Sometimes vengeance can leave one blindsided—a theme prevalently explored in writer/director Judson Vaughan’s We Will Find You. Mild-mannered Vinny’s (Judson Vaughan) world is shattered when a warehouse break-in leaves his brother (Tom Vaughan) dead. On a quest for retribution, he travels to Spain to track the murderer down, joined by his cunning handler Gerry (Kevin Stewart). A big player in the criminal underworld, Gerry supports Vinny’s endeavor. All roads lead to a confrontation with the killer, but a bombshell revelation turns everything upside down.
Revenge stories are a dime a dozen, and Vaughan thankfully keeps things stripped down here, even if the performances, specifically the cadence of the dialogue, can feel over-the-top. This can feel a touch jarring considering the film’s dark subject matter, but that does by no means imply that the actors don’t have their shining moments. Kevin Stewart is fantastic operating from the shadows, but Emilio Salgado’s Francisco is a real treat to watch, sharing moments of biting tension with Vaughan’s Vinny.
In terms of technical accomplishments, the film is a home run. Marek Dabrowski and Vaughan’s stylish camerawork perfectly complements the sound design and soundtrack departments, adding layers upon layers of flavor to each scene. There’s an eerie, sinister undertone to the visuals whenever Vinny is on the prowl. The vividly saturated corridors and streets evoke the atmosphere of quiet thrillers such as Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here. Vaughan chooses his locations wisely, crafting a journey that takes us from a bustling urban city to a gorgeous oceanside retreat. In indie filmmaking terms, We Will Find You feels like it’s operating with the globe-trotting scope most large-budget Netflix spy dramas aim for.
This, however, is a white-nuckle saga of justice. Vaughan’s screenplay is tight, keeping things moving briskly while expanding on the mystery hidden right before Vinny’s eyes. Revenge thrillers live and die by their climaxes, and this film has a satisfying ace up its sleeve.
We Will Find You punches well above its weight, delivering a simple but classic tale of revenge with ruthless efficiency.
