No matter how hard we try to escape our past, there are times when it can loom over us like a shadow, ever-present and haunting. Imagine, though, if you couldn’t recall any of your previous actions, moments of your life, or who you are? Vengeance is Her Name, a one-man indie production by Ryan Swantek, pulls us into the story of a woman’s fight not only to survive, but also to remember who she is.

The film begins with a woman, whom we only know as “Vengeance” (Jackie Smith) waking up in a dimly lit room, confused and terrified. She has no memory of how she got there, what her name is, or any of the events leading up to her predicament. She soon discovers she’s not alone, however, as a mysterious masked man (Swantek) is there to threaten and further confuse her.

As if that wasn’t enough, she also meets two others – Shaun (Thomas Frick) and Samantha (Mikayla Kane), who are also held captive, and swear that they are important people from her life. As she desperately seeks a way out of the hell she’s found herself in, Shaun and Samantha begin to put together the pieces of the puzzle Vengeance can’t figure out on her own…but are they telling her the truth?

Vengeance is Her Name is a bold venture that encompasses the very definition of indie filmmaking. Written, directed, produced, shot, and starring Swantek, this can’t get more singularly produced if it tried. While this feels very much shot on a small budget, with a few noticeable sound irregularities and choppy editing, it’s also an impressive feat for such a minuscule cast and crew.

Smith delivers a compelling performance, deftly toggling back and forth between a portrayal of someone who is both terrified and determined. Vengeance is no wilting flower, and despite the utter confusion she feels through the entirety of the movie, she leans into that and uses it to her advantage to push her forward.

Major props need to be given to Swantek for jumping in and tackling such a project nearly completely on his own. When you have a crew of people to back you up, you can concentrate on your one role and give it your full attention. When you essentially ARE the entire crew, though, there’s no down time, no recovery, and all you can do is keep your numerous plates spinning. 

Even with a relatively short runtime, there are moments that seem to needlessly drag on slightly too long, which pulls the audience’s attention away from the unraveling mystery. The horror aspects of this film are plentiful, although for those who are a bit squeamish, the gore and torture aspects might feel overdone.

Overall, this is an intriguing project that not many filmmakers would be adventurous enough to attempt, and the underlying riddle that begs to be solved is sure to be an attention-grabber for indie horror buffs.