10 Amazing Revenge Films That Are Really Bleak
2. Memento (2000)
The premise of a man with short-term memory loss solving a mystery already makes for a good story. It's made all the more interesting when you realize it is but one component in Christopher Nolan's mind-melt of a movie.
The trauma of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pierce) not only plays into the narrative, but feeds the way the film is displayed. Focusing on the former, the story of a man with a brain disorder who is searching for the man who raped and murdered his wife is grounds for a solid revenge tale.
What is revealed, is the dreaded realization that not only does Leonard not have any memory of every avenging his wife. But he in fact already did it, and has evolved himself into a villainous role as he creates his own lies, tampers with his own evidence and pins blame on unwilling parties.
The subconscious gas-lighting of himself isn't recognized on the first viewing, but repeat watches unveil a depressing and sad reality for our lead hero. The film's final moments play out less like a revenge thriller, but more the origin story of a serial killer whom for most of the time we had unwavering sympathy for.