Revenge movies have been around for donkey's years (anyone know which was the very first one?), and of course it was always one of Shakespeare's favourite themes. But the new century has seen it's fair share of vengeance being served up very, very coldly.. And who doesn't enjoy seeing justice, rightly or wrongly, being dished out. In brutal fashion. Here is a list of the ten of the most brutal of retributions. And yes there will be obvious omissions no doubt, i.e. I was going to include Martyrs and A Serbian Film, which have revenge elements but they do not really drive the main narrative of the plot.

Anyhow, there shall be SPOILERS ahead..

10. Dead Man's Shoes (2004)



It's not the most graphic movie on the list but it definitely leaves a punch (literally) and it's main protagonist (and ultimately antagonist) played by Paddy Considine, is one scary nutjob.
Herbie: "What the fuck are you looking at?"
Richard: "You, ya cunt!"

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: That punch..

9. Kill Bill: Vol.I (2003)



OK, some may not agree with the inclusion of this choice. It's certainly not as brutal as many others on this list, or even excluded.. but it certainly is bloody. And bloody good fun too. I just had to include it on this list..

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Actually appears in Vol.II: Elle Driver will need another eye patch..

8. The Horseman (2006)



A man witnesses the brutal, sexual attack of his daughter on video and sets off a path of retribution. Cue some good old-fashioned violent rampaging.. Aussie style.

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Blowtorch.. knife.. there's plenty of brutal torture to enjoy here.

7. Revenge: A Love Story (2010)



A list of this nature simply wouldn't be a list without the inclusion of a CAT:III movie. And this modern one is harsh.. very harsh indeed. OK, so it becomes a little far fetched as the reasons for our protagonist's quest for revenge become more clear but that's all the more reason for some good ole cringe-inducing violence. This is probably one of the lesser known titles from this list.. but comes recommended.

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Skin scrapping.. 'nuff said.

6. Oldboy (2003)



The list just wouldn't be complete without, probably the most acclaimed and famous revenge movie of the century thus far. And what a twist. Oh, and fuck the remake..

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Well you have some good old-fashioned dental torture, cutting out your tongue with a rusty pair of scissors, but the gang fight in a hallway scene is definitely the most "fun"..

5. I Spit On Your Grave (2010)

https://assets.mubi.com/images/film/30669/image-w1280.jpg?1445876769

2010 was a good year for pay-back time, and hell hath no fury like a woman.. raped, beaten and left for dead in this remake of the 1978 shocker. This is one of those few occasions, where, honestly, it is better than the original.. although the rape scene does not last as long and is perhaps not as brutal, the act of pay-back most certainly is and there is wealth of "enjoyable" torture scenes.

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Nothing more satisfying than watching one of your attackers get his eyes pecked out by some hungry crows..

4. Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance (2002)



The most brutal of Park Chan-wook's "revenge trilogy", South Korea is probably top of the pile when it comes to dishing out revenge movies in the 21st Century. Other honourable mentions include The Chaser, A Bittersweet Life, Bedevilled, The Man From Nowhere.. but there is something about the tone of Park Chan-wook's eye-for-an-eye-for-an-eye saga that leaves you reeling with discomfort. Maybe it is the absence of music or the bleak cinematography.. or the fact you just end up feeling wretched and downright sorry for everyone involved..

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Take your pick but watching Bae Doona's character wet herself after electric cables are attached to her ear lobes.. is pretty gutwrenching.

3. I Saw The Devil (2010)



Yes we are back in South Korea again for what is one of the most downright mean-spirited (and beautifully shot) movies on this list. And in terms of sheer amount of brutal, graphic violence, I Saw The Devil probably wins hands down. And this is no straight forward revenge thriller, as the line between the victim and the aggressor/protagonist and antagonist becomes somewhat blurred as the movie progresses and by the end, we're left just feeling.. well, numb.

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Another case of "take your pick" but the opening murder scene leaves the biggest impression.

2. Red, White & Blue (2010)



A horror movie with a measly, and unwarranted rating of 6.4 on IMDb (yeah. remember that site).. I guess the slow pace of the first half, which focused on the bonding of two people, was too much for some folks (Audition anyone?).. where's the horror?! Where's the gore?! Well like all good slow-burners, it is saved for the last act and it's one of those effective movies where it's what you don't see, that leaves the viewer queasy.. And what a performance from Noah Taylor as a complete psycho, pushed over the edge after losing his new "kitten" and doing what he does best... murder!

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: After the home invasion, did he kill the young girl or leave her alive? Or is peeling off someone's face from the neck up more disconcerting..

1. Irreversible (2002)



No real surprises here for what is my number one "most brutal revenge movie" of the 21st Century.. or ever probably. The disconcerting and disorientating camera-work during the opening of the movie deliberately sets the viewer up to feel nauseous, so that when we get to that infamous scene in the subway.. those of nervous disposition will just want to run to the bathroom. It is one of the very few times I can remember when I actually wanted to stop a movie during a violent scene to take a breather. It's a fantasitc movie, that rightly divides people down the middle. It also has a beautiful, uplifting ending.. or beginning.. oh yeah, shit happens.

MOST BRUTAL SCENE: Well.. there are two to choose from. And I think most of us can all agree on which is the more stomach-churning..