Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a stunning performance in what many consider the best revenge thriller of the 2010s. Released in 2015, the film is based on the real-life story of frontiersman Hugh Glass in the early 1800s. It follows Glass (DiCaprio) as he relentlessly pursues John S. Fitzgerald (Hardy) after the death of his son, battling harsh conditions like brutal winters and dangerous wildlife along the way.
Next month, The Revenant will be back in cinemas with a special IMAX showing. This highlights how popular the film remains even eleven years after its initial release. Few movies have had the same impact as The Revenant over the past decade, despite many trying to achieve similar success. It remains a truly remarkable film.
The Revenant Is Still the Perfect Revenge Thriller
Even after eleven years, The Revenant remains the gold standard for a thrilling revenge story. While revenge thrillers aren’t rare in Hollywood – think of actors like Jason Statham – The Revenant still feels remarkably fresh, despite using familiar themes.
Much of the film’s impact comes from its setting in the early 1800s, during the pioneer era. This historical backdrop perfectly matches the film’s tough and unforgiving feel, and naturally adds to the difficulty of Hugh Glass’s journey.
A key to The Revenant‘s success is its truly detestable villain, John Fitzgerald. He manages to make the audience dislike him immediately, even before the tragic death of Glass’s son. By the time the murder happens, viewers are actively hoping for Fitzgerald to face consequences. This strong villain makes DiCaprio’s character, an antihero, even more compelling, as the audience naturally roots for him. As a result, when Glass finally gets his revenge, it’s incredibly satisfying.
What sets The Revenant apart is the incredible hardship its main character faces. Hugh Glass endures more suffering than most protagonists in film, most notably from a shockingly brutal bear attack – a scene considered one of the most harrowing ever filmed.
He then escapes by riding off a cliff, finds shelter inside a deceased horse, and fights off constant pursuers. His difficult journey for revenge is exciting and captivating throughout, making it a truly memorable experience.
The Revenant Broke Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar Curse
Beyond its compelling story, The Revenant is significant in film history because it ended a long-standing losing streak for Leonardo DiCaprio at the Oscars. Though he had been a promising actor with many acclaimed roles, DiCaprio was repeatedly overlooked by the Academy. The Revenant was the film that finally earned him his first Oscar win.
Before starring in The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio had already been nominated for an Academy Award four times: once for his supporting role in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and three times for Best Actor in The Aviator, Blood Diamond, and others. Despite these nominations, he never won, consistently losing to other deserving actors. This losing streak became a running joke among movie fans, who often playfully commented on his misfortune.
Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first Oscar for Best Actor with his performance in The Revenant, ending a long-standing narrative about his lack of success at the awards. He triumphed over strong performances by Bryan Cranston in Trumbo, Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs, and Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl. The Revenant also earned two other Oscars: Alejandro G. Iñárritu won Best Director, and Emmanuel Lubezki took home the award for Best Cinematography. However, Tom Hardy didn’t win Best Supporting Actor; Mark Rylance was recognized in that category for his work in Bridge of Spies.
Despite a strong performance in The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio hasn’t quite shaken off the perception of an “Oscars curse.” After finally winning an Academy Award, he’s been nominated twice more – for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (where Joaquin Phoenix won for Joker) and now for his seventh Best Actor nomination. This time, he’s competing against Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Wagner Moura. It remains to be seen if his latest role will be enough to secure him a second win and truly break the curse.
With its upcoming re-release, The Revenant stands out as a unique and important film, especially for fans of Leonardo DiCaprio. This thrilling story of revenge is best experienced on the big screen – it’s truly a one-of-a-kind cinematic event.
The Revenant returns to theaters from February 26 to March 1.
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2026-02-01 00:09