Revanche

Critics Consensus

With Revanche, Götz Spielmann has crafted a debut as surprising as it is suspenseful.

96%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 82

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,736

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Movie Info

A happily married couple becomes unlikely friends with a man whose life has been marked by chaos and violence in this drama from Austria. Alex (Johannes Krisch) is a small-time criminal who, after a stretch in prison, finds himself working for Konecny (Hanno Pöschl), who runs a grimy house of prostitution; unknown to Konecny, Alex is also involved with Tamara (Irina Potapenko), one of his whores. Wanting to raise some quick cash, Alex robs a bank in a nearby small town and hides out on a farm owned by his grandfather (Hannes Thanheiser) while he waits for the heat to cool down. Alex tries to keep a low profile in the country, and he's troubled by boredom and despair, but his mood brightens when he strikes up a friendship with Susanne (Ursula Strauss), a cheerful and generous woman who lives nearby. But Alex's new friend happens to be married to Robert (Andreas Lust), a member of the local police force. Revanche was screened as an official entry at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival.

Cast

Johannes Krisch
as Alex
Irina Potapenko
as Tamara
Ursula Strauss
as Susanne
Andreas Lust
as Robert
Hannes Thanheiser
as Grandfather
Hanno Pöschl
as Konecny
Johannes Thanheiser
as Grandfather Hausner
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Critic Reviews for Revanche

All Critics (82) | Top Critics (28)

View All Critic Reviews (82)

Audience Reviews for Revanche

  • Apr 20, 2014
    A gorgeous, sentimental, and somewhat existentialist drama about revenge, forgiveness, love, and devotion. Shot in mostly long, static shots without any musical score, Revanche is a film that will absorb and envelope you into its world, staying with you long after the credits have rolled.
    Edward B Super Reviewer
  • Apr 03, 2012
    Excellent film, the only thing out place is the amount of breasts shown. It wasn't off-putting, but I question if it was there for shock value or if it had some symbolic/expositional purpose. Other than that, everything else is truly well done. The script is great and halfway through the film I wondered if it was too theatrical/outlandish. But Spielmann's execution and pacing makes it all work amazingly well. The performances are also great in the film, Krisch is phenomenal as Alex. This is one of the best recently released films that I've seen.
    G S Super Reviewer
  • Aug 11, 2011
    This film starts out with a pretty interesting story and then just takes such a sharp turn. Every character has a problem, every character is well developed. This movie had me caring deeply for three people at once, which is something I can say I rarely feel in movies. In fact, by the end of the movie I felt that I went on the same emotional journey that Alex did. That's how good of a story Revanche tells.
    Alex M Super Reviewer
  • May 19, 2011
    Artfully directed and brilliantly acted, this is an amazing debut for Spielmann! Revanche shows people in realistic problems and circumstances and how they deal with and overcome them. The countryside is beautiful and has a stark contrast to that of the city. It's as if the nature and beauty observed represents the peace that Alex finally gains when he comes to terms with everything that has happened. We are left hopeful at the end of such a painful and hard journey. Highly Recommended!
    Chris B Super Reviewer
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