Watch Vengeance: A Love Story

Vengeance: A Love Story is a 2017 American thriller movie, based on the novel Rape: A Love Story by Joyce Carol Oates. The film features Nicolas Cage as Detective John Dromoor, Anna Hutchison as Teena Maguire, and Talitha Eliana Bateman as her daughter, Bethie Maguire. The movie revolves around a brutal crime that takes place during the Labor Day weekend. Single mother Teena and her daughter Bethie are raped and left for dead by a group of drunken men. When Detective Dromoor arrives at the scene, he finds Bethie clinging to her mother's lifeless body. The main suspects of the crime, including a wealthy young man, are arrested and taken to court, but they plead not guilty due to their influential status and connections.

As the trial progresses, it becomes evident that justice won't be served, and the criminals might walk free. Detective Dromoor, who is still haunted by the unsolved cases of his past, takes matters into his own hands, opting for vigilante justice to avenge Teena's brutal rape and murder.

What follows is a thrilling and suspenseful ride, as Detective Dromoor goes on a rampage to bring the rapists to justice. He faces his own demons and struggles with his moral values as he tries to protect Bethie from any harm. His journey of vengeance takes him to dangerous territories, where he not only faces the wrath of the rapists but also the possibility that his actions might lead to dire consequences.

Nicolas Cage delivers a powerful performance as the flawed yet dedicated detective, who leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of justice. His character is nuanced, and his acting is impressive, as he portrays the internal conflict between his duty as a law enforcement officer and his need to avenge Teena and Bethie's terrible fate.

Anna Hutchison also shines in her role as the victimized Teena, who is shown to be a fighter, despite being a single mom trying to raise her child in harsh conditions. The mother-daughter duo's emotional bond and the aftermath of the crime on Bethie's life are depicted convincingly by Talitha Eliana Bateman, who delivers a notable performance.

The film's direction by Johnny Martin is taut, and the screenplay by John Mankiewicz is gripping and intense. The use of flashbacks to show the rape incident and its impact on the victims is adeptly handled, and the film avoids graphic violence, choosing to focus more on the emotional trauma of the characters.

Vengeance: A Love Story deals with a sensitive and disturbing subject matter, but it is a movie that chooses to show the strength of victims and their loved ones rather than their weakness. It raises questions about the flaws of the justice system and the effectiveness of laws in protecting the vulnerable.

Overall, Vengeance: A Love Story is a thrilling ride that is sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It is a movie that entertains, but also brings to light the issue of sexual violence and the need for a more effective justice system.

Vengeance: A Love Story is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.