Prevenge
Prevenge is a 2016 British black comedy horror film written and directed by Alice Lowe in her feature-length directorial debut, in which she stars as Ruth, a grieving pregnant widow who, urged by the malevolent voice of her unborn child, embarks on a vengeful killing spree against those she holds responsible for her husband's death.[1][2] The film features a supporting cast including Kate Dickie, Gemma Whelan, Jo Hartley, and Tom Davis, and was produced by Vaughan Sivell and Will Kane under Western Edge Pictures in association with Gennaker Group.[1][3] Notably, Lowe conceived, wrote the screenplay in approximately one week, and shot the film over 10 days in Cardiff, Wales, while herself seven months pregnant, infusing the project with an authentic exploration of pregnancy's psychological and physical tolls.[4][5][6] Prevenge had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival's Critics' Week on September 1, 2016, followed by screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival, before receiving a limited theatrical release in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2017.[1][7] The film garnered critical acclaim for its audacious blend of horror, satire, and dark humor, earning a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 87 reviews, with critics praising its transgressive take on motherhood and Lowe's multifaceted performance.[2][8]Overview
Synopsis
Prevenge opens with a flashback to the cliff-climbing accident that claims the life of Ruth's husband, Matt, on the same day she discovers her pregnancy, plunging her into profound grief and isolation.[9] Seven months later, Ruth, now heavily pregnant, begins experiencing hallucinatory conversations with her unborn daughter, whose malevolent voice urges her to exact revenge on those she perceives as responsible for her suffering or simply obnoxious figures in her life.[10] This internal monologue manifests as a sassy, commanding presence that mocks Ruth's vulnerabilities and pushes her toward violence, blending dark humor with emerging horror as she reluctantly complies.[11] The narrative unfolds through a series of murders, each escalating the tension while shifting tones between grotesque comedy and visceral terror. Ruth first stabs the exotic pet shop owner, Mr. Zabek, after his crude innuendos provoke her, with the fetus's voice approving the act as a necessary purge.[9] She then targets the misogynistic DJ Dan at his home, castrating him in a bloody, absurdly comedic confrontation that highlights his lechery before finishing him off.[10] Next, during a job interview, Ruth slams the condescending HR manager Ella's head repeatedly against a table, the fetus goading her with witty barbs about corporate hypocrisy.[11] Posing as a potential buyer, she bludgeons the sleazy estate agent Zac and his boyfriend Josh in their apartment, the scene mixing awkward social satire with sudden brutality.[9] Posing as a charity worker, she stabs Len during a home visit after Len resists, the kill underscored by ironic commentary on performative kindness.[10] As Ruth's due date approaches on Halloween, the fetus's demands intensify, leading to a climactic confrontation at a party where she tracks down Tom, the climbing instructor she blames for Matt's death. Tom reveals that Matt sacrificed himself by ordering the rope cut to save the group, shattering Ruth's vengeful narrative and prompting a moment of doubt amid the revelry's chaotic energy.[10] Her water breaks during the encounter, shifting the tone to frantic urgency as she undergoes an emergency cesarean section, giving birth to a healthy baby girl whose innocent cries contrast sharply with the preceding rampage.[9] In the aftermath, Ruth's actions are reframed as products of her grief-induced psychosis rather than fetal control, with the film closing on an ambiguous note of dark comedic resolution as she walks away unapprehended.[11]Cast and characters
Alice Lowe stars as Ruth, a grieving pregnant widow whose internal conflict is central to the narrative, manifesting through her strained interactions with others as she grapples with loss, isolation, and the intrusive influence of her unborn child. This portrayal draws authenticity from Lowe's own pregnancy during production, which naturally transformed her physical appearance and informed the character's embodied turmoil.[4][12] The fetus functions as an unseen antagonist, its imagined voice—provided by Lowe—issuing misanthropic commands that propel Ruth's vengeful impulses, underscoring a perversion of maternal bonds.[1] The supporting cast comprises a series of victims and bystanders whose distinct traits and backstories provoke Ruth's actions, each interaction revealing facets of her psychological descent without resolution. Victims often embody societal flaws like arrogance or predation, serving as catalysts for the story's exploration of judgment and retribution. Alice Lowe's multifaceted role in crafting Ruth, from writing to performance, further deepened the character's authenticity.[13]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alice Lowe | Ruth | Pregnant widow driven by grief and her fetus's directives, her vulnerability clashes with emerging ruthlessness in encounters that test her morality.[12][1] |
| Jo Hartley | Midwife | Professional caregiver offering prenatal advice, whose empathetic yet routine demeanor highlights Ruth's alienation from normalcy.[3] |
| Kate Dickie | Ella | Ruth's overbearing boss, characterized by brusque authority and personal frustrations that amplify workplace tensions.[12][11] |
| Gemma Whelan | Len | Superfit acquaintance whose resistance during a home invasion exposes Ruth's isolation and envy.[12][14] |
| Kayvan Novak | Tom | Climbing instructor whom Ruth blames for her husband's death, leading to a climactic confrontation at a party.[12][9] |
| Tom Davis | DJ Dan | Boorish nightclub DJ living a stagnant life with his mother, embodying casual entitlement that clashes with Ruth's vulnerability.[12][15] |
| Dan Renton Skinner | Mr. Zabek | Sleazy pet shop owner whose crude innuendos provoke Ruth into stabbing him.[12][3] |