The rape and revenge subgenre is one of the most controversial and brutal film genres ever. These films often follow a woman who is violently assaulted, only to take bloody revenge on her attackers later. While the genre is often seen as exploitative, some films carry strong social messages about sexual violence, power, and justice.
Here are the 10 most powerful, shocking, and influential rape and revenge films ever made.
1. I Spit on Your Grave (1978) – The most notorious of them all
No film defines this genre more controversially than I Spit on Your Grave.
A young writer is brutally raped by a group of men, but survives and takes revenge with extreme precision and sadism.
This film is so explicit and brutal that it was censored or banned in many countries. Still, some see it as feminist, since the woman creates her own justice.
There is also a modern remake (2010) with even more intense revenge scenes.
2. The Last House on the Left (1972) – Wes Craven’s shocking debut
Before Wes Craven made A Nightmare on Elm Street, he created one of the most disturbing horror films of its time.
Two teenage girls are kidnapped, abused, and murdered by a group of psychopaths, but later, the parents of one of them exact merciless revenge.
This film was censored worldwide due to its brutal scenes, yet it remains a strong horror story about how ordinary people can turn into monsters when their loved ones are harmed.
The 2009 remake is also particularly brutal and worth watching.
3. Ms. 45 (1981) – Feminist revenge in the streets
This underground classic by Abel Ferrara is one of the most stylish and intense revenge films ever made.
A mute woman is raped twice in one day, finds a gun, and becomes an angel of death, gunning down every man who wrongs her in New York.
With an amazing performance by Zoë Tamerlis and a dark atmosphere reminiscent of *Taxi Driver*, this is a must-see in the genre.
4. Thriller – A Cruel Picture (1973) – The Swedish revenge cult film
This Swedish film, also known as They Call Her One Eye, is pure exploitation cinema, yet also intense and powerful.
A young woman is kidnapped and forced into prostitution, but trains in martial arts and weapons to brutally destroy her abusers.
Known for its slow, artistic shots and bloody revenge sequences, the film inspired Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill.
5. Revenge (2017) – The modern masterpiece
This French thriller gave the genre a fresh, feminist twist and kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
A young woman is assaulted by three wealthy men during a hunting trip, but survives and returns as a deadly force to take them out one by one.
With stunning cinematography, stylish bloodshed, and a powerful female lead, this is a top-tier entry in the genre.
6. Death Wish (1974) – The male version of revenge
Though the genre typically features female leads, Death Wish is a male variant, with Charles Bronson playing a tough vigilante.
After his wife is murdered and his daughter raped, he decides to clean up the streets of New York by taking out criminals.
The film launched a wave of vigilante movies and spawned several sequels and a remake starring Bruce Willis.
7. Irreversible (2002) – The most disturbing of them all
Gaspar Noé’s Irreversible may be the most disturbing film on this list.
The story follows a woman (Monica Bellucci) who is violently raped, as her boyfriend and ex seek revenge on the attacker.
What makes this film so harrowing is its 10-minute unbroken rape scene, which is almost unbearable to watch.
This is not entertainment—it’s a raw, painful portrayal of violence and its devastating aftermath.
8. Deliverance (1972) – Survival in the wild
A group of city men goes canoeing in the wilderness, only to encounter sadistic rednecks who violently assault them.
Featuring the infamous “squeal like a pig” scene and a chilling tone, this was one of the first mainstream films to tackle this theme.
The film is as much a survival thriller as a revenge story, and remains one of the most intense movies ever made.
9. The Nightingale (2018) – Historical horror and revenge
Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) created an unforgettable, brutal film about colonialism and sexual violence with The Nightingale.
In 1825, an Irish woman in Tasmania is raped and her family murdered by British soldiers. She sets out on a bloody revenge journey through the wilderness.
The film is visually stunning but emotionally draining, and one of the rawest and most powerful revenge films ever made.
10. Red, White & Blue (2010) – A psychologically raw revenge film
This underground indie film is lesser known but incredibly powerful.
A woman with a self-destructive sex life is abused by a group of men, but when a mysterious ex-soldier enters her life, an unpredictable spiral of revenge and violence begins.
The film blends realism with shocking bursts of violence, and is a hidden gem in the genre.
These films push viewers to the edge and are often uncomfortable and shocking, but they also carry powerful messages about power, trauma, and justice.
Which of these intense films have you dared to watch? 🎬🔥
