WATCH NOW
Vendetta Road by Nathan Light is a feature that adds armed strangers lurking on campgrounds to its impressive set of quirky movie locations. This time, it’s an assistant camp manager’s story.
All that Dakota (Maci Engle) wants to do is live a distant, peaceful life hunting deer and running a campground. Such a way of life seems to be perfect to her but with all the cabins full, Dakota has to deal with complaints about no wi-fi, toothbrush selling, and general annoying quibbles.
Today, however, feels different. While monitoring the deer cameras set up across the grounds, Dakota spots a shadowy figure walking around. Moments later, all the cabins get telephone calls attempting to get the guests’ credit card information.
Luckily for Dakota, she has a police background and is quite handy with firearms. While tracking Ivan (Christian Watkins), the mysterious figure, Dakota uses her surveillance skills, and the two play a subtle game of cat-and-mouse. But more is at stake.
The first thing that will capture your attention is the DIY production of Vendetta Road. The production values are quite rudimentary, but the passion shines through. Low-budget films usually have the risk of appearing unprofessional, but this shows the heart and creativity behind this project.
Nathan Light makes great use of the drama office, and the cabins serve as excellent shooting locations. Action lovers will love the wooded area which sets the stage for all things thrilling. As the location is in your favor, what makes this film amazing is the creativity exercised in portraying the tail with the beauty that it surrounds.
The action primarily consists of a simple showdown where all the sound effects of gunshots were added in post-production. The use of a low-caliber handgun, hunting rifle, and semi-automatic rifle increases the intensity of the scene. In addition to this, there is also an assortment of hand-to-hand combat.
Maci Engle’s Dakota is everything a hardcore action heroine should be sympathetic and badass in equal measure. We emotionally identify with the character on an intimate level, and it works wonderfully. Christian Watkins gives the right amount of mystique to Ivan although everything makes sense much later in the film. For instance, why doesn’t he shoot everyone if he’s so evil?
Vendetta Road’s offense seems to focus more on production design and ignores the issue that was budget or the lack of good cinematography. Most of the action is performed in front of a static audience, with no attempt at pulling the camera out of its fixed position. Fast cuts make the action seem appealing, but the lack of variety in cameras makes it rather boring. At some points, you definitely want the camera to be following the action to some degree. The key here is variety.
Another issue stemming from this criticism as the film appears to be heavily reliant on dialogue as it contains too much exposition. Considering this is a film that has to do with the ‘mafia’, I was left confused as there seemed to be some mafia/militia man-hunt going on but did not understand to what end. They were clearly searching for Ivan, but that was all I could get. The purpose behind this group reveals their intent of capturing Ivan and incorporates the methodology behind how they were capturing him. Here, it feels very bland. We’re searching for our missing soldier, and we’re kind of vicious.
Despite its budgetary restrictions, Vendetta Road has managed to accomplish the feel of a movie that is much bigger in scale than it actually is. This is Nathan Light’s debut feature and his overall work does show potential but it is subpar. And no, there’s not a Guy Ritchie thriller to be found here. The next step is clear these mistakes have to be learned from in order to evolve into the next feature. Good job.
To watch more movies like Vendetta Road (2023), visit 123Movies
Also watch for more movies like:
