Fistful of Vengeance: Worth the Watch?

INTRODUCTION

Fistful of Vengeance is a 2022 film written by Cameron Litvack, Jessica Chou, and Yalun Tu. Roel Reine, who also directed Wu Assassins – for which this film serves as a follow-up – directed it. Fistful of Vengeance includes outstanding action stars like Iko Uwais, Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao, JuJu Chan, and Jason Tobin. As a fan of Wu Assassins, I had high expectations for this film. Despite offering thrilling fight scenes and references to martial philosophy, the film did lack plot depth and character development. I did enjoy the fight choreography and the stunt work is amazing, but the narrative felt rushed and disorganized.

SUMMARY

Anyone familiar with Wu Assassins will recognize the plot of Fistful of Vengeance. The main storyline revolves around Kai Jin (played by Iko Uwais), Lu Xin (played by Lewis Tan), and Tommy Wah (played by Lawrence Kao) seeking revenge for a loved one’s death. The film is set in Bangkok, which provides a beautiful backdrop to the fight scenes and philosophical discussions. The fast-paced nature of this film transitions between urban, jungle, and ancient ruins as it attempts to engage every aspect of this story. Secondary storylines emerge, much like in Wu Assassins, of discovering supernatural forces, the fight between good and evil, and the nature of friendships. Lawrence Kao describes the plot’s connection to Wu Assassins, stating, “You don’t necessarily have to watch the first season [of Wu Assassins] to understand what’s going on, I personally think it’s something that’ll be more easily digestible, but also more action-packed and a roller coast from beginning to end.” This is true, but an understanding of the larger story does make watching Fistful of Vengeance more enjoyable.

ANALYSIS

In an attempt at full disclosure, let me state that I do enjoy this film. Fistful of Vengeance is one of my guilty pleasures, and I admit it without shame. I have watched many films starring Iko Uwais, JuJu Chan, and Jason Tobin and cheer for any of their projects. I can provide, however, a balanced analysis of Fistful of Vengeance.

Positive

As a fan of Wu Assassins, I appreciated the connection between the storylines between it and Fistful of Vengeance. As a teacher and practitioner of Chinese martial arts, any film that echoes traditional philosophy instantly draws my attention. While I am a fan of the stars of this film, I am a bigger fan of the stunt team. Fistful of Vengeance, though lacking in story direction, is action-packed and really highlights their skill. Lewis Tan, who stars in this film and is the son of stunt coordinator Philip Tan, leads up the stunt team along with Andrey Kasushkin, Kittitat Kitsawad, Chevanon Phukaokaew, and Very Tri Yulisman. The quality of the action sequences, along with the beautiful scenery of Thailand, make Fistful of Vengeance easy to watch.

Negative

Other reviews have already highlighted where Fistful of Vengeance did not live up to its expectations. The storyline and the character development fall short. The dialogue is often flat and the beauty of Thailand is not fully utilized. A strong argument can be made that the film – while full of potential – was underwhelming.

CONCLUSION

Fistful of Vengeance offers thrilling fight scenes and references to martial philosophy, but it lacks plot depth and character development. The strong martial arts choreography attempts to balance the weak plot and character arcs, but this may not appeal to everyone. My recommendation? Watch it. I enjoyed it and you will too if you enjoy fast-paced action and fantasy elements. If you are looking for emotional depth and well-rounded storylines, you may want to skip it.