2022 (2022-09-16)
Running time
119 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10 million[2]

Do Revenge is a 2022 American teen black comedy film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Celeste Ballard. It stars Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke, Austin Abrams, Talia Ryder, Rish Shah, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, and it is loosely inspired by Patricia Highsmith's novel Strangers on a Train and Alfred Hitchcock's film adaptation of it (1951). It was released on Netflix on September 16, 2022, and received generally positive reviews from critics.

Robinson pays homage to several 1990s high school films and other teen classics such as Heathers (1989), Jawbreaker (1999), and Mean Girls (2004).[3][4]

Plot

[edit]

Drea is a popular student attending Rosehill Country Day High School, an elite private school in Miami, on a scholarship. A "conniving, selfish sociopath" who uses people to get what she wants, Drea later becomes a social outcast after an intimate video she sent to her equally popular boyfriend, Max, is leaked online. Max claims he was hacked, but Drea blames Max for the video's release and punches him in the face, ultimately leading to their break up, all of Drea's friends to abandon her, and destroying her reputation. As a result, the headmaster places her on behavioral probation and warns that if she has anymore problems with Max, she will remove her scholarship and expel Drea from Rosehill.

That summer, Drea works at a tennis camp where she meets Eleanor, a shy tomboy from a wealthy background who is transferring to Rosehill in September. Eleanor tells Drea about also becoming an outcast when a false rumor spread that she forcibly kissed Carissa, another Rosehill student, at a summer camp years earlier.

Upon seeing their tormentors thrive while they suffer in silence, Drea and Eleanor realize they will never get justice on their own and plan to exact revenge on each other's enemy: Drea on Carissa and Eleanor on Max. After a makeover, Eleanor slowly infiltrates Drea's old clique of popular students, while Drea tries to get close to Carissa by working at the school farm, also befriending Russ, a slightly introvert student and Carissa's friend.

Eleanor is invited to a party thrown by Max, where she discovers he is cheating on his new girlfriend, Tara – Drea's former best friend. Drea steals Carissa's keys to the farm's locked greenhouse, finding the marijuana plants and magic mushrooms that Carissa has been growing in secret and plot to drug everyone at the school's Senior Ring Ceremony.

During the Senior Ring Ceremony, Drea places the drugs from the greenhouse in the dinner so Eleanor can steal Max's phone to obtain evidence of his cheating ways and find Drea's leaked video. She anonymously tips off the headmaster about the greenhouse, getting Carissa expelled and sent to rehab. While searching through Max's texts messages, Drea and Eleanor find photos and messages from other girls at school stretching back years.

At the school's Valentine's Day assembly, Eleanor leaks Max's texts to the entire student body, but Max and Tara then pretend to be a polyamorous couple, which in turn becomes the school's latest trend. Drea is rejected from Yale, due to her declining grades and Max publishing a fabricated story about his and Drea's relationship (most likely containing false allegations about being the helpless victim of Drea assaulting him for supposedly leaking her video or lies about Drea being physically abusive towards him). Spiraling emotionally, she concocts a new plan to destroy all her popular former friends, in revenge for not helping when her video was leaked and get Max to admit that he leaked her video via, through video recording, at the upcoming Admissions Party, which can only be attended by those accepted by Ivy League schools.

Eleanor enjoys her new popularity and Drea's old friends, beginning a relationship with Max's twin sister Gabbi. When Max and his friends surprise Eleanor for her birthday, Drea crashes the party and nearly jeopardizes their revenge scheme. They fight about Eleanor befriending the popular group after they all abandoned and ostracized Drea before going their separate ways when Eleanor asserts that there is no evidence that Max leaked Drea's video. Gabbi overhears this conversation and breaks up with Eleanor for choosing Max over Drea.

Learning someone sabotaged her car at tennis camp, Drea, suspicious of Eleanor and seeking dirt on Eleanor, visits Carissa at the rehab facility. Carissa reveals that Eleanor is actually "Nosey" Nora Cutler, the girl at summer camp whom Drea spread the false rumor about and outed as a lesbian; an event she had selfishly forgotten, which prompted Eleanor to change her name and undergo a rhinoplasty. Drea confronts Eleanor, who reveals she had been playing her all along, aiming to cause the same pain she endured from the rumor. Eleanor threatens to frame Drea's mother, a nurse, for drug possession if she refuses to expose her old friends at the Admissions Party. Eleanor T-bones Drea's car, sending her to the hospital, to create a sob story that earns Drea access to the Admissions Party, and tells Russ about Drea's involvement in framing Carissa's for drug possession and Max's leaked text messages. Russ confronts Drea at the hospital and demands that she turns herself in. When Drea refuses, he calls her out for being selfish and ends their budding relationship.

During the party, Eleanor pressures Drea to take ketamine with Max and friends, but Drea reveals her true identity as "Nosey Nora" to the rest of the group, but immediately regrets it and apologizes to Eleanor, who in turn apologizes to her. Their emotional reconciliation is interrupted when Max appears, having learned of their plot against him. He plans to expose them and confesses to releasing Drea's video, as he found her selfish behavior a risk to his own sociopathy, unaware that Eleanor is secretly filming his confession. The girls quickly project his confession video at the party, turning everyone, including his friends, against Max, while Tara breaks up with him and his reputation is tarnished permanently. As a result, Max is expelled and his spot at Yale is offered to Drea, who rejects it. Opening themselves up towards a new beginning, Drea and Eleanor decide to skip graduation and drive off on the freeway, celebrating their victory.

During the credits sequence, Drea apologizes to Russ and they kiss, while Eleanor reconciles with Gabbi, and Max joins a support group to address his toxic masculinity.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development and casting

[edit]

On October 14, 2020, it was reported that Netflix was developing the film, then titled Strangers. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson co-wrote and directed the film, citing inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock's film Strangers on a Train (1951) and Taylor Swift's album Reputation (2017).[6][7] In November 2020, Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke were reported to star.[8] Additional cast members were announced in early 2021.[9][10][11]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography was scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in early 2021,[12][13] but was changed to Atlanta, Georgia, with the story taking place in Miami following a rewrite in order to accommodate Hawke's schedule, who was shooting Stranger Things, as director Robinson did not want to lose either of the main actresses.[14] Filming initially wrapped on August 7, 2021,[15] with later stages of production occurring in August 2022 in Miami, Florida.[16] Much of the filming took place at Oglethorpe University in suburban Atlanta.

Soundtrack

[edit]
Do Revenge soundtrack[17]
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."For the Girls"Hayley Kiyoko, Oliver Peterhof, Marcus Lomax, Michelle BuzzHayley Kiyoko2:38
2."Do You Know (What It Takes)"Robyn, Denniz Pop, Max Martin, Herbie CrichlowRobyn3:41
3."Cybah"Syd, Lucky Daye, Michael McGregor, Brandon ShoopSyd, Lucky Daye4:04
4."Brutal"Olivia Rodrigo, Dan NigroOlivia Rodrigo2:24
5."The Impression That I Get"Dicky Barrett, Joe GittlemanThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones3:15
6."How's It Going to Be"Kevin Cadogan, Stephan JenkinsThird Eye Blind4:13
7."I Eat Boys"chloe moriondo, David Pramik, Steph JonesChloe Moriondo2:43
8."Milionària"Rosalía, El GuinchoRosalía2:18
9."Celebrity Skin"Courtney Love, Eric Erlandson, Billy CorganHole2:43
10."Deceptacon"Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman, Sadie BenningLe Tigre3:05
11."Blondes"Anna Hartley, Blu DeTiger, Rex DeTiger, Eskeerdo, Teddy Geiger, Julian Bunetta, Scott Harris, Jenna AndrewsBlu DeTiger2:46
12."Move"Tobi, Jessica Lee Hansell, Robin Hannibal Mølsted Braun, Alex Goose, Jon Bap, Tyler Demorest, Tavon ThompsonTobi3:17
13."Dumb Dumb"Elie Rizk, MazieMazie2:05
14."So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings"Caroline Polachek, Teddy Geiger, Dan NigroCaroline Polachek3:04
15."Easy Going"Kacy Hill, Jim-E Stack, Ethan GruskaKacy Hill2:43
16."How Bizarre" (orchestral version)Alan Jansson, Pauly FuemanaThe Symphonic Pops3:47
17."Kids in America" (cover)Ricky Wilde, Marty WildeMaude Latour3:15
18."Pretend"Juliana Madrid, DJ Ben Roc, Simon Oscroft, Ross ClarkJuliana Madrid3:07
19."Flagpole Sitta"Aaron Huffman, Jeff J. Lin, Sean Nelson, Evan Sult,Harvey Danger3:37
20."Silk Chiffon"Naomi McPherson, Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, Ian Fitchuk, Daniel TashianMuna, Phoebe Bridgers3:27
21."Bitter Bitch"HelenHelen2:17
22."She's All I Wanna Be"Tate McRae, Greg KurstinTate McRae3:27
23."Shame Reactions"Shelby Keller, Mia BerrinPom Pom Squad1:33
24."Happier Than Ever"Billie Eilish, FinneasBillie Eilish4:59
25."Dead to Me"Chloe Adams, Matthew LonsdaleChloe Adams 
26."Praise You"Fatboy Slim, Camille YarbroughFatboy Slim5:23
27."Bitch"Meredith Brooks, Shelly PeikenMeredith Brooks, Maya Hawke (uncredited), Camila Mendes (uncredited)4:13
28."Dreams"Noel Hogan, Dolores O'RiordanThe Cranberries4:32

Release

[edit]

The film was released on Netflix on September 16, 2022.[18]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 86% of 84 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The website's consensus reads: "Do Revenge could have used a bit more bite, but Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes make this a sweet dish best served to viewers who understand that high school can be hell."[19] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 66 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[20]

Coleman Spilde of The Daily Beast called the film a "generation defining masterpiece", saying that "once a decade, there comes a high school comedy so stylish, so witty, and so instantly influential that it cannot be topped. Netflix's colorful new romp is that movie."; Spilde subtitled his review "Cruel Intentions", acknowledging the relationship to the 1999 film of that name and the presence of actress Sarah Michelle Gellar – who played the teen antagonist in that earlier film, tormenting the daughter of her school's headmaster, and appears as the headmaster in Do Revenge.[21] Amy Nicholson of The New York Times gave the film a B and described it as "a playful, sharp-fanged satire that feels like the '90s teen comedy hammered into modern emojis: crown, knife, fire, winky face."[22] Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com gave the film 3 out of 4 stars and said, "The film manages to blend all of its influences into a distinctive movie that is fully committed to its vision of high school as a handsomely costumed, art-directed snake pit filled with sadists who get off on other people's pain and embarrassment."[23]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Do Revenge

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Do Revenge is a 2022 American teen black comedy film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Celeste Ballard.[1] The story centers on two high school students—Drea, a popular girl seeking retribution after a betrayal, and Eleanor, an outsider targeted by a bully—who form an unlikely alliance at summer camp to swap revenge targets on each other's enemies, echoing the premise of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train.[2] Starring Camila Mendes as Drea and Maya Hawke as Eleanor, the film features supporting roles by Austin Abrams, Rish Shah, and Talia Ryder, with cameo appearances including Sophie Turner.[1] Released exclusively on Netflix on September 16, 2022, Do Revenge satirizes high school social hierarchies, privilege, and adolescent scheming through exaggerated teen archetypes and sharp dialogue.[3] It received generally positive reviews, earning an 86% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 83 reviews, with praise for its witty homage to 1990s teen comedies, the chemistry between the leads, and its playful deconstruction of mean-girl tropes.[4] Audience scores were more mixed, reflected in a 6.3 out of 10 rating on IMDb from over 55,000 users, citing entertainment value but occasional inconsistencies in tone.[1] As a streaming original, it lacked traditional box office metrics but contributed to Netflix's output of youth-oriented dark comedies.[5]

Synopsis

Plot Summary

Drea Torres, a popular student at Rosehill Country Day High School in Miami, attends the school on scholarship and leads a social clique including Tara, Meghan, Montana, and Elliot.[6] During a party she hosts, Drea rejects her boyfriend Max's idea for a Teen Vogue video and later sends him an intimate video, which he leaks online, causing her social downfall.[6] Confronting Max at school, Drea punches him and faces probation from the headmaster, while her friends abandon her and side with Max, who starts a men's club to shift blame.[6] At summer tennis camp, Drea encounters Eleanor Levetan, an unassuming new student who reveals that Erica, not Max directly, spread the video but was involved through Max.[6] Drea retaliates by planting cocaine in Erica's bag, leading to her expulsion.[6] Eleanor shares her own humiliation: years earlier, Carissa falsely accused her of assault after Eleanor witnessed Carissa's misdeed, ruining Eleanor's reputation and earning her the nickname "Nosey Nora."[6] Inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, Drea and Eleanor form a pact to execute each other's revenge: Eleanor will sabotage Max, while Drea targets Carissa.[4][6] Eleanor undergoes a makeover to infiltrate Max's circle, attending his parties and learning details like his sister Gabbi's involvement.[6] Drea joins Carissa's farm club, bonds somewhat with member Russ, steals keys to discover Carissa's drug stash, and spikes the Senior Ring Ceremony with hallucinogens, causing chaos that results in Carissa's expulsion.[6] The duo uncovers Max's cheating via his phone texts, which they expose at a school assembly, though Tara reframes it as an open relationship.[6] Drea's Yale application fails amid her declining grades and scandal.[6] Tensions rise as Eleanor dates Gabbi, and Drea discovers she herself originated the assault rumor about Eleanor at camp years prior.[6] Eleanor reveals her manipulation: she sabotaged Drea's car to initiate contact, recorded Max leaking the video, and planned to frame Drea or her mother for drugs at the upcoming Admissions Party.[6] At the party, Drea unmasks Eleanor as "Nosey Nora," leading to a confrontation where they fight but ultimately reconcile, acknowledging the revenge's toll.[6] Max confesses to the leak—prompted by Eleanor's recording—and his admission is broadcast, resulting in his expulsion and Tara's breakup with him.[6] Drea declines Yale, mends ties with Tara, and she and Eleanor solidify their friendship, with romantic pairings forming with Russ and Gabbi; Max attends a support group.[6]

Cast

Principal Cast

Camila Mendes stars as Drea Torres, an ambitious and popular senior at Rosehill Country Day School whose private sex tape is leaked by her boyfriend, prompting her alliance with Eleanor for revenge.[7] Mendes rose to prominence portraying Veronica Lodge in The CW's Riverdale from 2017 to 2023.[8] Maya Hawke portrays Eleanor Levetan, the introverted new transfer student harboring resentment toward a former camp counselor, who bonds with Drea over mutual schemes.[7] Hawke first gained widespread recognition for her role as Robin Buckley in the third season of Netflix's Stranger Things in 2019.[9] Austin Abrams plays Max Broussard, a privileged student and Eleanor's target in the revenge plot, depicted as wealthy and socially influential.[10] Abrams previously appeared as Ethan in HBO's Euphoria.[10] Rish Shah appears as Russ Dara (also known as Russ Lee), Drea's ex-boyfriend responsible for distributing her leaked video.[11] Shah had earlier roles in Disney+'s Ms. Marvel series in 2022.[12]

Supporting Cast

Talia Ryder appears as Gabbi Broussard, the younger sister of Max Broussard and a member of the school's queer community who develops a romantic interest in Eleanor.[13][3] Alisha Boe plays Tara, part of Drea's social circle at Rosehill Country School.[3] Ava Capri portrays Carissa Jones, another friend in Drea's group, contributing to the ensemble dynamics of teen social hierarchies.[3][14] Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as the Headmaster of Rosehill, serving as an authority figure who enforces disciplinary measures, including placing Drea on probation after an altercation.[15][16] Additional supporting roles include Jonathan Daviss as Elliot, a schoolmate involved in the revenge schemes, and Paris Berelc as Meghan, enhancing the film's portrayal of interpersonal alliances and betrayals.[17][3] The casting features diverse representations, such as Ryder's character in a same-sex relationship storyline, reflecting the film's inclusion of LGBTQ+ elements amid its ensemble of high school archetypes.[13][7]

Production

Development and Writing

Do Revenge originated as a Netflix original film project, initially titled Strangers, with development announced on October 14, 2020. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose feature directorial debut was the 2019 Netflix romantic comedy Someone Great, was brought on to direct and co-write the screenplay alongside Celeste Ballard. The script reimagines the revenge-swap premise from Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 film Strangers on a Train—itself adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel—transposing it into a contemporary American high school environment dominated by social media intrigue and elite adolescent social hierarchies.[18][19] Robinson's directorial vision emphasized subverting tropes from 1990s and early 2000s teen films, including Clueless, Cruel Intentions, Election, and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, while infusing the narrative with a campy, self-referential tone suited to Gen Z audiences. She incorporated elements like voice-over narration inspired by Election's multi-perspective style, added during post-production to enhance character depth, and drew on the visual flair of those earlier films to craft a "candy-coated" aesthetic of pastel uniforms and exaggerated couture that critiques performative social dynamics. The co-writers aimed to explore themes of female alliance against bullying and betrayal, grounding the revenge plot in realistic portrayals of teen ferocity and friendship forged through mutual vulnerability.[20][20] Pre-production centered on balancing homage with originality, creating a "sandbox" for Easter eggs referencing classic teen movie moments—such as wardrobe nods and plot twists—while updating the revenge trope to address modern issues like viral scandals and influencer culture without descending into didacticism. Robinson described the process as an opportunity to channel her affinity for the era's films into a fresh, vibrant satire that prioritizes fun and empowerment over moralizing.[20][21]

Casting Process

Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke were cast in the lead roles of Drea Torres and Eleanor Levetan, respectively, in 2020.[22] Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson emphasized the actors' talent and suitability for the revenge-driven protagonists, noting their embodiment of the characters enhanced the film's ensemble dynamic.[22] A significant challenge arose from scheduling conflicts, as delays in Stranger Things season 4 production risked Hawke's availability, potentially derailing the project and leading to the loss of Mendes as well.[22] To secure Hawke, Robinson relocated principal photography to Atlanta approximately one month before filming commenced, a decision she described as immediate and resolute despite initial emotional strain.[22] Sarah Michelle Gellar was selected for the headmistress role as Robinson's top preference, inspired by Gellar's commanding performance as Kathryn Merteuil in the 1999 film Cruel Intentions.[23] Gellar's involvement prompted script revisions, with Robinson adapting the character's dialogue to evoke a matured version of Merteuil, including advisory elements suited to a school authority figure.[23] This casting marked Gellar's return to a prominent teen-oriented comedy after an extended hiatus from such genres.[23] Austin Abrams was chosen to portray Max Broussard, Drea's duplicitous ex-boyfriend and a key antagonist, bringing a layered interpretation to the character's manipulative traits.[22]

Filming

Principal photography for Do Revenge commenced on June 11, 2021, and wrapped on August 7, 2021.[24] The production relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, from its originally planned Los Angeles base to accommodate actress Maya Hawke's scheduling constraints.[25] Although set in Miami, Florida, most filming occurred in Atlanta, with select exterior scenes captured in Miami Beach to depict the story's coastal elite environment.[26][27] Key interior and exterior sequences representing the fictional Rosehill Country Day academy—a stand-in for an affluent private high school—were shot on the campus of Oglethorpe University in Brookhaven, a suburb of Atlanta.[27] This liberal arts college's architecture and grounds provided the visual approximation of an exclusive preparatory institution without requiring custom set construction. Additional Atlanta-area sites simulated opulent private estates and urban backdrops central to the film's prank sequences and character confrontations.[28] Brian Burgoyne served as director of photography, overseeing the technical execution amid the heightened safety measures of mid-2021, when Georgia's film industry mandated frequent COVID-19 testing, masking for non-shooting personnel, and social distancing on set.[15] These protocols, aligned with industry-wide SAG-AFTRA guidelines, contributed to a compressed schedule focused on efficient location work rather than extensive interiors.[29] The production emphasized practical setups for physical comedy elements, such as the film's revenge pranks, minimizing reliance on post-production visual effects for core action beats.[30]

Music

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Do Revenge features a curated selection of approximately 25 licensed songs, blending '90s nostalgia with contemporary pop and indie tracks to underscore the film's themes of adolescent intrigue and empowerment.[31] Music supervisor Rob Lowry emphasized pop-punk elements and era-spanning hits to evoke the revenge-comedy's satirical tone, with licensing arrangements handled through major labels including Warner Music Group.[32] Tracks appear in narrative contexts like party montages and character-driven sequences, amplifying social dynamics and emotional beats without original compositions.[33] Key licensed songs and their integrations include:
  • "for the girls" by Hayley Kiyoko, opening the film to establish the protagonists' alliance.[34]
  • "Do You Know (What It Takes)" by Robyn, playing during a high-energy preparation scene for thematic irony.[35]
  • "brutal" by Olivia Rodrigo, featured in a revenge-planning montage to heighten tension.[36]
  • "She's All I Wanna Be" by Tate McRae, underscoring a party confrontation that highlights interpersonal betrayals.[34]
  • "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim, used in a comedic training sequence to contrast scheming with levity.[34]
  • "Silk Chiffon" by MUNA featuring Phoebe Bridgers, integrated into social gathering scenes evoking carefree rebellion.[37]
Netflix released an official playlist compiling these tracks on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music coinciding with the film's September 16, 2022, premiere, totaling around 27 songs for promotional immersion.[38] The selections prioritize 2010s–2020s releases alongside '90s staples for authenticity in depicting affluent teen life, avoiding over-reliance on period-specific music.[31]

Original Score

The original score for Do Revenge was composed by Este Haim, bassist and vocalist of the band HAIM, and Amanda Yamate.[39] Their contributions provided the film's instrumental underscore, distinct from the licensed popular songs integrated into the soundtrack.[34] The score features a bass line theme tailored to protagonists Drea (Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke), which plays during the film's concluding scenes to emphasize their alliance.[40] This thematic element draws on Haim's signature bass style, marking a debut scoring collaboration for the duo on a feature film.[41] No awards or nominations were received for the score.[42]

Release

Premiere and Distribution

Do Revenge had its premiere screening at the Netflix Tudum Theater in Hollywood, California, on September 14, 2022.[43] The event featured cast members including Maya Hawke, Camila Mendes, and Sophie Turner, marking the film's initial public rollout ahead of its streaming launch.[44] The film debuted on Netflix worldwide on September 16, 2022, employing a direct-to-streaming model without a traditional theatrical release.[4] [5] This approach aligned with Netflix's strategy for original productions, prioritizing broad digital accessibility over cinema distribution.[45] The simultaneous global rollout enabled availability in over 190 countries on launch day, including the United States, Argentina, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.[45] To facilitate international viewership, Netflix provided the film with subtitles and dubbed audio tracks in multiple languages, standard for its global content localization efforts.[2] This ensured accessibility for non-English-speaking audiences without delaying regional releases.[46]

Marketing and Promotion

Netflix released a teaser trailer for Do Revenge on August 4, 2022, followed by the official trailer on August 9, 2022, both emphasizing the film's stylistic homages to 1990s teen classics like Cruel Intentions and Clueless through visual cues and a revenge-comedy premise.[47][48][49] Promotion centered on Netflix's Tudum platform, which hosted cast interviews with leads Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke, director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's insights into '90s influences, and a curated '90s soundtrack playlist to evoke nostalgic teen aesthetics.[50][20][31] A premiere event occurred at the Netflix Tudum Theater in Hollywood on September 14, 2022, attended by the cast and featuring red-carpet appearances that highlighted the film's fashion-forward, retro-inspired looks.[43] Cast members participated in promotional interviews across media outlets, discussing the project's nods to iconic teen films and character dynamics without revealing plot details, aimed at engaging Gen-Z audiences familiar with similar streaming content.[51][11] Social media efforts included trailer shares on Netflix's YouTube and TikTok channels to build pre-release buzz among younger viewers.

Commercial Performance

Viewership Metrics

In its debut week ending September 18, 2022, Do Revenge amassed 26.67 million hours viewed globally on Netflix, marking a solid but not record-breaking launch for an original teen comedy.[52] This figure positioned it at the top of Netflix's weekly Top 10 English films list and number one in nearly every country tracked, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Brazil, outperforming competitors like Disney+'s Thor: Love and Thunder.[53][54] The film sustained momentum into its second week, rallying to lead broader U.S. streaming movie charts compiled by Whip Media for September 23–25, 2022, ahead of titles from other platforms.[55] Netflix's internal metrics, as reported, indicated continued strong performance driven by algorithmic recommendations favoring early high-engagement originals, though exact second-week hours were not publicly detailed beyond the initial surge.[52] By late 2023, cumulative post-launch hours viewed exceeded 29.8 million in tracked periods, reflecting modest long-tail viewing typical for genre films without franchise ties.[56] Compared to similar Netflix teen comedies like The Kissing Booth 3 (which debuted with over 30 million hours in 2021) or Tall Girl 2 (around 10 million in 2022), Do Revenge achieved competitive initial metrics but lagged behind established series-driven entries, underscoring the platform's preference for promoting content with viral social media traction over standalone releases.[52]

Reception

Critical Reviews

On Rotten Tomatoes, Do Revenge holds an 86% approval rating from 83 critics, with an average score of 7/10.[4] Metacritic assigns it a score of 66 out of 100 based on 17 reviews, indicating generally favorable reception.[57] Critics frequently praised the film's witty screenplay and the chemistry between leads Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes, viewing it as a successful subversion of teen comedy tropes through its homage to Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com awarded it three out of four stars, commending its balance of cruelty and remorse among characters, which elevates it beyond mere mean-spiritedness.[3] Polygon described it as "the Mean Girls successor we all needed," highlighting its sharp social satire on high school hierarchies.[58] Conversely, some reviewers criticized the film for underdeveloped characters and a predictable narrative arc that undermines its satirical intent. A Metacritic aggregation noted descriptions of it as a "muddled mix of '90s teen flicks" that feels lukewarm in execution despite its ambitions.[57] Others faulted it for glossing over the consequences of bullying and privilege, potentially normalizing vengeful cruelty without sufficient depth.[59] IndieWire, while positive overall, observed that its episodic structure resembles a compressed TV series, limiting narrative cohesion.[60]

Audience Response

On IMDb, Do Revenge holds a 6.3/10 rating based on 55,500 user votes, reflecting a generally middling reception among viewers who praised its nostalgic nods to 1990s and 2000s teen films like Mean Girls and Clueless, while criticizing elements such as a perceived weak final act and reliance on familiar tropes.[1] User reviews often highlight the film's "unhinged" humor and plot surprises as entertaining for casual viewing, though some describe it as dragging or failing to innovate beyond surface-level satire.[1] Rotten Tomatoes audience score stands at 77% from over 1,000 verified ratings, indicating stronger approval among fans of the genre who appreciate its frothy, revenge-driven energy and aesthetic appeal, tempered by complaints of shallow character development and the trivialization of issues like social activism.[4] The film resonates particularly with teen and young adult demographics, sparking online discussions about themes of female empowerment and queer subtext, though it has drawn backlash for commodifying progressive signaling—such as performative allyship on topics like climate change—without deeper engagement, which some viewers interpret as cynical Gen Z-era posturing rather than substantive critique.[61][62] Forums like Reddit exhibit polarization, with threads lauding the movie's campy vibes and dramatic turns as a modern successor to Heathers, while others express disappointment over unmet expectations for sharper comedy or originality, leading to debates on its "vibes" versus narrative flaws.[63] Fan engagement persists through memes riffing on cameos (e.g., Sophie Turner's foul-mouthed scene) and Easter eggs referencing classic teen cinema, alongside theories dissecting mid-film twists and character motivations, which have fueled rewatches and TikTok edits even years post-release.[64][65] This sustained discourse underscores its cult-like draw for niche audiences seeking escapist, trope-heavy entertainment amid broader indifference.

Accolades and Nominations

Do Revenge garnered modest recognition in awards circuits focused on streaming content and LGBTQ+ representation. The film received a nomination for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV at the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, held in 2023, acknowledging its portrayal of queer themes and ensemble cast including Maya Hawke, Alisha Boe, Austin Abrams, Paris Berelc, Camila Mendes, and others.[66][42] At the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke were nominated in the Best Duo category for their performances as the leads plotting revenge, though the award went to Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us.[67][42] In music supervision, the film won the Guild of Music Supervisors (GMS) Award for Best Music Supervision for a Non-Theatrically Released Film in 2023, recognizing the integration of its soundtrack in a streaming original.[42] The production also qualified for the ReFrame Stamp, a certification for gender-balanced hiring in front of and behind the camera, but this is not a competitive award.[42] No nominations or wins were recorded in major ceremonies such as the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, or Teen Choice Awards.

Themes and Analysis

Core Themes

The narrative revolves around a mutual revenge pact between protagonists Drea, a scholarship student navigating elite social circles, and Eleanor, a newcomer from a privileged background, who agree to target each other's tormentors in acts of calculated vigilantism.[3][68] This mechanic emphasizes orchestrated humiliations, often leveraging social media dissemination, such as leaked videos and rumors, to dismantle reputations within the high school ecosystem.[69][70] High school hierarchy emerges as a persistent motif, portrayed through the stratified dynamics of an affluent private academy where access to popularity correlates with familial wealth, inherited status, and performative social maneuvers.[71][72] Privilege disparities highlight contrasts between economically advantaged students who wield unaccountable influence and those reliant on merit or external alliances to ascend social ladders.[73][61] Female friendship underscores the evolving alliance between the leads, marked by initial instrumental cooperation that navigates layers of personal betrayal from peers and romantic interests.[74][75] Queer identity recurs through Eleanor's storyline, involving involuntary outing and false predator accusations, alongside explorations of allyship in interpersonal and institutional contexts.[76][60] Satirical elements target elite cultural norms, including superficial displays of social consciousness and the advantages conferred by class and gender in patriarchal structures, where male characters evade consequences for exploitative behaviors.[77][61][70]

Interpretations and Critiques

Do Revenge has been interpreted as a feminist reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, transposing its cross-purpose revenge pact into a contemporary high school setting dominated by social media and performative identities, thereby empowering female protagonists in a genre historically centered on male antiheroes.[60] Critics note that the film critiques toxic masculinity and consent violations through Drea's humiliation via leaked video and Eleanor's outing, positioning the duo's vigilantism as a response to institutional failures in addressing adolescent power imbalances.[60] However, this empowerment is tempered by the narrative's depiction of revenge's inherent risks, including collateral damage to bystanders like Carissa, underscoring a causal chain where personal vendettas escalate interpersonal fractures rather than resolving underlying injustices.[61] Detractors argue that the film risks glamorizing unaccountable cruelty by framing vigilantism as cathartic, despite showing fractured alliances and unintended harms, potentially modeling escalatory behavior over reliance on legal or institutional recourse, which in reality perpetuates cycles of retaliation without sustainable resolution.[61] [78] Ethical concerns extend to character portrayals, such as the antagonist Max Broussard, whose manipulative traits and lack of remorse are subtly linked to Jewish stereotypes via symbols like a Magen David necklace and Yiddish phrases, evoking critiques of antisemitic tropes in media narratives of villainy.[79] [80] While the film avoids outright endorsement of impunity—evidenced by the characters' tangible fallout—it falters in probing deeper causal realism, prioritizing stylistic homage over rigorous examination of revenge's long-term societal costs, such as eroded trust and normalized extrajudicial actions.[61] The film's handling of "wokeness" draws mixed analysis, praised for satirizing shallow allyship and identity-based virtue signaling—exemplified by Max's exploitative "woke bro" persona used for social dominance—yet criticized for commodifying progressive rhetoric without substantive depth or systemic critique, reducing complex intersections of race, class, and sexuality to plot devices for individual gain.[61] [60] This approach highlights divisive "justice" pursuits that fracture potential solidarity, as Drea and Eleanor's pact devolves into mutual betrayal, reflecting real-world pitfalls of prioritizing performative equity over accountable reform.[61] Overall, while technically adroit in refreshing teen tropes, Do Revenge is seen as ethically superficial, favoring fantasy fulfillment over first-principles scrutiny of vengeance's futility against entrenched power structures.[78]

Cultural Impact

Do Revenge generated discussions among film enthusiasts and online communities regarding the evolution of teen revenge narratives, often positioning it as a satirical update to 1990s and early 2000s classics like Strangers on a Train and Mean Girls.[81][82] Platforms such as TikTok and Reddit amplified its visibility through user-generated content analyzing tropes like makeovers, betrayals, and performative social climbing in the context of Gen Z social media dynamics.[83][81] The film has not led to announced sequels or direct adaptations as of 2025, with director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson focusing on unrelated projects like the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot.[84][85] It persists as a reference point for 2020s streaming efforts to remix Hitchcockian suspense with youth-oriented black comedy, influencing minor stylistic echoes in Netflix's subsequent teen content amid broader Gen Z fandom trends driven by its cast's social media presence.[86][87] Critiques from outlets examining cultural commodification highlighted the film's portrayal of performative activism and revenge as reflective of social media-driven moral posturing, though empirical links to sustained anti-social behavior trends remain unestablished beyond anecdotal online commentary.[61] Viewership sustained over weeks, correlating with spikes in social media engagement tied to stars like Maya Hawke, rather than transformative broader impacts.[88][89]

References

  1. Do Revenge (2022) - IMDb
  2. Watch Do Revenge | Netflix Official Site
  3. Do Revenge movie review & film summary (2022) | Roger Ebert
  4. Do Revenge | Rotten Tomatoes
  5. Do Revenge (2022) - Box Office and Financial Information
  6. DO REVENGE - The Movie Spoiler
  7. Do Revenge Cast & Character Guide - Screen Rant
  8. Netflix's Do Revenge stars Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes on ...
  9. Where You've Seen the Cast of Netflix's Do Revenge Before - E! News
  10. Do Revenge Star Austin Abrams on Change of Pace From Euphoria
  11. Get Destroyed by the Conniving Cast of 'Do Revenge ' - Netflix
  12. Rish Shah - IMDb
  13. Meet The 'Do Revenge' Cast and Characters - Newsweek
  14. Do Revenge | Netflix Wiki | Fandom
  15. Do Revenge (2022) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
  16. Know the Cast & Characters: 'Do Revenge'
  17. Do Revenge (2022) Cast and Crew - Cast Photos and Info | Fandango
  18. Do Revenge Facts You Need To Know About Netflix's Y2K Hit
  19. Netflix's 'Do Revenge' Takes Inspiration From a Book by a Nazi ...
  20. 'Do Revenge' Is Paging Disciples of the '90s Teen Movie - Netflix
  21. Do Revenge Director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson Makes Campy Teen ...
  22. Do Revenge Director Moved Production to Keep Maya Hawke in Cast
  23. Do Revenge: Sarah Michelle Gellar Casting Is 'Cruel Intentions ...
  24. Do Revenge (2022) - Filming & production - IMDb
  25. Attention to Detail Is the Secret to Success in Netflix's Do Revenge
  26. Where Was "Do Revenge" Filmed? Do Revenge Filming Locations
  27. Where was Do Revenge filmed? The school, the house & all the ...
  28. Do Revenge: Filming locations of the new Netflix teen movie - The Tab
  29. TV/Theatrical COVID-19 Safety Protocols - SAG-AFTRA
  30. Netflix's Do Revenge: Where Was the Movie Filmed?
  31. 'Do Revenge' Soundtrack '90s Playlist - Netflix Tudum
  32. Do Revenge (2022) - Soundtracks - IMDb
  33. The Creative Minds Behind Netflix's 'Do Revenge' Reveal How Its ...
  34. 'Do Revenge' Soundtrack: Every Song Featured - What's on Netflix
  35. 'Do Revenge' soundtrack: every song in the Netflix teen movie - NME
  36. Do Revenge Soundtrack: Every Song in the 2022 Netflix Movie
  37. Here Are All the Songs in 'Do Revenge' - TheWrap
  38. Do Revenge by Netflix - Apple Music
  39. Este Haim & Amanda Yamate Scoring Jennifer Kaytin Robinson's ...
  40. Do Revenge Soundtrack Behind The Scenes Facts - BuzzFeed
  41. Do Revenge Behind The Scenes With Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
  42. Do Revenge (2022) - Awards - IMDb
  43. The Revengers Assembled for the 'Do Revenge' Premiere - Netflix
  44. Sophie Turner Wears Custom Louis Vuitton Dress for 'Do Revenge'
  45. Do Revenge (2022) - Release info - IMDb
  46. Do Revenge (2022) Subtitles - SUBDL
  47. Do Revenge | Official Teaser | Netflix - YouTube
  48. The Girlies Are Ready to 'Do Revenge' in New Trailer - Netflix
  49. 10+ Great Teen Movie References In Netflix's Do Revenge
  50. Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes Are the Real Love Story in 'Do ...
  51. DO REVENGE Hilarious Interview | Camila Mendes and ... - YouTube
  52. Netflix Ratings: 'Dahmer' Nabs Huge Debut As 'Do Revenge' Rallies ...
  53. Netflix's latest original movie Do Revenge tops streaming chart in ...
  54. Netflix Top 10 Report: 'Do Revenge', 'Fate: The Winx Saga' and ...
  55. Netflix's 'Do Revenge' Tops Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Movies Chart
  56. Do Revenge Hours Viewed - FlixPatrol
  57. Do Revenge Reviews - Metacritic
  58. Do Revenge critics reviews: Positive critical response for Netflix film
  59. Do Revenge critic reviews - Metacritic
  60. 'Do Revenge' [Netflix] Review: Maya Hawke Rages in Dark Teen ...
  61. Do Revenge and the Commodification of Wokeness
  62. Do Revenge Review - CXO Media
  63. Unofficial Discussion - Do Revenge[SPOILERS] : r/movies - Reddit
  64. Reactions To Sophie Turner In Do Revenge - BuzzFeed
  65. #dorevenge | TikTok
  66. The Nominees for the 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards
  67. 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards Winners: See The Full List
  68. 'Do Revenge' Review: Strangers on a Text Chain
  69. Do Revenge - Dinner and a Movie
  70. “Do Revenge”: A movie heightened with friendship, bold imagery ...
  71. Film Review: “Do Revenge” - The Winonan
  72. 'Do Revenge': an homage to the enraged teenage girl - Campus Times
  73. Have film and TV got Gen Z all wrong? - BBC
  74. “Do Revenge” is an agile mash up of “Mean Girls” and “Cruel ...
  75. Do Revenge Review: A Glittery “Good for Her” Thriller
  76. Do Revenge — queer review - Mer - Medium
  77. Netflix's “Do Revenge” Subverts the Teen Dramedy Canon to Create ...
  78. 'Do Revenge' Gets Wrong What the Best Teen Movies Get Right
  79. The Subtle Antisemitism of "Do Revenge" - Jewish Women's Archive
  80. Let's Talk About That Jewish Villain in 'Do Revenge' - Hey Alma
  81. Netflix's Do Revenge is the caustic Mean Girls successor we all ...
  82. Do Revenge REVIEW - Lots of Mayhem & Mischief - Cultured Vultures
  83. Payback time with Do Revenge, high school movie tropes and our ...
  84. Will there be a Do Revenge 2? Here's what we know about a sequel:
  85. Do Revenge 2: The Sequel Is Still Not Confirmed in 2024
  86. How “Do Revenge” Shows Remix Culture Done Right - Brittany Berger
  87. WBP x eOne: How Gen Z Fandoms Are Driving Global ...
  88. Do Social Media Followers Equal Box Office Success?
  89. Maya Hawke Details How An Actor's Social Media Has Shockingly ...
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