The original review was published on September 3 following the Fantasia Film Festival world premiere.
For the Sake of Vicious is an action packed mix of mystery and home invasion . A weary father has beaten and captured another man. He has taken his captive to a nurse named Romina’s home. All he wants is a confession. As he tries to extract a confession, things quickly devolve into a violent fight for survival.
The movie is centered around its three main characters. Nick Smyth is the emotional core of For the Sake of Vicious. As Chris, everything he does is filled with passion. He is the heart of the movie. Lora Burke is excellent as the nurse caught in the middle. Even in the movie’s most violent moments there is always a kindness to the character. She helps audiences get more deeply invested in For the Sake of Vicious.
Colin Paradine’s Alan is seen the least of the three, but is just as important. He brings the mystery to For the Sake of Vicious. Without Paradine’s appropriately questionable performance, there is no true hook to the movie.
But it is the action that will have audiences talking most about For the Sake of Vicious. It is not long before the movie turns things up. When it does, things get very bloody, very fast. The story never slows down once the main action begins. This is so true, it may be more accurate to say a story never gets in the way of the action. The plot is focused on its brutal fights. The mystery and even the characters become secondary. This is not a film that keeps its audience hanging on for answers. For the Sake of Vicious is a high octane series of brawls.
It is also a reminder of the satisfaction of simplicity. Some of the most iconic movies of all time were action pieces centered around a basic plot. (Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are not loved for their nuanced storytelling.) For the Sake of Vicious adds an element of mystery, but is all about the chaos. This is a movie that appeals to the most visceral feelings of its audience.
It all adds up to a satisfying watch. The practical effects are amazing. The title hints that the escalating action will lead to equal amounts of violence. However, nothing will prepare viewers for what they see. Everything is show full on in all its gory glory. For the Sake of Vicious is an exciting film that is certainly not for the faint of heart.
For the Sake of Vicious comes to select theaters April 16, on demand April 20, and to Blu-Ray May 4
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
