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Prevenge, released in 2016, is a dark comedy horror film directed, written, and starring Alice Lowe. The film follows Ruth, a pregnant woman who is having delusions of hearing her unborn child's voice urging her to avenge the death of her late husband. As Ruth goes on a killing spree, she also faces her inner demons and the fears of motherhood.

The film opens with a scene where Ruth is crying and laughing with a bloody knife in her hand. Then the narrative goes back in time to show how Ruth became a killer. As a pregnant woman, Ruth visits a midwife who notices that Ruth's baby is in control and puts her in touch with a sinister doctor who prescribes Ruth with unconventional practices to connect with her unborn child. The communication soon becomes a one-way street, as Ruth starts to realize that her baby wants her to kill the people responsible for her husband's death.

The film's dark themes are apparent throughout the narrative, exploring Ruth's psychological trauma and grief. Ruth's husband had been killed in a climbing accident, and we see Ruth's flashbacks and her conversations with him in her imagination. These scenes are poignant and add an emotional depth to the character. The death of her husband has left Ruth feeling isolated and disconnected from the world, and her unborn child is the only thing that brings meaning to her life. Ruth feels like she has to answer to the voices in her head and commit these acts of violence, though it's clear she isn't completely in control.

Prevenge is a feminist movie, with Ruth as the protagonist taking control of her life and exacting revenge. The movie also deals with the fear of motherhood and the challenges that come with being a parent. Ruth questions if she is capable of loving her child or nurturing it, and how the child's command over her is detrimental to her own desires.

The movie's comedic elements, however, prevent it from being solely a dark drama film. Moments of humor are shown throughout the narrative, and most of this humor is dark and irreverent. Some of the funniest moments come from Ruth's victims, who are chosen for their various reasons. The deaths are also quite creative and clever—none of them are done in a standard horror-movie way.

Alice Lowe gives an excellent performance as Ruth, toggling between the character's emotional vulnerability and unhinged behavior. Her nuanced performance adds complexity to a character that could have easily become a caricature. The supporting cast members also do an admirable job, with Dan Renton Skinner and Jo Hartley playing characters who are difficult to like, but who are important to Ruth's story.

Prevenge's cinematography and editing are exceptional, evoking the sinister atmosphere of the plot. Despite the low budget of the movie, the film looks great. The opening and closing credits are beautiful, and the filmmaker's skewed interpretation of reality is effectively conveyed through Ruth's psychosis.

In the end, Prevenge is an accomplished film, deftly balancing comedy, horror, and drama while delving into themes of grief, motherhood, and female empowerment. Fans of Alice Lowe's previous work (such as Sightseers) and of dark comedies in general should enjoy this film. Prevenge is a must-see movie for those seeking something different from the standard horror film. It's a thought-provoking and original take on the genre that will leave you satisfied and disturbed long after the credits roll.

Prevenge is a 2017 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 71.