What Does Revenge Arc Mean?
A revenge arc refers to a narrative structure or character journey centered around the theme of vengeance. In this type of arc, the protagonist (or another central character) is driven by the desire to avenge a wrong that has been done to them, their loved ones, or something they deeply care about.
Revenge arcs are common in literature, film, and television because they tap into powerful emotions like anger, justice, and redemption.
Revenge Arc Story Structure
These are the main beats in a screenplay with a revenge arc.
The Catalyst
- The story often begins with a traumatic or unjust event that sets the protagonist on their path of vengeance.
- Examples: The murder of a loved one, betrayal by a trusted ally, or the loss of something irreplaceable.
The Transformation
- The protagonist typically changes as they pursue their goal. This transformation might involve:
- Becoming more ruthless and focused.
- Wrestling with moral dilemmas about whether revenge is worth the cost.
The Pursuit
- The majority of the arc is devoted to the protagonist tracking down the person or entity responsible for the wrong and preparing to exact revenge.
- This phase often includes obstacles, such as allies warning them against their path, or the antagonist trying to stay ahead of them.
The Climax
- The moment of confrontation, where the protagonist either exacts their revenge or faces a critical choice about whether to follow through.
The Aftermath
- The resolution explores the emotional and moral consequences of the revenge.
- Common outcomes include catharsis, regret, or the realization that vengeance didn’t bring the peace they hoped for.
Why Revenge Arcs Work
- Emotional Resonance: Audiences can easily connect with the desire for justice or closure after a significant wrong.
- Moral Complexity: Revenge arcs often explore themes of justice versus vengeance, making them morally engaging.
- Tension and Suspense: The pursuit of revenge creates natural stakes and conflict.
Themes Explored in Revenge Arcs
- Justice vs. Revenge: Is vengeance justified, or does it perpetuate a cycle of violence?
- Personal Sacrifice: What does the protagonist lose in their pursuit of revenge?
- Identity: How does the quest for revenge redefine the protagonist’s sense of self?
- Moral Ambiguity: Does the protagonist become as monstrous as the person they’re avenging themselves against?
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50 Examples of Revenge Arc Movies
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
- The Revenant (2015)
- Gladiator (2000)
- John Wick (2014)
- Oldboy (2003)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Taken (2008)
- The Godfather (1972)
- Memento (2000)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
- The Princess Bride (1987)
- Carrie (1976)
- The Crow (1994)
- I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
- Blue Ruin (2013)
- Man on Fire (2004)
- Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
- Death Wish (1974)
- The Punisher (2004)
- The Equalizer (2014)
- Mad Max (1979)
- The Brave One (2007)
- A History of Violence (2005)
- The Boondock Saints (1999)
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)
- The Limey (1999)
- Taken 2 (2012)
- The Mechanic (2011)
- The Professional (1994)
- Road to Perdition (2002)
- Blue Valentine (2010)
- John Q (2002)
- Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
- Gone Girl (2014)
- Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
- Batman Begins (2005)
- Munich (2005)
- Lawless (2012)
- The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
- Straw Dogs (1971)
- Rolling Thunder (1977)
- Red Hill (2010)
- Irreversible (2002)
- The Brave One (1956)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
- The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)
- Bluebeard (1944)
- Gran Torino (2008)
- The Horseman (2008)
How To Write A Revenge Arc Screenplay
1. Establish the motivation
The first step in writing a revenge arc is to establish the motivation for the character seeking revenge.
The audience needs to understand why the character is seeking revenge, and why it is so important to them. This motivation needs to be strong enough to drive the character throughout the entire arc.
- In “Taken,” a father seeks revenge against the people who kidnapped his daughter while she was on vacation in Paris. He’s fueled by his love for his daughter and his desire to protect her at all costs.
- In “Kill Bill,” the protagonist, known only as “The Bride,” seeks revenge against a group of assassins who tried to kill her and her unborn child. Once she wakes up, she’s compelled to hunt down each one.
- With the help of a bounty hunter, Django in “Django Unchained,” seeks revenge against the plantation owner who killed his wife and separated him from her.
- Retired hitman John Wick receives a dog from deceased wife, only for mobsters to steal his car and kill the dog.
- In “A Man Apart,” a DEA agent seeks revenge against the drug lord who killed his wife. The agent goes rogue and sets out to take down the drug lord and his organization.
2. Develop the character
To create a compelling revenge arc, it is important to develop the character seeking revenge. The audience needs to understand the character’s backstory, their personality, and their flaws. This will make the character more relatable and will help the audience to root for them throughout the arc.
Think about their strengths and weaknesses. What makes them unique? What are their flaws and how do these flaws affect their pursuit of revenge? Creating a well-rounded character makes the revenge arc more believable, engaging and satisfying.
- In “Oldboy,” protagonist Oh Dae-su is kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years. After being released, he seeks revenge against those who kidnapped him and takes brutal and violent measures to get it. He is motivated by his love for his daughter, whom he missed the birth of during his captivity, and his desire to make those responsible pay for what they have done.
- Leonard Shelby of “Memento” seeks revenge against the person who raped and murdered his wife, despite his inability to form new memories due to a brain injury. He uses notes and tattoos to track down the killer and is motivated by his love for his wife and his need for justice.
- “Blue Ruin’s” lead, Dwight Evans, seeks revenge against the people responsible for his parents’ deaths, despite being ill-equipped for violence and lacking a clear plan. He is motivated by a desire for closure and a need for vengeance, but his lack of experience and planning lead to disastrous consequences.
- In “The Count of Monte Cristo,” protagonist Edmond Dantès seeks revenge against those who betrayed him and had him imprisoned for years. He uses his newfound wealth and knowledge to orchestrate their downfall, and his motivation is fueled by a desire for justice and retribution.
- Hugh Glass seeks revenge, in “The Revenant,” against the man who left him for dead after he was mauled by a bear and witnessed the murder of his son. He overcomes physical and emotional obstacles to track down his target, and his motivation is driven by a desire for revenge and a need to honor his son’s memory.
- In “Law Abiding Citizen,” Clyde Shelton seeks revenge against the corrupt officials who allowed the murderers of his wife and daughter to go free. He uses his intelligence and resources to carry out a complex plan of vengeance, and his motivation is fueled by a desire for justice and a need to expose the flaws in the justice system.
- In “Blue Is the Warmest Color,” the protagonist Adèle seeks revenge against the older woman who broke her heart and left her emotionally shattered. She confronts the woman and later finds closure by moving on with her life, motivated by a desire for closure and a need to let go of the past.
3. Create a formidable antagonist
A revenge arc requires a formidable antagonist who has wronged the character seeking revenge. This antagonist needs to be powerful enough to pose a real threat to the character seeking revenge. The audience needs to understand why the character seeks revenge against this particular antagonist.
When creating the antagonist, consider their motivations and backstory. Why did they wrong the character seeking revenge? What are their strengths and weaknesses? By creating a well-developed antagonist, you can make the conflict more compelling and the revenge arc more satisfying.
- Commodus in “Gladiator”: The corrupt emperor of Rome who murders the protagonist’s family and forces him into slavery. He serves as a powerful adversary for the protagonist’s quest for revenge, with his wealth, influence and army of soldiers.
- Bill Cutting in “Gangs of New York”: A ruthless gang leader and political boss who terrorizes the Five Points neighborhood of New York City. He is responsible for the murder of the protagonist’s father and serves as a symbol of the corrupt political system during the Civil War era.
- Calvin Candie in “Django Unchained”: A sadistic plantation owner who enjoys watching slaves fight to the death. He is the main target of the protagonist’s revenge and serves as a symbol of the brutality and racism of the antebellum South.
- Ivan Vanko in “Iron Man 2”: A brilliant engineer and the son of a former Soviet scientist who worked with the protagonist’s father. He seeks revenge against the protagonist’s family for what he perceives as their betrayal of his father.
- Tommy DeVito in “Goodfellas”: A violent and unpredictable member of the protagonist’s gang who is responsible for a series of murders and other criminal activities. He serves as a symbol of the dangers of the criminal underworld and the corruption of power.
4. Build tension
A successful revenge arc needs to have tension and conflict throughout the story. This can be achieved by creating obstacles for the character seeking revenge, and by having the antagonist actively work against them. The audience needs to be on the edge of their seats, wondering if the character will succeed in their mission.
To build tension, consider the stakes of the revenge arc. What will happen if the character fails? What will they lose? It’s also important to create obstacles for the character, such as physical or emotional challenges that they must overcome.
Here are seven examples of building tension in revenge arc movies:
- In “The Godfather,” Michael Corleone seeks revenge against the rival gang that attempted to kill his father. As he becomes more involved in the criminal underworld, the tension builds as he must navigate dangerous situations and make difficult choices to achieve his goal.
- In “The Princess Bride,” Inigo Montoya seeks revenge against the six-fingered man who killed his father. The tension builds as Inigo faces off against the man and must overcome physical and emotional obstacles to achieve his goal.
- In “The Hateful Eight,” several characters seek revenge against one another in a tense and violent standoff. The tension builds as the characters try to outsmart each other and survive in a dangerous and unpredictable environment.
- In “John Q,” a father seeks revenge against the healthcare system that denied his son a life-saving operation. The tension builds as he takes the hospital hostage and negotiates for his son’s life, with the police and media watching every move.
- In “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” Lisbeth Salander seeks revenge against the man who raped and tortured her. The tension builds as she investigates his past and sets a trap to catch him, putting herself in danger in the process.
- In “The Revenant,” Hugh Glass seeks revenge against the man who left him for dead after he was mauled by a bear. The tension builds as he faces physical and emotional obstacles and must track down his target in a harsh and unforgiving wilderness.
- In “True Grit,” Mattie Ross seeks revenge against the man who killed her father. The tension builds as she teams up with a grizzled U.S. Marshal and they face dangerous outlaws and treacherous terrain on their quest for justice.
5. Show the consequences
Revenge comes at a cost, and it is important to show the consequences of the character’s actions. This can be done by having the character face moral dilemmas, or by showing the negative effects that their actions have on themselves and others. The audience needs to understand that revenge is not always the best course of action.
When showing the consequences, consider the impact that the character’s actions will have on themselves and others. Will they lose something important to them? How will their relationships be affected? By showing the consequences, you can make the revenge arc more meaningful and thought-provoking.
- In “The Crow,” the protagonist seeks revenge against the gang who killed him and his fiancée. The consequences of his quest for revenge include his descent into darkness and his struggle to maintain his humanity.
- In “Mystic River,” the protagonist seeks revenge against the man who he believes kidnapped and killed his daughter. The consequences of his actions include the destruction of his relationships and his own moral code.
- In “The Limey,” the protagonist seeks revenge against the man he believes is responsible for his daughter’s death. The consequences of his actions include his own death and the revelation of the truth behind his daughter’s death.
- In “The Departed,” the protagonist seeks revenge against the man who killed his father. The consequences of his actions include the destruction of his own career and the revelation of his true identity.
- In “The Nightingale,” the protagonist seeks revenge against the soldiers who raped and killed her family. The consequences of her actions include the physical and emotional toll of her journey, and the realization that her quest for revenge may not bring her the closure she seeks.
- In “Blue Jasmine,” the protagonist seeks revenge against her husband for his infidelity and financial fraud. The consequences of her actions include her own mental breakdown and the loss of her social status.
- In “Lawless,” the protagonist seeks revenge against the corrupt law enforcement officers who threaten his family’s moonshining business. The consequences of his actions include the destruction of his community and the loss of his loved ones.
6. Add a twist
To make the revenge arc unpredictable, it’s important to add a twist. This twist can come in the form of a betrayal or a revelation about the true nature of the antagonist. It can also be a plot twist that changes the course of the story. The twist adds an element of surprise that keeps the audience engaged.
When adding a twist, consider how it will affect the character seeking revenge and the overall story. Will it change their motivation or their approach to revenge? How will it affect the relationship between the character and the antagonist?
Spoilers below!
- In “The Prestige,” the protagonist seeks revenge against his rival magician for the death of his wife. The twist is revealed at the end of the movie when it is revealed that the protagonist has been living a double life and has been seeking revenge against himself.
- In “The Handmaiden,” two women seek revenge against a wealthy man who has wronged them. The twist is revealed halfway through the story when it is revealed that one of the women is actually working with the man and has been deceiving the other woman.
- In “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” the protagonist seeks revenge against a man who has wronged him. The twist is revealed at the end of the movie when it is revealed that the protagonist has killed the man and assumed his identity.
- In “The Skin I Live In,” the protagonist seeks revenge against a man who raped his daughter. The twist is revealed at the end of the movie when it is revealed that the protagonist has actually been experimenting on the man and has turned him into a woman.
- In “The Invisible Guest,” a man seeks revenge against a woman who he believes killed his lover. The twist is revealed at the end of the movie when it is revealed that the man actually killed his lover and has been hallucinating the entire time.
- In “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle,” a woman seeks revenge against a family who she believes is responsible for her husband’s suicide. The twist is revealed at the end of the movie when it is revealed that the woman is actually the nanny who is trying to take over the family’s life.
- In “The Reversal,” a man seeks revenge against the woman who put him in prison for a crime he did not commit. The twist is revealed at the end of the movie when it is revealed that the man actually did commit the crime and has been lying to everyone the entire time.
7. Avoid cliches
Revenge arcs can easily fall into cliches, such as the hero becoming consumed by their desire for revenge and losing sight of their original motivation. To avoid this, it’s important to stay true to the character’s motivation and not rely on tropes and stereotypes.
When avoiding cliches, consider what makes your revenge arc unique. How can you subvert expectations and make the story more engaging? By avoiding cliches, you can create a more memorable and satisfying revenge arc.
- “Taken 2” and “Taken 3” rely too heavily on the same formula as the first movie, with Liam Neeson’s character once again seeking revenge to protect his family.
- “The Punisher” relies too heavily on the trope of the vigilante who takes justice into their own hands, with the protagonist seeking revenge against criminals who killed his family.
- “The Brave One” falls into the cliche of the vigilante who takes justice into their own hands, with Jodie Foster’s character seeking revenge against those who killed her fiancé.
8. Show growth
A revenge arc can also be an opportunity for the character seeking revenge to grow and change. By the end of the arc, the character should have learned something about themselves and the world around them. This growth can come in the form of forgiveness or a realization that revenge is not the answer.
When showing growth, consider how the character’s experiences have changed them. Have they learned something about themselves or the world? How have their relationships changed? By showing growth, you can make the revenge arc more meaningful and satisfying.
9. Pace the story
A successful revenge arc needs to be well-paced. It’s important to balance action with character development and to avoid rushing the story. The revenge arc should be a gradual progression, with each step building on the previous one.
When pacing the story, consider the overall structure of the revenge arc. How will the character’s pursuit of revenge progress? What obstacles will they face? By pacing the story effectively, you can create a more engaging and satisfying revenge arc.
10. Have a satisfying conclusion
The conclusion of a revenge arc is crucial. It needs to be satisfying for the audience, with the character achieving their goal in a way that is believable and true to their character. It’s also important to tie up loose ends and show the consequences of the character’s actions.
When concluding the revenge arc, consider how the character’s pursuit of revenge has changed them. Have they achieved their goal? What were the consequences of their actions? By having a satisfying conclusion, you can create a more memorable and satisfying revenge arc.
In summary, writing a successful revenge arc requires careful planning and execution. By following these tips and avoiding cliches, you can create a compelling and satisfying revenge arc that will keep your audience engaged from beginning to end.
