Emerald Fennell’s 2020 comedy thriller Promising Young Woman received so much positive reception that it ended up winning many accolades, including the title of Best Original Screenplay at the 93rd Academy Awards. Deservingly so, the film has so much to tell about the society we live in and reflects heavily on the gender inequality women face every day. With a strong female lead as its protagonist, Promising Young Woman became a topic in many feminist discourses.
Interestingly, one of Netflix’s newest hit, Do Revenge by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson might remind some viewers of Fennell’s film. The poster contains some resemblances to Promising Young Woman with the pink title and bright colors. However, that is not the only resemblance the two films carry. While it is no shocker that a film as successful as Promising Young Woman would go on to inspire many directors, it is definitely interesting to see how Do Revenge seems to be a less gruesome and more teenage version of the former.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Vengeance as The Driving Mechanism
Focus Features & Universal PicturesNetflix
One obvious similarity between the two films is the way in which the creators have used vengeance as the driving mechanism of the plot. In Promising Young Woman, Cassie’s (Carey Mulligan) life has taken a downhill turn following the unspoken suicide of her best friend. This seems to have created a form of hatred towards men who prey on young women. Hence, we see Cassie tricking men into believing she is a “vulnerable damsel in distress” to invoke their true predatory nature. Following this, what she does to these men is not revealed. While this seems to be a “hobby” of Cassie, what actually drives the story and her ultimate revenge plan is her urge to seek justice for her friend’s death. Thus, with the man, Al Monroe (Chris Lowell) who caused the sexual assault as the main “target” we see Cassie ensuring that every person who helped this man escape ends up in pain.
Similar to this, Do Revenge uses its two protagonists to take revenge on several people. Drea (Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke) team up to expose and take revenge on the “golden boy” Max (Austin Abrams) who is the Al Monroe in this film. However, Eleanor ends up revealing that her master plan has been to take revenge on Drea all along. Perhaps, her character is similar to that of Cassie as both have brilliant plans with meticulous details.
“Psychopathic” Protagonists
What makes both Cassie and Eleanor and even Drea super intriguing is their mastermind as well as their ability to go to extreme lengths to seek justice. One might see it as psychopathic simply because they do not care about the pain these toxic characters like Al Monroe and Max go through. These female leads step away from the trope of women being super caring, emotional, and kind. Moreover, all 3 characters seem to have been wronged by patriarchal society, which has led them to take matters into their own hands. The stark difference might be the dark extremes Cassie goes to, including getting killed, while Drea and Eleanor resort to just evidence-based exposure.
In her review of Do Revenge, Singh states that the film has “centered the idea of female rage” and “the challenge of overcoming sexist attitudes toward angry women.” It is undeniable that this statement is also applicable to Fennell’s film.
Reflection on Sexual Assault
Another theme that both films seem to share is sexual assault. In Promising Young Woman, it is heavily emphasized as Cassie’s downfall is her friend’s sexual assault. It is commendable how Fennell captures this heavy theme in a way that is not taken lightly. The viewer is made to feel how brutal this reality it and the huge consequences such monstrous acts can have. Additionally, from the beginning itself the film focuses on illustrating how women are constantly assaulted.
On the other hand, Do Revenge focuses on how Drea’s “intimate video” which she sent to her boyfriend is released. Unfortunately, the film does not illustrate the gravity of this situation as it is simply used as a plot-driving tool.
The Patriarchal Culture
The resemblance between Max and Al Monroe’s characters cannot be ignored. However, what is significant about them is that they are both privileged white boys who are able to get away with anything. In Promising Young Woman we see the University defending Al Monroe since Cassie’s friend, Nina, did not have sufficient evidence to prove her “allegations”. In fact, the dean of the University, played by Connie Britton, remembers Al Monroe as one of the most successful students while forgetting who Nina is. This goes on to show the patriarchal nature of society as well as the power such privileged men carry. Moreover, the way in which Al Monroe is about to have the perfect wedding shows how his actions have had no effect on him.
Similarly, Max was considered the “golden boy” who was hurt due to the video, while Drea was not only ignored and cast aside, but was even rejected from Yale, her dream University. Additionally, the way in which Max is venerated and protected by everyone goes on to show the way in which he is supported by patriarchal culture.
Promising Young Woman and Do Revenge carry certain similarities. However, there are also stark contrasts in the two films which might make one more favorable than the other.
