Revenge is a dish best served cold, they say. The forms it can take are numerous, but in Anna Russell’s female-centric thriller Method & Madness, it also comes with a painful dose of the truth.
On a bright sunny day, Rachel (Julia Maggiola) and her niece Kira (Emma Kassel) pull out of a cemetery after a brief visit to honor Kira’s mother. Their journey has only just begun, as they drive to an out-of-town event hosted by the enigmatic Greg (Kerry Malloy). Adorned with fluffy wolf ears, the participants of the event champion the empowerment of young women – but Rachel has something different in mind for the weekend. You see, Greg has a checkered past, one that is directly linked to Rachel. Armed and determined, she is ready to strike down the man who did her harm, but she is confronted with a different possibility by the mysterious Melissa (Keaton Morris-Stan).
The convention is a terrific setting, immediately establishing an awkward scenario for Rachel to operate in. Likewise, positioning Malloy’s Greg as a cult-like figure who surrounds himself with adolescent fans, makes him even more unlikeable in a totally creepy way. There is tension in the air, both in the gathering hall and in the quiet corridors of the lodging. The threat of Kira discovering her aunt’s true intentions also is a relevant factor.
But somehow, even with so many moving pieces, the short can feel overloaded, never allowing for key emotional beats to play out. Rachel coming face-to-face with Greg is a great example. A scene that should ooze hatred and determination is left largely downplayed by surprisingly subdued performances and glossy storytelling. Not once do you get the feeling that she wants to go through with her plan. Why would Melissa’s proposal even change her mind in a moment where brash decision-making should take hold?
Stories of revenge are built on viewers sympathizing with the wronged and wanting to see it corrected, but the film simply doesn’t get enough time to develop that connection. We never see Rachel’s pain manifest, nor is her desire for vengeance reinforced. This alone is enough to derail the narrative.
Method & Madness puts a fun little spin on classic revenge film tropes. With an interesting beginning, the film leaves off with a thunderously epic track by WEARETHEGOOD & Lynnea – a reminder of the film’s untapped potential.
