Top 5 Asian Revenge Films

Different countries are known for doing different genres of film. Besides martial arts, the genre of film that the Asian countries are best at are revenge films. While American revenge movies are pretty straight-forward (this happened so now this person is going to do that), Asian revenge films are more daedal. In an article I wrote about the best revenge movies I already listed "Oldboy", so obviously it is the best Asian revenge film. For that reason I'm going to put "Oldboy" aside and pick five other films. Consider this the "Oldboy" memorial list.

"Audition"
One factor that separates Asian revenge films from American revenge films is that American films usually consist of one guy getting revenge on another guy, usually over a girl. In Asian revenge films they aren't allowed to throw the women into the fray and get their own revenge. That's what happens in "Audition" when Asamai Yakazaki decides to get revenge on Shigeharu Aoyama for loving somebody other than her. Just keep in mind that "Audition" is not for the weak of heart. This movie features the most graphic torture scene you'll probably ever seen in a film. Let's just say it includes needles, eyes, a saw and feet.

"The Neighbor No. 13"
When he was a child Murasaki Juzo was bullied by another child at school. Juzo is now an adult and has repressed those difficult experiences. That is until Juzo gets a job at a construction company and realizes his new boss is the same guy that bullied him as a child. The bully does not recognize Juzo so he doesn't think twice about bullying Juzo at work. Finally the repressed feelings come back to Juzo and he snaps, deciding to exact revenge on his boss and anyone close to him.

"Lady Snowblood"
"Lady Snowblood" is a film about a young woman that is raised to be an instrument of revenge. "Lady Snowblood" is another Asian revenge film where the woman gets to do all the dirty work and greatly influenced Quentin Trantino's "Kill Bill". Lucy Liu's character in "Kill Bill" is based on a character from Lady Snowblood as is the snowy scenario that the Bride fights Liu's character in. The theme song of "Kill Bill Volume 1" was also taken from "Lady Snowblood".

"A Night in Mongkok"
In "A Night in Mongkok" two brothers are the heads of two rival gangs. When the son of one brother is killed in a street quarrel he seeks revenge on the other brother. Things get complicated when the police get wind of the quarrel and the fact that Lai Fu, a well known hitman, has come to town. Now it is Christmas Eve and the streets are littered with two warring gangs, a ton of police and one deadly hitman.

"Dog Bite Dog"
"Dog Bite Dog" is an interesting film because there are no heroes. Everyone is out for pure revenge and there is not much humanity in anybody. "Dog Bite Dog" starts with a Cambodian man using his fighting abilities to kill a man that he was hired to assassinate. Unfortunately the Hong Kong police are after him. One of the police officers is shot and his son (who is also on the force) now wants revenge on the fleeing man. Throw into the mix a girl who has been molested and abused by his father and all of the characters of this film are in a dark place.

Other Articles from this Author:
10 Greatest Revenge Films
10 Worst Asian Movie Remakes
10 Great Japanese Films on Netflix Instant