Do Revenge Facts You Need To Know About Netflix's Y2K Hit

Released on September 16, 2022, Do Revenge is the Netflix teen comedy film directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Celeste Ballard. The movie features a highly anticipated ensemble cast including Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke (best known for her work in Stranger Things), Austin Abrams, Rish Shah, and Buffy Summers herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar. Loosely inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train (1951) with an exaggerated Y2K aesthetic, it had mixed reviews from critics on its debut.

Our Do Revenge facts include how the film directly references Dangerous Liaisons and Cruel Intentions, why filming moved from LA to Atlanta and how it is linked to Alfred Hitchcock.

1. Do Revenge Turns The Y2K Teen Aesthetic Up To Eleven

Do Revenge pays tribute to a multitude of beloved teen revenge films, including Jawbreaker (1999), Cruel Intentions (1999), Heathers (1988), Mean Girls (2004), John Tucker Must Die (2006), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), and Clueless (1995), among others. The film's soundtrack even features iconic songs from these movies, immersing viewers in a nostalgic experience.

2. Do Revenge Is Based On Strangers On A Train

Do Revenge, initially titled Strangers, was announced as a Netflix development on October 14, 2020. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson took the helm as co-writer and director, influenced by Hitchcock's “Strangers On A Train” (1951). 

In November 2020, it was revealed that Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke had been cast in the film. Additional members of the talented ensemble were announced in early 2021.

3. Filming Was Moved From Los Angeles To Atlanta, Georgia

While principal photography was initially scheduled for Los Angeles in early 2021, the location was changed to Atlanta, Georgia, and the story's setting was adjusted to Miami. This modification was made to accommodate Maya Hawke's schedule, as she was concurrently filming Stranger Things. Director Robinson was keen not to lose either of her lead actors. 

4. Oglethorpe University In Atlanta Was A Primary Filming Location

Filming initially concluded on August 7, 2021, with additional production stages taking place in Miami, Florida, in August 2022. Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, served as one of the primary filming locations.

5. It Has A Rotten Tomatoes Approval Rating Of 83%

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Do Revenge holds an approval rating of 83% based on 77 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The critical consensus on the site states, "Do Revenge could have been sharper, but Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes serve up a delightful treat for those who understand the hellish nature of high school." 

Metacritic indicates "generally favourable reviews" with a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, based on 17 critics.

6. Critics Called Do Revenge “Generation-Defining”

The Daily Beast's Coleman Spilde hails the film as a "generation-defining masterpiece," declaring, "Once every decade, a high school comedy emerges that's so stylish, witty, and influential that it remains unmatched. Netflix's vibrant new adventure is that movie." 

The New York Times' Amy Nicholson awards the film a B rating and describes it as a "playful, sharp-toothed satire that transforms '90s teen comedy into modern emojis: crown, knife, fire, winky face." 

7. There Is A Clever Clueless Reference

8. Eleanor Actually Reads Strangers On A Train

Maya Hawke's character finds solace in reading Patricia Highsmith's 1950 novel "Strangers on a Train," a gripping tale centred around revenge, serving as an homage to the film's thematic roots.

9. There Is A Memorable 10 Things I Hate About You Connection

When Drea and Russ indulge in a paint fight after cutting class, it is a playful tribute to the memorable scene in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) where Kat and Patrick engage in a similar colourful encounter.

10. Eleanor References Taylor Swift

During a pivotal moment in Do Revenge, Eleanor quotes Taylor Swift, humorously declaring, "The old version of me can't come to the phone right now because she's dead." This line is a direct reference to the lyrics of "Look What You Made Me Do" from Swift's 2017 album, Reputation.

11. The Ending Is Very Cruel Intentions

The film concludes with a captivating shot of a car driving off into the distance, reminiscent of the memorable final scene in Cruel Intentions (1999), adding a nostalgic touch to the story's resolution.

12. Sarah Michelle Gellar Is Another Large Connection To Cruel Intentions

During the school's welcoming day, a student can be seen engrossed in the novel Dangerous Liaisons (1988), adding an intriguing layer of connection. 

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who portrays the Headmaster in the film, previously played Kathryn Merteuil in Cruel Intentions—a contemporary adaptation of Stephen Frears' Dangerous Liaisons. Once aware of Gellar's casting, the director reworked the Headmaster's lines to infuse the character with shades of Kathryn's persona. 

Additionally, it's worth noting that Maya Hawke's mother, Uma Thurman, starred in Dangerous Liaisons, further deepening the ties between the films.

Continuing the thread linking to Cruel Intentions, the closing scenes of the movie feature the song "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim, which was prominently featured in the soundtrack of Cruel Intentions.

13. There Is A Direct Reference To The Craft

During the scene where the entire year group is under the influence of mushrooms, Allegra, known as "The Instagram Witch," and her friends gather in a circle and chant "Light as a feather, stiff as a board." This chant is a direct reference to the iconic 90s cult classic, The Craft (1996), as the chant and attempted magic are directly taken from the movie.

14. Where Did Drea’s Pink Steering Wheel Cover Go?

Observant viewers may notice a curious detail in the film: before Drea's car accident, her steering wheel is adorned with a pink cover. However, after the crash, the cover mysteriously disappears.

15. There Is A Continuity Error With Tara’s Drink

Towards the end of Do Revenge, during the playing of Max's video, there is a noticeable inconsistency in Tara's drink. It alternates between champagne, a blue beverage, and then returns to champagne, adding a subtle but intriguing continuity oversight.

16. No One Knows How Max Got Into Eleanor’s Phone

An intriguing plot point arises when Max somehow gains access to Eleanor's phone to view what she and Drea were up to. It is not explained how Max accomplishes this feat without knowledge of her password or using her face ID to unlock the device, leaving it shrouded in mystery.

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