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Vengeance

When you break into the mainstream as a lead on one of the most beloved television shows of all time, it can be difficult to branch out once the final episode airs.For years, BJ Novak served as one of the head writers, producers, and stars of THE OFFICE. As the arrogant object of Michael Scott’s affections, Novak’s Ryan was a standout in a show that was full of memorable characters.

Novak’s latest venture, VENGEANCE, is a worthy attempt to break free from the shackles of THE OFFICE and prove that he has far more to offer. Serving as writer, director, and star, it is a project that plays incredibly well to his considerable strengths and emerges as a hidden gem that should appeal to OFFICE fans and beyond.

Ben (Novak) is a bachelor living his best life in New York City. A moderately successful writer with a phone full of girls and an unwavering sense of self-importance, he longs to create a podcast that will uncover the truth behind what it truly means to be American. His boss, Eloise (Issa Rae) is fairly reluctant, believing that he has some interesting theories, but not much in the way of a story.

Late one night, Ben receives a call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end braces Ben for terrible news, promising it will be the worst call he could ever receive. Tragically, Ben’s girlfriend Abilene (Lio Tipton) has died. This news hits in a weird way, particularly because he didn’t have a girlfriend named Abilene. In fact, he barely recognizes the name, and has to scroll through his phone to figure out who she is. The caller is Abilene’s brother Ty (Boyd Holbrook) and in his overwhelming grief, doesn’t process Ben’s attempt to convince him that there’s been some sort of a mistake. In fact, by the time the call is over, Ben has agreed to fly to Texas to attend the funeral.

After the services, which are highlighted by an amazingly awkward speech by Ben, Ty shares in confidence that he believes Abilene has been murdered. While everyone is trying to categorize her death as an overdose, he states that his sister Abby would never even touch so much as an Advil. He insists that Ben work with him to seek vengeance on the perpetrators and settle things the Texan way. While Ben is reluctant to indulge in violence, he realizes that a unique opportunity has presented itself. He calls Eloise and pitches the story as an idea for a podcast. With the promise of a murder mystery and a cast of backwoods characters, it has everything that consumers adore. Eloise agrees and gives him a short leash in which to work.

As Ben delves into the mystery of Abilene, the quirky personalities of all those involved shine through. This is particularly true of Ty, who, as played by Holbrook, is a wonder to behold. Simple yet endearing, boisterous and tender, he is a larger-than-life character who cares about his family above all else. This family includes an outspoken Granny (Louannd Stephens), a kind and caring mother (J. Smith-Cameron), two close and opinionated sisters (Isabella Amara and Dove Cameron), and a young brother named El Stupido (Eli Bickell). Ben knows within minutes of speaking with them that they are exactly the type of crew who will be eagerly devoured by the pop-culture machine. Eloise is elated with the content Ben is providing and truly believes that they have a smash-hit on their hands.

Ben forges unexpected relationships as he is drawn into the quirky world he finds himself in, and the natural beauty of the landscape around him. He is especially drawn to Quentin (Ashton Kutcher) a philosophical record producer who understands that he is often viewed as a punchline, merely because of his geographical circumstances. Ben discovers that Quentin, much like everyone else involved, may be far more complex than he had anticipated.

VENGEANCE is a movie that is hard to define, and has plenty to say. Novak as writer, director and star, had the ability to mold the tale into any way that he saw fit, and while he obviously had some lofty goals, the result is a movie that is hilariously funny and at times, surprisingly deep. Analyzing class, politics, preconceived notions, the media, the public, and ten million other things in-between, it explores the very notions that Ben hoped his original podcast would investigate. And, as is often the case in the most successful entries in the saturated market of true crime materials, his podcast works more as a character study than it does a mystery.

In the beginning, viewers may find it difficult to tackle VENGEANCE and not think of Ryan, but in the end, will discover that the talented Novak has far more to offer.