Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke get teenage vengeance in “Do Revenge”

Netflix’s new teen dramedy, “Do Revenge,” released Friday, Sept. 16, and quickly gained popularity over social media. 

Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the film follows Drea (Camila Mendes) and Eleanor (Maya Hawke), two students at an expensive private school who team up to take revenge on each other’s enemies. Drea tries to take down Carissa (Ava Capri), who outed Eleanor when she was 13, while Eleanor infiltrates the school’s exclusive clique to gather dirt on Austin Abrams’s character, Max, Drea’s ex-boyfriend, who leaked her sex tape. According to Robinson, who co-wrote the script with Celeste Ballard, the film is loosely based off Alfred Hitchcock’s “Strangers on a Train.”

“Do Revenge” is a fitting successor to other dark or satirical teen comedies like “Heathers” and “Mean Girls,” just modernizing their concepts. The film definitely isn’t meant to be a realistic reflection of teenage girlhood like “The Edge of Seventeen” or “Lady Bird” aimed to be, but instead it takes a more dramatic and fantastical route. However, it’s not devoid of cultural criticism – the film weaves social media, homophobia and performative activism into its narrative. 

The film wastes no time getting into the plot, breezily leading the audience through the girls’ revenge plans. It follows, yet subverts, both teen movie and revenge flick conventions, weaving a compelling story that keeps you on your toes. The script also includes many current references and jokes that don’t come off as corny or cringe. 

The pastel luxury world that “Do Revenge” takes place in adds to the heightened narrative. Mint green and lilac school uniforms and a pastel pink background juxtapose the cruel actions the students carry out. Luxurious houses and designer clothes emphasize the wealthy world that lower middle class Drea worked hard to thrive in.

A carefully curated number of needle drops complement the film. “Do Revenge” features songs by Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish, as well as ‘90s classics like “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger and “Celebrity Skin” by Hole. The film also features a score co-written by Este Haim. Netflix has made the movie’s soundtrack available as a playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.

The complex characters are the film’s best aspect; they’re easy to hate, yet you completely see where they’re coming from. Mendes and Hawke excel in playing two wildly different teenage girls who are both sympathetic to each other and, sometimes, downright evil. 

Abrams deftly plays hateworthy popular golden boy, Max. Talia Ryder as Gabbi and Rish Shah as Russ give depth as the main characters’ love interests, even in less prominent roles. Other standout performances include Jonathan Daviss as Elliot, Max’s right-hand man, Sophie Turner as Drea’s former bully, Erica, and Sarah Michelle Gellar as the school’s headmaster. Every character falls in and out of favor with the audience throughout the film; one second, you’re sympathizing with them, the next, you realize that they’re more devious than they seem. Each actor deftly rode their character’s twists and turns, giving the audience a wild ride.

The movie was not without its problems – including a few questionable blocking and editing choices – but they can be overlooked when you’re sucked in by the story.

“Do Revenge” is a delicious, funny and thrilling teenage dramedy that deserves a high spot in teen movie canon. “Do Revenge” can be streamed on Netflix.