Vindicta (2023) – Review and Summary
“Vindicta” is a Latin term that refers to “just revenge,” yet after watching “Vindicta,” viewers might want to enact their own justified revenge on the filmmakers.
“Vindicta” General Information
| Director | Sean McNamara |
| Screenplay By | Steven Paul and Ian Neligh |
| Based On | N/A |
| Date Released (In Theaters, Video On Demand) | October 6, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | HorrorThriller |
| Film Length | 1 hour, 23 minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Patrick | Jeremy Piven |
| Lou | Elena Kampouris |
| Rick | Sean Astin |
| Russo | Travis Nelson |
Content Rating Explanation
“Vindicta” is rated R due to graphic violence, profanity, and some drug use.
Film Summary
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“Vindicta” is a Latin term that refers to “just revenge,” yet after watching “Vindicta,” viewers might want to enact their own justified revenge on the filmmakers. This mercifully brief horror movie is mercilessly dumb when it comes to the mystery at the center of its plot.
“Vindicta” primarily follows Lou (Elena Kampouris), a fresh-faced paramedic who is eager to prove she’s capable of doing the job. While her retired police dad, Patrick (Jeremy Piven), supports her, Lou’s actual boss, Rick (Sean Astin), is more skeptical of Lou succeeding under pressure. To make matters worse, Lou is becoming a paramedic when her city is being overrun by mob rule and violence due to the widespread belief in police corruption. And the cherry on top? There’s a killer on the loose.
Lou’s first encounter with the killer’s work is when she sees a local reporter tied up and hanging in an alleyway with a medieval weapon shoved down her mouth. The image is grotesque and seems intentionally and comically over-the-top. The murder is accompanied by a phrase in Latin. Russo (Travis Nelson), the detective on the case, remarks that he keeps seeing these phrases all over. But the heck of it is, he can’t figure out what these phrases mean! Google must not be available. But luckily for Russo, Lou majored in Latin and knows exactly what it means.
The killer, disguised by wearing the face of Michelangelo’s David (don’t question how this works), is leaving a trail of bodies and Latin phrases all over town. Russo and Lou team up to uncover who the killer is and what he wants, but the killer’s ties are closer to Lou than she could ever imagine.
The action and kills come fast in “Vindicta.” The movie wastes no time in setting up its premise and characters with skillful precision, and the cast is likable enough to keep the movie afloat. Where “Vindicta” falls apart is as a mystery and keeping its killer, “David,” as an uncatchable ghost. In order to follow the plot, you really need to put your brain aside.
Other Noteworthy Information
- Director Sean McNamara directs at least two movies a year.
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Patrick
A retired cop whose daughter is now a firefighter. Patrick is a well-celebrated officer, but he may know more about the serial killer than he initially thought.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Entourage,” their role in “Serendipity,” and their role in “Mr. Selfridge.”
Lou
Lou is Patrick’s daughter and a rookie paramedic eager to prove that she can handle and care for anyone in an emergency. She proves crucial to solving who a serial killer is when she speaks Latin.
- The actor is also known for their role in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” their role in “Men, Women, and Children” and their role in “Jupiter’s Legacy.”
Rick
A chief paramedic who is seasoned and hardened by his job. He’s skeptical about whether Lou can handle the pressure and responsibilities of the position.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Goonies,” their role in “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and their role in “Stranger Things.”
Russo
A detective who does not solve a single crime or mystery in this movie, but hey, he has a gun!
Review
Our Rating: Negative (Acquired Taste)
Low Points
A Mystery with Too Many Plotholes
The moment you see the killer “David” in his mask, you’ll wonder, “How does he see out of this thing?” Is it a mask or an actual statue head? How does he disappear when Lou and Russo look right at him? How come Russo didn’t think to look up any of these Latin phrases? “Vindicta” requires you to not ask questions, but that takes away the joy of the mystery. By trying to make David into an unkillable phantom, they insult the characters’ and viewers’ intelligence.
Kill Thee? We Hardly Knew Thee
“Vindicta” develops the rhythm of introducing a new character and killing them within a few minutes. The characters that last longer are there for exposition until they die too. The structure upholds tradition in slasher movies, but we feel nothing for those who die. No remorse, no pleasure; bodies come and go with indifference.
On The Fence
Comical Murders
The killings in “Vindicta” are bloody, sometimes explosive. We see decapitations, burnt bodies, impalings, and more with a theatrical flourish. The potential issue here is that the murders are in stark contrast to the story the movie is trying to tell about corruption. “Vindicta” is not campy in dialogue, lighting, or tone, but the effects and make-up team clearly had a fun time. Yet due to this contrast, “Vindicta” often feels like two different movies.
Who Is This For?
Fans of gory horror or quick mysteries may enjoy “Vindicta.”
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