I am Vengeance?

Opposed to the familiar tagline of ‘I’m Batman,’ Robert Pattison’s line in The Batman is ‘I am Vengeance.’ One that comes around to bite him in the end, but it does begin to show the difference between revenge and justice.

At Reel Dialogue, we have talked about the differences in the past: revenge is to exact punishment for a wrong on behalf of, especially in a resentful or vindictive spirit. While justice is the administering of deserved punishment or reward. The critical difference is the intent and heart of the action. Also, does the person have the authority to administer the punishment?

Justice is only meant to be administered by those put into the authority to distribute it. Exacting revenge on someone who has done you wrong in your life only leads to more pain and difficulty. People need to bring offenders before those who can actually exact justice in those situations. Sometimes the authorities of this world fail us, but there is one authority that we can trust with the wrongs of this world. God sees all things and will avenge all wrongs in his time and way. Why is that comforting?

Because ultimately, God determines what is right and wrong. He is the one with the true authority to administer justice.

On the topic of justice, we have to consider the 'mirror effect.' In most revenge situations, the mirror can be turned around on the person trying to administer the unjust punishment. We are all guilty of wrongs and do we have the authority to go through with the action?

If you look deeper at what the Bible says about these topics, Jesus has already paid the price for those wrongs. Do not misunderstand, we should help defend the defenceless and seek justice, but revenge is not the solution.

This leads to other key areas to consider: forgiveness, bitterness, anger.

We do not have time to go into all of these areas for a short film review. That is for another movie and another day.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. - Romans 12:19 (ESV)

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? - Luke 18:7 (ESV)

Check out the full review of the film and get the conversation started about the story, film and justice.

The Batman