V for Vendetta Review (2005) – A Timely and Crucial Reminder of Resistance, Resilience, and the Power of the People!
Well, we’re in a moment where the weight of the world got a good bit heavier and it was already exceedingly heavy. With the recent 2024 US presidential election, we’ve found ourselves reaching for films and shows that don’t just entertain but challenge, inspire, and remind us of our collective strength. Hulu’s The Handmaids Tale is a must-watch, but so is this week’s film. Enter V for Vendetta (2005), a film that feels more relevant now than ever, especially considering this last Fifth of November. It’s a story of resistance, resilience, and the power of the individual to ignite change, even in the face of overwhelming darkness. Let’s peel back the layers of this revolutionary tale and see how it resonates with the challenges we face today.
V for Vendetta contains themes and scenes that may be triggering for some if not all of us. The film depicts imprisonment, physical and psychological torture, and violence, including gunfights and executions. It portrays a totalitarian society marked by surveillance, propaganda, and oppression. The story addresses persecution and abuse particularly of LGBTQ+ individuals, women and children. There is the implied threat of sexual assault by government agents. Additionally, unethical medical experimentation and psychological trauma play significant roles. This is a dystopian film that reflects what Christian nationalism, fear, control and hate can do to a country. Please approach this film with caution, but also please watch it as it can be considered highly educational at this point.
Before we begin, a quick reminder: this post is more serious. We’re heartbroken but determined to support everyone affected by the upcoming four years. We will try to avoid spoilers, but please be aware that there will likely be some in this review, so please read cautiously.
The film begins with a voice over, “Remember, remember the fifth of November. The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.” We then get a quick depiction of Guy Fawkes being captured, and hung for attempting to blow up the houses of Parliament in 1605. The voice over continues discussing the unfortunate fact that ideas are often considered more valuable than the people who came up with them. An idea can live on, while a person can be killed, or simply pass away. An idea can still change the world even centuries later, “But you cannot kiss an idea…cannot touch it or hold it. Ideas do not bleed. They do not feel pain. They do not love. And it is not an idea that I miss. It is a man…a man that made me remember the fifth of November…a man that I will never forget.”
The screen goes black, we potatoes cry a little, and we see a “V” made of fire within a circle of flame and the title comes on screen, V for Vendetta. We potatoes have chills already!
We fade into the face of someone who looks and sounds like he belongs on Fox news, and funny enough, he is on the television. Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), is sitting in her home in front of her vanity mirror getting ready to go out while listening to this asinine talking head, Lewis Prothero (Roger Allam). We cut back and forth from her, to a strange man who appears to also be getting ready for something…only he is dressed completely in black, including black gloves with a Guy Fawkes mask and a black shoulder length wig.
Evey Hammond appears to be a fairly ordinary woman but she is about to make a grave mistake, as she is preparing to go out past government mandated curfew. She realizes this, but decides to go out anyway…on her way to her dinner date she is accosted by government agents known as “Fingermen.” These men are preparing to violate, assault, and dehumanize her person, and feel justified in doing so…because she is a woman out past curfew. They are absolutely revolting, and we potatoes fear for the increase in violence against women. In many ways, it has already started…and it has only been a few weeks. We potatoes could not be more disappointed…but we digress.
This scene always has us potatoes fuming, but fortunately that mysterious, masked vigilante that we saw preparing earlier, comes to her rescue! He is known only as “V” (Hugo Weaving). V's mask is iconic, modeled after Guy Fawkes, as we stated before, this is the historical figure known for attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament on November 5th, 1605.
V's lines are unforgettable! He speaks in a dramatic and poetic manner that captivates Evey and us potatoes! “Voila! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it’s my very good honor to meet you, and you may call me V.”
“Are you like a crazy person?” Evey asks with a look of utter confusion. This line makes us laugh, it is a very fair question considering the short monologue he just gave above. Evey tells him her name, and V seems enchanted by it. V tells her that he is a musician and is on his way to give a special performance. He invites her to go with him and assures her that she will return home safely afterwards and that no harm will come to her. She agrees, and finds herself on the roof of a building.
She is confused, where are the instruments? He assures her that there will be, and asks her what day it is, “November fourth.” “Not any longer…” He then recites the poem on the fifth of November from the beginning of the film, and we hear Big Ben gong for midnight. It is now the fifth of November…suddenly music starts to rise up from what appears to be large mega phone speakers throughout the area!
V begins conducting as the music increases in volume and swells! The building in front of them, a building called The Old Bailey, abruptly explodes! The explosion releases fireworks, and glorious music to narrate and celebrate its chaotic and beautiful destruction! V laughs, and continues to conduct while Evey stands there scared and unsure. What is going on? What is the point? What is V trying to accomplish?
We are going to wrap it up from here to avoid giving too much more of the film away, but truly, we could not recommend this one more. From the very opening scenes of V for Vendetta, we’re introduced to a world suffocating under a totalitarian regime. Christian nationalism, intolerance and fear are the tools of this dystopian government, ruling over the citizens with an iron fist. Sound familiar? The film’s depiction of a nation held hostage by authoritarian power hits particularly hard right now, echoing real-world issues and the stifling of our collective voices and freedoms. But beyond the bleakness, V for Vendetta offers hope—it’s a story that reminds us that even one voice, one act of boldness, can grow into a movement that shakes the foundations of tyranny.
Our masked hero, V (Hugo Weaving), embodies that bravery. He’s a complex figure, driven by a mix of personal vengeance and a genuine desire for liberation. V is a symbol of resistance, showing us that change often starts with one person daring to say, “Enough.” As V so aptly says, “People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.” It’s a line that reverberates with renewed urgency as we look at the struggles we’re facing now.
Let’s try to sprinkle in some potato humor…oh dear there is nothing funny about any of this. If V were around today, we bet he’d be a meme-lord, and a TikTok king posting cryptic inspirational quotes with a side of sharp satire. But jokes aside, his message would still be the same: Do not go gentle into that good night; challenge what needs to be challenged and fight for civil rights for all.
Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman), the film’s other main character, represents the journey from fear to empowerment. At the start, she’s a regular citizen, just trying to survive in a world that feels too big to change. But through her experiences with V, she realizes that true freedom comes from rejecting fear and embracing courage, even when it’s terrifying. Her transformation is a reminder to all of us that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it is taking action despite it.
There are moments in the film that feel like a gut punch, especially now. The government’s propaganda machine, its control over the media, Christian nationalism and the constant state of surveillance hit too close to home for comfort. But here’s the thing: V for Vendetta doesn’t have to leave us in despair. In fact it shows us that hope is a spark that can grow into an inferno. When the people take off their metaphorical masks and stand together, they can become unstoppable.
So, how do we survive and persevere through these times that feel like an Orwellian fever dream? Here are a few lessons we can take from V for Vendetta:
1. Find Your Voice and Use It: Silence can be complicity. Whether it’s through art, writing, activism, or community support, using your voice matters. V used theater and spectacle; we have social media, community meetings, and the power of our words to remind each other that we are not alone.
2. Support Each Other: Evey’s growth is tied to her interactions with others who believe in fighting for civil rights, tolerance and the future. We need to lean on one another now more than ever. Whether it’s lending an ear, supporting local small businesses, participating in mutual aid, or simply showing up, solidarity is our strongest tool.
3. Challenge Injustice, Even in Small Ways: You don’t have to be a masked vigilante blowing up government buildings (leave that to the movies, folks). But small acts of resistance, questioning misinformation, refusing to bring more children into this world under these conditions, moving to a safer state (if you can), standing up for what’s right, and protecting the vulnerable — can ripple outwards and inspire others to do the same.
4. Remember That Change Takes Time: V’s plan didn’t unfold overnight. It took years of planning, sacrifice, and courage. In the real world, change is often slow, frustrating, and exhausting. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Every push forward, no matter how small, contributes to a larger shift.
The final scenes of V for Vendetta, are a testament to the collective power of individuals standing together. They show that even in the darkest times, there is light in connection and hope in boldness. And we potatoes, though bruised by recent events, will stand together too.
We will support each other to the best of our ability, lift each other up, and refuse to let despair take root. Like Evey, we’ll find our courage. Like V, we’ll use our voices. And through it all, we’ll move forward, not just surviving, but doing what we can to create a better, inclusive and safe world for everyone.
So, if you’re looking for a film that feels hauntingly prescient, one that challenges, empowers, and makes you feel less alone in the fight for what’s right, revisit V for Vendetta. And remember, the future is not set. It’s written by those brave enough to demand better and brave enough to care about others just as much as they care about themselves. Cheers to resistance, resilience, and pushing through this difficult time together. Take care of yourselves, stay safe, do what you can and as always, cheers to you.
We give this movie 5 out of 5 glasses of Rose` wine
The V for Vendetta Drinking Game
Take a sip anytime:
1. Anyone says "Remember, remember the 5th of November..."
2. Anyone says "England Prevails"
3. Anyone says "Terrorist"
4. Anyone says "V"
5. Anyone says "coincidence”
6. Anyone mentions Faith, God or Religion, (“Godlessness”, etc.)
7. Anyone questions their own beliefs or values
8. Anyone is black bagged
9. The letter "V" is shown prominently on screen
10. V recites a rhyme or quotes a phrase from literature
11. V fights
12. V does something theatrical
13. Evey does something brave, rebellious, or badass
14. A character makes a speech or monologues
15. A character makes a reference to literature, art, or history
16. An explosion or act of sabotage occurs
17. There's a "Scarlet Carson" rose on screen
18. The government, its supporters, or the media spread propaganda
What did you think? What movies should we watch? What drinking games should we write? Any thoughts that are respectful, meaningful and polite are welcome. Let us know here in the comments and always remember to be safe and drink responsibly!