Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes share a screen in this new comedy drama
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
You ever feel like a film was made for you? Well, that’s how I felt this weekend when I watched Netflix’s new comedy film, Do Revenge – and from the praise it’s already received, I know I’m not alone. The film stars Stranger Thing’s Maya Hawke and Riverdale’s Camila Mendes as its leading roles and their chemistry was off the charts (I spent the entire first act internally screaming “kiss already”). I mean it, they need to share a screen again. And of course, we have to talk about the soundtrack – and yes, I’ve had on repeat at work all day – which features Hayley Kiyoko’s For The Girls and Syd’s CYBAH. The queer AF film oozes with 90s nostalgia and gives nods to Clueless, She’s All That, Heathers and more as well as a cameo from Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Now let’s talk about the plot. Camila plays Drea a “poor” kid, who’s worked her way up through the ranks of the power dynamics that exist in an American high school (at least on film). She’s got it all, popularity, the looks and her future seems set on attending an Ivy League school. That is until her video sexts are spread around the school by her boyfriend Max (Austin Abrams, Euphoria). In comes Eleanor, portrayed by Maya, a lesbian transfer student who’s still livid that a former classmate spread a rumour that ruined her life. The duo team up on their revenge quests and what follows is a hilarious and thrilling wild ride of female and queer rage filled with glamorous wardrobe changes and a quintessential make over transformation.
One of the things I loved most about this film was how it didn’t make fun of the films within the genre that came before. It’s equally as ridiculous while also using satire to comment on some of the much loved tropes in coming-of-age teen comedy-dramas. In the makeover scene (“It’s so problematic… but it’s so much fun”) and where Eleanor ponders why the hell she did an outfit change post-car crash.
While at first the outcome seems predictable, but rest assured things soon twist and turn in this Strangers Of A Train style plot. By the end I was immediately planning my next re-watch of my new fave queer film.
Here’s what people are saying about Do Revenge
sometimes the friendship between a mean lesbian and a lonely IT girl can be so personal #DoRevenge pic.twitter.com/2bwnYNwsmn
— oli | moss in 5 days (@ringofkeyz) September 16, 2022
this is the joker but for queer people #DoRevenge pic.twitter.com/KcqCVphNeG
— ad 🎱 (@Iedtasso) September 16, 2022
do revenge is breathtaking. absolutely a powerhouse. only criticism is drea and eleanor should have kissed.
— mina, (@corrodedsteve) September 16, 2022
can we talk abt talia ryder in #DoRevenge pic.twitter.com/kdqqaTQgve
— ÷ (@oblivionwith) September 16, 2022
Do Revenge is an immediate masterpiece. An essential addition to teen movie canon that manages to pay homage to its roots while being fresh, feminist & fucking funny. Stylistically subversive, it’s a nuanced dissection of female rage with top tier performances. Genuinely obsessed pic.twitter.com/RYiS6r6ZdZ
— Maria Lewis (@moviemazz) September 16, 2022
me watching do revenge pic.twitter.com/VMGtPmRAJd
— juliette’s fang 🧛♀️ (@juliettesfang) September 17, 2022
DIVA magazine celebrates 28 years in print in 2022. If you like what we do, then get behind
LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
✨linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine ✨
