John V. Soto is an Australian indie auteur who likes to genre hop. That is, his productions to date tend to change category from release to release. What they all tend to have in common however are the tell-tales of a low-budget indie namely: the excessive use of strange background music to fill gaps; excessive use of garish lighting (greens, blues) to add excitement to unexciting scenes; wooden scripts; and wooden acting. What makes AVARICE stand out is the very smart idea of a professional archer caught in a DIE HARD situation, and then using her mad skills to overcome the predicament. It's a clever idea, but the cleverness lasts for about 10 minutes, tops, and then we are right back where we started.((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
20 Reviews
Dumb and Predictable But...
bogave25 June 2023
Dumb and predictable but I've seen worse. Definitely a low budget project with less than stellar acting, but something if you're looking for a mindless movie that you can passively watch and know the ending before it starts, then this is the one.
This movie of course only works because people make bad decisions along the way (ie. Give the hero the plot and not kill them when they have the chance to etc)...and also because apparently military grade zip ties do not work on regular civilians as they escape their ties at least 4 to 5 times. Overall it's bad but strangely watchable. PS. Did I already say how bad the acting is, especially from the supporting cast?
This movie of course only works because people make bad decisions along the way (ie. Give the hero the plot and not kill them when they have the chance to etc)...and also because apparently military grade zip ties do not work on regular civilians as they escape their ties at least 4 to 5 times. Overall it's bad but strangely watchable. PS. Did I already say how bad the acting is, especially from the supporting cast?
On target (not)
kosmasp5 March 2023
No pun intended - I mean it does hit the target from time to time. But it could have been ... well better! By hitting its target harder. Of course many things are predictable and you may wonder why the having a hostage thing is not played out better ... but hey if it had been, we wouldn't have a movie ... or not a long one that is.
I was not surprised by one of the twists (bigger ones) towards the end. It was quite obvious - unfortunately the actors/characters we are supposed to root for are quite ... well bland to say the least. No offense, but it is not enough to make us really get behind them ... although it would make sense ... bow and arrow and all that. And no don't question how she got arrows that are deadly ... I didn't.
I was not surprised by one of the twists (bigger ones) towards the end. It was quite obvious - unfortunately the actors/characters we are supposed to root for are quite ... well bland to say the least. No offense, but it is not enough to make us really get behind them ... although it would make sense ... bow and arrow and all that. And no don't question how she got arrows that are deadly ... I didn't.
Waste of time
brenster-263486 October 2022
Predicable, terrible acting, ridiculously cliched ending. As for the archery, there is almost no way that target arrows would inflict fatal injuries with only one strike. Then we have the annoying teenager who hates her parents. A troubled marriage, with the obligatory passive agressive comments. To top it all off the closing song was the last straw. I am trying to think of who would actually enjoy this film. The film does want to cash in on the political correctness of a strong female lead on the side of good and part of the home invasion gang. I watched it as I am a keen archer. Watch 2 flies on a wall instead!
Avarice Indeed!
jimj404 October 2022
You've seen this one a hundred times before - and done a LOT better. The only "twist" here is the archery - and our heroine didn't look like she actually knows how to handle a bow properly anyway.
The story is jaded and badly-written, and the plot was transparent from the start. The acting was poor to mediocre; the characters were all one-dimensional, and the actors didn't even try to make any of them interesting or engaging - not that the amateur script gave any of them much to work with anyway.
All in all, this barely merits a straight-to-DVD release - and it would anyway have to be a very wet day to tempt anyone to sit through this bilge. Definitely one to recommend to that annoying friend who thinks it's fun to try to prank you...
The story is jaded and badly-written, and the plot was transparent from the start. The acting was poor to mediocre; the characters were all one-dimensional, and the actors didn't even try to make any of them interesting or engaging - not that the amateur script gave any of them much to work with anyway.
All in all, this barely merits a straight-to-DVD release - and it would anyway have to be a very wet day to tempt anyone to sit through this bilge. Definitely one to recommend to that annoying friend who thinks it's fun to try to prank you...
Ridiculous low brow baddies...
alainguet24 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Low budget should not necessarily mean poor script and very unlikely character psychology.
I was expecting a female "Taken" protagonist kicking the ass of a gang of plausible criminals.
Very disappointed at the bunch of clumsy low IQ thugs she easily defeats despite their guns, using a mere bow and arrow (and a meat tenderizer!)
The award of ridicule goes to the scarface female extortionist "who has been in Syria" and feels obliged to use the F word in each sentence she utters. Her eventual demise shows how unprofessional she actually is, making one wonder how she could survive her opex missions... Do not waste your time.
I was expecting a female "Taken" protagonist kicking the ass of a gang of plausible criminals.
Very disappointed at the bunch of clumsy low IQ thugs she easily defeats despite their guns, using a mere bow and arrow (and a meat tenderizer!)
The award of ridicule goes to the scarface female extortionist "who has been in Syria" and feels obliged to use the F word in each sentence she utters. Her eventual demise shows how unprofessional she actually is, making one wonder how she could survive her opex missions... Do not waste your time.
watch with rewind
opticuscro1 November 2022
I watched this movie with rewind of some boring scenes. The first impression at the end of the film is that I wondered what the point of the story was. We have a man who cheats on a woman with a colleague's wife, then steals from him and at the end of the film he is all righteous and victorious, I mean really, I don't know what you wanted to show with that part of the story. In general, that part of the story about who did what to whom and who cheated whom is very poorly portrayed and shown to be completely unclear. In general, the acting is at an amateur level, the characters are all generic and boringly without personality. The story is potentially good but extremely poorly presented. This is a below average time killer and nothing more!
Fresh
jtomlinson-4820429 May 2023
A few twist, Everything explained.
I am sure the right Hollywood crew. Could do it better, with a big budget. This was well done for probably a respectable budget. The characters were relatable, even the villains.
I don't know why it is so hard to get a movie made in Australia. One would think they would be wide open to jump on the bandwagon. I have heard from some very high level people it is hard to get done there.
Maybe they don't want the corruptive influenced, cannot blame them.
We have all enjoyed time in Australia and Australian friends. It's a beautiful country. Way too bad about that hole in the ozone right above them and the effect. Totally have to wear lots of sunscreen!
I digress, fun movie! Starts off ketchy, then gets better. The actors all seemed sweet and fresh, which is nice.
If you hang in past the first 1/2 hour, I think you will enjoy it.
I am sure the right Hollywood crew. Could do it better, with a big budget. This was well done for probably a respectable budget. The characters were relatable, even the villains.
I don't know why it is so hard to get a movie made in Australia. One would think they would be wide open to jump on the bandwagon. I have heard from some very high level people it is hard to get done there.
Maybe they don't want the corruptive influenced, cannot blame them.
We have all enjoyed time in Australia and Australian friends. It's a beautiful country. Way too bad about that hole in the ozone right above them and the effect. Totally have to wear lots of sunscreen!
I digress, fun movie! Starts off ketchy, then gets better. The actors all seemed sweet and fresh, which is nice.
If you hang in past the first 1/2 hour, I think you will enjoy it.
Avarice is pretty close to a bullseye
gb-11619 October 2022
Not bad overall, as a low budget action thriller, Australian flavor at that. I'll let other reviewers give you the plot details. I'll focus on impressions.
Nice locales. Some menacing home invader bad guys. Acting is decent, not great. Story is but simplistic and done before in various flavors. But the movie will hold your interest.
And offers a real twist with archery action angle. Now can arrows really outfly bullets?? Of course not, but who wants to spoil the fun. Just enjoy.
The lead Gillian Alexa playing the archer Kate Matthews does a creditable job, but is slow at first to win you over in her character until the bad guys show up.
But I think she's kinda cute, so I give her a strong pass. Lol Heck, by the end of the movie, even the bad guys seem to have been impressed with her.
Check the movie score at the end, "Brave" by singer Candice Callaghan. Almost has a Christian rock type melody to it. Very nice.
Avarice 2? Who knows. But this one is not too bad as a fun action entertainment for 90 minutes.
Nice locales. Some menacing home invader bad guys. Acting is decent, not great. Story is but simplistic and done before in various flavors. But the movie will hold your interest.
And offers a real twist with archery action angle. Now can arrows really outfly bullets?? Of course not, but who wants to spoil the fun. Just enjoy.
The lead Gillian Alexa playing the archer Kate Matthews does a creditable job, but is slow at first to win you over in her character until the bad guys show up.
But I think she's kinda cute, so I give her a strong pass. Lol Heck, by the end of the movie, even the bad guys seem to have been impressed with her.
Check the movie score at the end, "Brave" by singer Candice Callaghan. Almost has a Christian rock type melody to it. Very nice.
Avarice 2? Who knows. But this one is not too bad as a fun action entertainment for 90 minutes.
I'm not ready yet.
nogodnomasters1 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Thomas (Nick Atkinson) and Susan (Priscilla-Anne Jacob) appear to be having marital issues as she says she is taking a vacation from him in Sydney. (I believe this takes place in Australia.) There are two people dressed in black at the door of these overly wealthy people. We later discover his name is Kane (Ryan Panizza) and the woman is Reed (Alexandra Nell). We hear gunshots and Susan takes one between the eyes. We cut away to a different family. They too have marital issues from his infidelity. Kate Matthews (Gillian Alexy) is a professional archer. They have a moody teen daughter Sarah (Téa Heathcote-Marks). They plan on going away for a family vacation so mom and dad can patch things up. While there, they run into Reed and Kane one night by no accident. Dad is whisked away while the women model some stylish black zip ties. If you peaked at the DVD cover you have a pretty good idea what happens next or if you stayed awake during the archery scene.
Film was less than gripping. Reed with a gash on the side of her face had the only character. Predictable.
Guide: F-word. No sex. Or nudity.
Film was less than gripping. Reed with a gash on the side of her face had the only character. Predictable.
Guide: F-word. No sex. Or nudity.
Not perfect but good
chobikuhan6 October 2022
Avarice has a solid story with something quite new, bows and arrows. So the heroine is like a cornered animal and she uses her skills to take out lots of bad guys with her arrows in order to save her family. The film has heart and thrilling moments, which I think outweigh the action. Similar to other movies where kidnappers break in to a home and tie everyone up, but instead of the father rescuing the family this has the mother doing that which again is new and I really liked it. It does start off a bit slow but when it gets going it doesnt stop, the chase in the forest is the best bit and I'm thinking they could do a sequel. This was good.
Too many unreasonable actions
wolftxusa15 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It could have been good. But too many things were just bad.
She uses a bow for a house fight. A bow is not really good for short distances, and it requires a lot of room.
There were quite a few bad guys and they wanted $10 million? Seems a little low per person for the risk they are taking.
The father is portrayed as a smart guy, but when he talks about two retina scans and gets a box, he has no clue what's in it.
The daughter gets out through a window. Double-whammy: The bad guys made sure all doors are locked but they forgot the windows? And why didn't she get out with her daughter?
Then she overwhelms a guy with a meat tenderizer and let's him lie there. Doesn't go for his weapons and doesn't beat the snot out of him even though he threatened to carve her. In her own house.
Later on she walks past several people she killed and doesn't draw her arrows for more ammo (I counted at least five she could have retrieved). She doesn't take their guns either.
She escapes from her bounds twice by slipping out. Sorry, highly unbelievable. Zip ties are strong and tight.
In the end, she has a knife in her leg but reaches for the arrow instead.
Her husband had an affair with his business partner's wife and basically did nothing to help with the home invasion, so why is everything good again afterwards? He is forgiven because she did all the work during an attack?
I found most actions implausible. Maybe I would freeze out of fear in such a situation, but I doubt I would walk past a gun or knife when my only weapon is a bow.
The story was entertaining enough not to regret the time spent, but I couldn't take the movie seriously.
She uses a bow for a house fight. A bow is not really good for short distances, and it requires a lot of room.
There were quite a few bad guys and they wanted $10 million? Seems a little low per person for the risk they are taking.
The father is portrayed as a smart guy, but when he talks about two retina scans and gets a box, he has no clue what's in it.
The daughter gets out through a window. Double-whammy: The bad guys made sure all doors are locked but they forgot the windows? And why didn't she get out with her daughter?
Then she overwhelms a guy with a meat tenderizer and let's him lie there. Doesn't go for his weapons and doesn't beat the snot out of him even though he threatened to carve her. In her own house.
Later on she walks past several people she killed and doesn't draw her arrows for more ammo (I counted at least five she could have retrieved). She doesn't take their guns either.
She escapes from her bounds twice by slipping out. Sorry, highly unbelievable. Zip ties are strong and tight.
In the end, she has a knife in her leg but reaches for the arrow instead.
Her husband had an affair with his business partner's wife and basically did nothing to help with the home invasion, so why is everything good again afterwards? He is forgiven because she did all the work during an attack?
I found most actions implausible. Maybe I would freeze out of fear in such a situation, but I doubt I would walk past a gun or knife when my only weapon is a bow.
The story was entertaining enough not to regret the time spent, but I couldn't take the movie seriously.
Abysmal!
nufc_geordie25 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This story has no surprises, it's been rehashed time and time again, possibly not as badly as this but you've seen it before. The dialog/script is amateurish at best and the acting... There are no good performances here, in fact this movie has nothing redeemable whatsoever.
However to two 'assassin' characters need to be singled out here. 'Kane' and 'Reed' are the least frightening killers I've ever seen. One male, one female character. They turn up for the job and neither of them seem to know what the plan is or what each other's role is. Reed, the female character has scary face scars and a foul mouth but honestly she sounds like she's reading from the script for the first time, she's about as intimidating as a custard tart. Kane, the male assassin is even more pitiful, he looks like a grown version of Harry Potter, and his 'I'm a bad man' persona is as convincing as $3 coin. I can't believe I paid for this garbage!
However to two 'assassin' characters need to be singled out here. 'Kane' and 'Reed' are the least frightening killers I've ever seen. One male, one female character. They turn up for the job and neither of them seem to know what the plan is or what each other's role is. Reed, the female character has scary face scars and a foul mouth but honestly she sounds like she's reading from the script for the first time, she's about as intimidating as a custard tart. Kane, the male assassin is even more pitiful, he looks like a grown version of Harry Potter, and his 'I'm a bad man' persona is as convincing as $3 coin. I can't believe I paid for this garbage!
Poor effort
dlbott29 November 2022
Ok, I first must say I love Aussie and UK people. But honestly you can count the good movies or even television on one hand.
Well, maybe not lol. I mean the one show about the criminal, separated, with daughter, something to do with letter M, I think lol, it was not super terrible.
But it did not last long here. It is kinda amazing that the rest of the world just can't seem to make good movies or television.
This was no different. You get three stars for some effort, mostly the bow. Which only makes sense in country where you have given up your rights to fire arms.
Funny how the bad guys will always have them lol. Oh yea, they don't obey laws lol. Why you have the right to protect yourself.
Acting, well if you are looking for that, skip it. If you are not Australian, skip it.
You will thank me for saving you time, which is the most precious thing in your world. You can't get it back. Use it wisely.
Well, maybe not lol. I mean the one show about the criminal, separated, with daughter, something to do with letter M, I think lol, it was not super terrible.
But it did not last long here. It is kinda amazing that the rest of the world just can't seem to make good movies or television.
This was no different. You get three stars for some effort, mostly the bow. Which only makes sense in country where you have given up your rights to fire arms.
Funny how the bad guys will always have them lol. Oh yea, they don't obey laws lol. Why you have the right to protect yourself.
Acting, well if you are looking for that, skip it. If you are not Australian, skip it.
You will thank me for saving you time, which is the most precious thing in your world. You can't get it back. Use it wisely.
My review is more entertaining than this movie and that doesn't say much at all.
godlikaura11 May 2023
Horrible acting, horrible script, horrible bad guys, horrible everything. I can't believe I spent close to an hour and a half to watch this horrible movie. There was no story, no spine tingling ending and no reason to watch it but I did anyway for reasons that I can't understand. It didn't make me feel good, it didn't make me scared, I didn't do anything except blather on about the same old story we've seen 1000 times before. So if you're clicking through the different channels out there and you're looking for something to watch and this movie comes up, my suggestion is that you stay as far away from it as you can because all it's gonna do is make you mad for the reason that you watched it in the first place.
What is going on with this movie???
gyorgak30 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Its missing a logical plot.
Spoiler alert
Bad guys want money
$10,000,000 spit 6 ways
Come on 1,666,666 per bad guy if they have a even split seeing how $5,000,000 is the main bad guys money anyways getting revenge on his wife feels like a week plot all together. The bad guys all must plan on turning on each other but how did the man plotting this not think about a double crow and you knows the target and what they can do.
Would you kill 11 people for $10, 000,000 bucks
If your husband got you and your kid kidnapped and close to getting raped and dad killed and you save the day killing 5 bad guys getting hit in the face and stabbed. Then taking me back after it was him slipping with his business partners wife. I get that her skill is with a bow but she should take the knifes & guns from the others she take down.
Spoiler alert
Bad guys want money
$10,000,000 spit 6 ways
Come on 1,666,666 per bad guy if they have a even split seeing how $5,000,000 is the main bad guys money anyways getting revenge on his wife feels like a week plot all together. The bad guys all must plan on turning on each other but how did the man plotting this not think about a double crow and you knows the target and what they can do.
Would you kill 11 people for $10, 000,000 bucks
If your husband got you and your kid kidnapped and close to getting raped and dad killed and you save the day killing 5 bad guys getting hit in the face and stabbed. Then taking me back after it was him slipping with his business partners wife. I get that her skill is with a bow but she should take the knifes & guns from the others she take down.
Home Invasion Thriller Hits Bullseye
Moviequill12 October 2022
Just watched this Australian action thriller, and unlike some reviewers comments it was slow, it moved along quite nicely - especially when the tension ramps up after the home invasion. Great unique use of archery throughout. Gillian Alexy brought across her stress believably and .Alexandra Nell as the baddie was, well, bad-ass! Again some faulted the lighting and music choices, but if they checked out director John Soto's other films they would see it's becoming a cool signature. You know you are in a Soto thriller! Well done gang. There are a lot of great indie flicks coming out of Western Australia so will hunt down some more...
Didn't you forget something?
blueish354 September 2023
The premise was simple enough. A dysfunctional family needs some help to work it all out. A home invasion might be just the trick. Expert archer Mom coming to the rescue could be very cool if not for her forgetting things all along the way. Especially the one thing her Dad tried to instill in her. What was that for if not to set-up her actions in the ensuing situations?? These lack of foresights are awkward ways of stalling the evitable. Shadow of a Doubt could have been Hitch's best if not for a graceless ending that insulted ones intelligence. Some cool kills, slick production values, a bad screenplay, lackluster direction, a boring score, bland villains and a Jessica Chastain wannabe in the lead adds up to only 5 stars. A moderate timewaster. In full agreement with IMDb consensus and completely befuddled by Rotten Tomatoes' 80 rating.
Entertaining and Fun Movie
kevindanielkirk27 September 2022
When I first rented this movie it had no reviews and it looked relatively low budget. I figured I would give it a chance, I was glad I did. It may be a lower budget, not the best acting, and a relatively unknown film but it was entertaining and worth a watch if you like thrillers! I feel like I have seen every movie out and the home invasion archery spin was a cool idea. I also appreciated the main character and the work the director did to make you care about her and her actions. I'll be keeping my eye out for other Australian produced films in the future! Worth the 5.99 rental for sure!!!!!!
Keeps you interested
donjohnsondude28 September 2022
Bad guys versus archer champion. I have seen most home invasion movies, this was a bit different with the archery. Had some nice kills (no spoilers) and other surprises, acting was pretty good, the hero woman i have seen before in TV shows like Outsiders, good actor! This is an australian movie (but no desert, set near a forest) so again a bit different. I have given it a 7, would have given it an 8 if there were more kills. If you like home invasion movies I think you will dig this. I think I'm going to take up archery as it looks fun, in the film they have a competition at the start which looked cool.
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