I Spit on Your Grave

The director of I spit on your grave has gone on record claiming that he desired to make a revenge film that empowered women. While his methods may have been unconventional I believe that he was successful in his venture. His film did not shy away from depicting acts of sexual violence as the film first act is comprised largely of an extended rape sequence. While har to watch this act is effective in establishing the horror of rape which allows us as an audience to root for jennifer when she seeks violent retribution later in the film. This reattribution follows a similarly violent pattern as Jennifer rapes her former tormentors before ultimately killing them. While her acts are certainly extremely brutal the film is able to almost make us excuse these acts as we understand Jennifers desire for revenge as we too wanted to see pain befall the films villains. This atmosphere the film creates that allows us to excuse violence perpetrated by Jennifer is interesting as it highlights the human instincts that draw us to violence. Though an important distinction is made as the film firmly establishes that only violence such as Jennifers that can be considered somewhat necessary and provoked is acceptable, while violent acts such as the initial rape are clearly show to be nothing but abhorrent.