Revenge is a dish best served warm.
In the everyday world, we seek revenge through small, almost unnoticeable actions that cause inconvenience to another person’s life. Revenge is a strange way to cope with feeling wronged. Sometimes, we wish revenge could be bigger, break the rules without consequence, showing the world our fury just like characters do in revenge movies like John Wick or Oldboy.
Then, a revenge movie comes around that asks you to look inward. Why should you continue the cycle of violence? Why not seek forgiveness?
Pig follows Rob (Nicolas Cage), a retired chef, as he looks for his stolen truffle pig, his only form of companionship after the death of his wife. The movie is set up to replicate John Wick, but instead of violence to cope with loss, Rob offers empathy while searching for his peace.
So why does this work as a great revenge story? Let’s break down how empathy in a story about revenge subverts the audiences’ expectations, offering a dish best served warm.
Author: Alyssa Miller
This article comes from No Film School and can be read on the original site.
