actually revenge stories are way better when someone gets killed
peoples don't like being challenged usually, so they like their revenge-stories without any consequences or moral-ambiguity.
bad-guys are either stereotypical "bad-guys" devoid of personnality so no-one can question if they get axed-of,
or they're cartoons villains with the most vile-intentions for the same reason.
identifying to a character of moral-ambiguity is uncomfortable, plus you want the good-guy to win at the end right?
after-all that's why stories are written, to give you a form of comfortable escapism that never question or challenge your world-views or perceptions on any topics at all.
that's the only thing you need, why would you ask for anything else?
anyway,
the only-movie i can think of which used theses tropes well was John-Wick 1,
and it's entirely because the writing actually focus on him through the antagonists dialogues,
and it dosn't pretend to be a serious movie, it's a action power-fantasy and it's a lot of fun.
the guy murder a entire mob by himself, and there are no consequences because he's basically a super-hero.
and it work because not only it's a lot of fun in term of character-writing, but also because the action totaly justify it.
on the other-hand, there's definitely some good "revenge-stories" where no-one get killed.
if you want one, watch "Pig" with Nicholas-Cage, it's what i can only describe as a "anti-revenge movie"
it's a pretty good subversion of the entire genre, the writing is completely turned on it's head.
i'm not gonna go into lenght on it, as talking about what makes it special would spoil it's appeal,
now if you really want a good story about revenge, and can stomach visual-novels,
read/play "G-Senjou no Maou", also called "The Devil on the G-String".
it look like your typical weeb-bullshit, but it's not, i heavily recommend it.
it use and take advantage of every themes you'd expect to be associated with the genre.
it take time but it's definitely one of the best revenge-story i've ever had the pleasure of reading,
if you're gonna play it tho', i must advice that you just go for the "true-ending",
as it's very obviously what the writers had in mind and the other-routes were definitely made as after-thoughts to fill the game.
basically just refuse every opportunities you'll get to pick a route, it will be very-obvious when you'll be presented with one.
now to go back to movies,
i also recommend "Blue-Ruin", really good revenge-story too, it hit every notes you expect from that theme,
and i'd also recommend "Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri" but it's more of a drama than anything else,
so don't go into that movie expecting to see action or anything remotely-close.
anyway,
this post was made at 6AM, i haven't sleeped since yesterday,
and i needed to focus my mind on something as i need to pull an all-nighter.
i still have to stay awake for about 14 hours more.
