Revenge thrillers hit differently. They’re savage but still stylish and endlessly addictive. There’s something undeniably satisfying about watching characters claim power, outwit their enemies, and unleash absolute chaos on those who wronged them. Betrayals, kidnappings, all-out wars —nothing is off the table when justice becomes personal.
So the next time you’re in the mood for adrenaline and drama, queue up these revenge thrillers now streaming on Lionsgate Play.
Farang
Former professional boxer and ex-convict Samir Darba (Nassim Lyes) is given a new start with his wife after moving to Thailand. However, his delinquent past catches up to him when a local French mafia hires him. His family suffers from a brutal attack after a botched mission, which sets Samir seeking revenge. Watch him use his boxing skills, mixed with martial arts, as he teaches a lesson to everyone who’s wronged him.
Crank
Professional assassin Chev Chelios (Jason Statham) goes on a rampage in Los Angeles to stay alive. One morning, he receives a message saying he’s been injected with poison that will kill him if his heart rate slows down. On a mission to stay alive, he hunts down his employer to find an antidote and seek revenge, while trying to keep his adrenaline pumping. From fighting the police to reckless driving, will Chev make it?
John Wick: Chapter 4
No one knows revenge like John Wick (Keanu Reeves). In the fourth chapter of the franchise, John Wick’s bounty is still hefty. He travels from Japan to Paris, seeking revenge and freedom from the High Table. With only one way out, Wick goes on a duel against Caine (Donnie Yen) during sunrise at the scenic Basilica of Sacré-Coeur De Montmartre.
Cold Pursuit
What would you do to avenge your son’s life? Watch Nels Colxman (Liam Neeson) transform from a quiet snowplow driver into a revenge-driven vigilante as he hunts down the men responsible for his son’s death: Viking (Tom Bateman) and his henchmen. From kidnappings to misunderstandings, Colxman’s mission sets off a full-blown gang war.
Boy Kills World
A deaf and mute protagonist with an inner voice narrated by H. Jon Benjamin? In Boy Kills World, Boy (Bill Skarsgård) trains to avenge his family’s murder and assassinate Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen). Set in a dystopian world, the film is a perfect blend of action and dark comedy that keeps you on your toes.
Ready your snacks and witness iconic characters plot the biggest schemes, all for some sweet revenge. Catch these action-packed films only on Lionsgate Play via PLDT Home, Smart and Cignal.
Set in an unnamed city surrounded by forests and with no recognizable culture or ethnicity, ‘Boy Kills World’ is a violent, action-packed (yet comedic) revenge story that comes off more like a video game at times. There is a commentary here about how authoritarian regimes breed the sort of violence that is at the heart of this story, but it gets muddled in all the graphic displays of it. There is a tender space in this narrative, but it can get overshadowed by all the blood and gore.
This city is ruled by the iron-first of the Van Der Koy dynasty. It’s matriarch, Hilda Van Der Koy (Famke Janssen), has put an annual event, a culling, where revolutionaries and “enemies of the state” are executed in public. Our protagonist, a child called Boy (Bill Skarsgard) manages to survive one culling where he lost both his mother and sister (and was rendered deaf and mute as well). He was taken in by a mysterious man called the Shaman (Yayan Ruhian), who trains him to be a weapon with the sole purpose of assasinating Hilda Van Der Koy. His internal world is narrated by a voice (H. Jon Benjamin) from an old arcade fighting game he used to play with his sister (Quinn Copeland).
Boy eventually gets his chance to take his revenge and sometimes guided, sometimes hindered by the hallucination of Nina, he enters in the lion’s den where he goes up against HIlda Van Der Koy, her army, and her family, played by Michelle Dockery, Brett Gelman, Sharlto Copley, and Jessica Rothe.
The film can be pretty straightforward. Boy trains and becomes a deadly human weapon and then, as he is older, he makes a go out of killing Hilda Van Der Koy. On the way, he meets up with the members of the resistance (Andrew Koji and Isaiah Mustafa) and manages to interact with the Van Der Koy family and we see a sort of deconstruction of what it probably feels like to be a part of despotic family.
‘Boy Kills World’ plays off like a video game. Everything is hyper-real. The acting is overt and pronounced. It’s not a place for subtlety (except for Skarsgard, which I’ll get to later). Everything is big and explosive. Everything is fast-paced, relentless, and merciless. There’s some fantastic fight choreography that never lets up. It’s hard-hitting and brutal. In fact, it is sometimes shaky and cut so fast that we sometimes don’t understand the sense of place and time. What we do see is when the punches land, when the knives cut, when the blood spurts out, and the bones break. There’s a lot of emphasis here on the brutality. At first it feels fun and thrilling and exciting. After the first hour, though, it feels senseless and overdone.
The commentary on this kind of revenge seems very one-sided but interesting to delve into. We are living in a world of despots and authoritarian regimes. They lord over the people with such power that they can kill indiscriminately, and it fosters the kind of rebellion that will want to pay back blood with blood. Boy, in his killing spree, is positioned as someone with a justification for his homicidal rage. HIs family was killed, and he was trained and almost brain-washed to be nothing but a killer. But as the film unfolds and the way he wreaks havoc upon the Van Der Koy’s and their army (there’s a vicious fight scene involving a cheese grater that is going to be unforgettable) starts to put into question how much joy are we to take from all this violence?
What keeps the film grounded is Bill Skarsgard fantastic performance. His physicality and his ability to embody the role of a human weapon is terrific. I believe him. And without a single bit of dialogue (his character is mute), he is able to portray a vast number of feelings that is narrated in a hilarious manner by H. Jon Benjamin. Benjamin’s lines were written with a sort of naivete since he’s the voice of Boy’s inner monologue. He never had a childhood, and he never grew up in a normal world. In a way, he is still a little boy who knows nothing but to kill and this is represented by his monologue. Skarsgard then translates this perfectly with his facial reactions and it completely humanizes. It’s an amazing work that is enjoyable to watch throughout this film.
While the fight scenes get more and more intense, especially those that involve the Shaman and Rothe’s character, strangely a woman called June 27 (and this is never explained). These two people and Boy have the best fight scenes and are saved up for last. It’s almost like a ballet except it’s brutal and deadly.While the film manages to find a tender heart by the end, it’s a lot of bloody, gory violence to get through. It never pretends to be anything deeper than a revenge film, though it does a pretty good 180 degree turn by its end that somehow softens the films hard edges but other than Bill Skarsgard’s portrayal of Boy.
It’s hump day, and you know what that means – time to escape into the fantastical world of cinema! K-Pop fans can relive the electrifying energy of aespa’s world tour on the big screen with “aespa: World Tour in Cinemas.” Witness the unbreakable bond between a man and his dog in “Arthur The King.” Craving action? Delve into the dystopian worlds of “Boy Kills World” and “Breathe,” or witness a tennis power couple navigate love and competition in the romantic drama “Challengers.” Viewers can explore a unique Pinoy love story in “Elevator,” while horror fans can get their scare on with the darkly comedic “Founders Day.” Feeling lighthearted? “G!LU” offers a summer adventure about friendship, and anime enthusiasts can catch the latest installment in the beloved Gundam franchise, “Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom.” So, grab your popcorn, pick your genre, and get ready for a fantastic week at the movies.
Now, let’s take a sneak peek at what’s premiering this week:
2024 • PG • 2 hrs 6 mins DOCUMENTARY, MUSIC BUY TICKETS
Calling all MYs! If you missed out on catching aespa’s record-breaking world tour, here’s your chance to experience it live (well, almost)! “aespa: World Tour in Cinemas” brings the energy and spectacle of their London O2 Arena concert straight to movie theaters. Sing along to fan favorites like “Next Level,” “Savage,” and “Black Mamba,” and witness the undeniable talent of Karina, Winter, Giselle, and Ningning. This documentary also features special behind-the-scenes footage and solo performances, making it a must-watch for any aespa devotee.
Get ready to be inspired by the true story of “Arthur The King.” This heartwarming adventure follows pro adventure racer Michael Light and his unexpected companion, a stray dog named Arthur, as they compete in a grueling 435-mile race. Witness the unbreakable bond that forms between them and redefine the meaning of victory, loyalty, and friendship.
“Boy Kills World” throws you into a dystopian future where a young, mute boy named Boy is trained to become a deadly assassin after his family is murdered. Expect dark visuals, intense fight sequences, and a captivating story about revenge and redemption.
2024 • PG • 1 hr 33 mins ACTION, MYSTERY, SCIENCE FICTION, THRILLER GET SCHEDULES
For a sci-fi twist, check out “Breathe.” Set in a future where Earth’s atmosphere is unbreathable, a mother and daughter fight for survival in an underground bunker. When mysterious visitors arrive, their fight escalates, leaving you guessing who to trust.
Looking for something a little lighter? “Challengers” serves up a charming romantic drama with a unique twist. Zendaya takes center court as Tashi, a brilliant tennis coach who transformed her husband Art into a Grand Slam champion. But when Art hits a slump, Tashi throws him a curveball, entering him in a low-level tournament where he faces off against his ex-best friend and Tashi’s former flame. This delightful film explores themes of love, second chances, and the complexities of competition.
For a local take on love stories, “Elevator” offers a unique perspective. A hardworking elevator operator finds himself caught in a whirlwind romance with a wealthy investor’s alluring mistress. Torn between his blossoming feelings and the promise of a better future, he must make a life-altering decision.
Mixing comedy with horror, “Founders Day” tells the tale of a small town shaken by a series of ominous killings in the days leading up to a heated mayoral election. With an all-star cast and plenty of twists and turns, this film is a must-see for fans of both genres.
2024 • R-13 • 1 hr 29 mins ADVENTURE, DRAMA BUY TICKETS
If you’re looking for a feel-good summer adventure, “G!LU” tells the story of a group of friends embarking on an unforgettable summer escapade. Join six friends on one last epic summer adventure in “G!LU” as they head to La Union for a vacation filled with fun, girls, and parties. Starring Derrick Monasterio, David Licauco, and Teejay Marquez, this action-packed adventure is the perfect way to kick off the summer!
2024 • PG • 2 hrs 5 mins ACTION, ANIMATION, DRAMA, SCIENCE FICTION GET SCHEDULES
For fans of epic battles and mecha drama, “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM” expands the Gundam universe with a new chapter that continues the saga of Kira, Lacus, and their comrades. Set in C.E.75 amidst ongoing conflicts and a struggle against Blue Cosmos, this action-packed animation dives deep into themes of peace, independence, and camaraderie. With stunning visuals and a gripping narrative, it’s a fantastic addition to the Gundam series and a testament to the enduring appeal of mecha anime.
FAN FAVORITES STILL SHOWING
Meanwhile, don’t forget to catch up on some of the movies that are still captivating audiences in theaters. Here’s a list of fan favorites that are still showing in cinemas:
2024 • PG • 2 hrs 45 mins ADVENTURE, SCIENCE FICTION GET SCHEDULES
Excited yet? With such a diverse range of genres hitting theaters this week, there’s definitely a movie (or two!) that will have you hitting that “buy ticket” button. So grab your movie buddies, check your local cinema listings, and get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and reviews on social media using #ClickTheCityMovies. See you at the movies!
