With a Vengeance (1992 TV Movie) User Reviews

Takes time to get going, but when it does, it does with a vengeance!

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 3 March 2023]

There have been many thrillers of this nature, some done on big budgets with a list stars for the big screen but mostly done as TV movies of the week, this one with Melissa Gilbert and Jack Scalia. The premise really isn't believable from the start with Scalia hiring Gilbert as nanny to send Matthew Lawrence and not really checking her references. Soon she confesses that she has no idea about anything from her past, and everything she figures out comes from nightmares that she has, particularly the sense that someone is following her. That someone is her father, Michael Gross, and it appears to have something to do with a tragedy that occurred when she was a child and leading to the death of her mother.

It's interesting that Lawrence and Gilbert do not hit it off from the start with him telling her that he doesn't like her, but as she gets closer to his widowed father, he begins to want to help her figure out the truth of her past. It's obvious where the film is going when Gross shows up on screen, although there are many moments in between the exposition scenes and much more tense moments involving the main plot where the film becomes bogged down in the building relationship between Gilbert and Scalia. Still, it's well acted, keeps the audience on their toes in the more intense moments, and like most thrillers, becomes very gripping as everything comes together and the plot thickens into a very powerful stew. Still, it takes some patience, but most viewers will be satisfied with the steps that it takes in reaching its conclusion.

Surprisingly decent movie!

[i_ate_your_tots · 23 August 2001]

I had never heard of this movie before, but while looking for something to rent at the video store, I saw this on DVD listed as a new release even though it was 9 years old! It sounded half interesting and I was a Melissa Gilbert fan from LHOTP, so I gave it a shot. It turned out to be a really excellent movie. A happy surprise was that Matthew Lawrence was in it. He is such a cute boy. And he was real good in it. Everyone was. Even Michael Gross who I don't like. Far cry from Family Ties! Out of 10 I give this movie a 10. It had a lot of great stuff about it and I don't think there was anything I didn't like in it. So if you happen to find this little unknown hidden movie, give it a try! It's also called Undesirable =) At least in Canada. Bye!

Can't get tired of Watching It ! Haunting musical Score !

[nicholas.rhodes · 9/10 · 20 May 2002]

I'd already seen this on French TV a couple of times and was determined to possess the original English-language version - which I found on a DVD purchased from the United States. Unfortunately the film has 2 titles - Undesirable and With a Vengeance - God knows why but that doesn't facilitate searching for a DVD ! This is an excellent story and the actress, Melissa Gilbert is, well.......... cute ! The bad guy in the film by the name of Michael Gross is genuinely FRIGHTENING and suspense is maintained from the beginning till the very end at a constant pace. Also, the very effective and memorable music score background music sends shivers up your spine, and the use of "tinted flashbacks" is very effective. Only one negative point, picture quality, even on the DVD is not up to scratch for 1992. I would certainly recommend this film to any one who likes good suspense films and also for its very beautiful actress ! I was most enthralled by the way that love slowly blossoms between Melissa Gilbert and her new-found companion Jack Scalie and his adorable little son who is really cute when he accompanies Gilbert alone on her journey to Portland !

Compelling thriller - have never tired of watching it

[janetnewcome · 10/10 · 28 May 2005]

This made for TV movie stars Melissa Gilbert and a very young Matthew Lawrence along with the father from family ties in a very different role as a father with a different twist. The music is haunting and atmospheric and I have found this enjoyable on numerous occasions. the main character Janet begins work as a nanny for Matthew Lawrence's character who has problems but she has her own demons to deal with. I particularly enjoy watching the relationship develop between Janet and the young boy and between herself and his father Mike. with his support she can begin to rebuild her own life and the jigsaw of her life. The suspense is kept up right until the end. I have never tired of watching this film which was shown on TV a number of years ago.

I liked this movie!

[prolelol · 8/10 · 11 December 2022]

It's one of the movies you've never heard about, it is quite an unknown movie and was made for TV movie. Almost no one reviewed this movie, but I will give a review now.

I noticed that it's available on HBO Max (from my country, at least), watched it and I enjoyed it. What's it about? In the opening scene, a mother and his son were brutally murdered by the killer. The daughter came to the house at the moment and saw the killer killing them on the bed, but she successfully ran away from the killer. Six years later, we reveal that the daughter has amnesia, she refuses to remember her past. The killer still has his own plan to kill her.

I like it from beginning to end. I liked the quality, atmosphere, lighting, and the '90s stuff that made it feel comfortable. It sometimes felt a bit unrealistic, but the twist at the end is quite great. The leading actress did a good job, but I wasn't a huge fan of the actor portraying the killer.

Overall, I think it was a terrific little thriller movie and deserves more attention.

Mel and Jack reunited for another murder mystery.But the party ends fast

[Stanbabe · 7 June 2003]

Melissa Gilbert and Jack Scailia reunited for this second venture into murder mystery.As Federal Agent and father Jack tries to find out about Mel's past.And help her discover who she really is.Ms.Gilbert's character is a young amnesaic.Who can't remember her real identity.The reason that she can't remember who she is? Is due to her suffering from emotional trauma.That was caused by seeing her father(played by Michael Gross)killing her mother and little brother and chasing her into the woods.Where the poor young woman barely escapes this homicidal mainiac.Ms.Gilbert gets a job caring for Agent Scailia's son(Mat Lawrence).But he becomes suspicious of her credentials.Since most of her previous experiences as a nanny are non exisistent.It's not until he finds out about her situation that both Scailia and another agent try to seek out the truth about this poor girl.Unaware that they're being stalked by Ms.Gilbert's father(Mr.Gross).Who wants to make sure that Mel woin't escape from him this time.And that he'll prevent the two feds and Jack's kid from capturing him for murder.The plot like Gilbert's and Scailia's previous tv movie effort:"Donor"is predictable and becomes tiresome after a time.Ms.Gilbert tries to make this venture enjoyable.But her character has no enthusiasium at all.The most interesting character in the film is Mr.Lawrence.His performance is cute.But despite Mr.Lawrence's and Ms.Gilbert's efforts.With A Vengence! is A tv movie drama..without any real thrills ,a good performance or a meaningful story.

The movie was under a different name.

[Emmjewels · 9/10 · 15 November 2020]

Riveting from start to finish with good twists and turns, just wish I could remember the other name this went under originally, and hope and pray it's on dvd very soon (Lifetime doesn't show these gems any more 😔).

Date With Destiny...

[azathothpwiggins · 31 August 2022]

In the opening moments of WITH A VENGEANCE, a brutal, multiple murder is committed by a deranged killer (Michael Gross). He's shown from the beginning, so, this isn't a spoiler. The killer is surprised by a young witness who subsequently gets away.

Six years later. Jenna King (Melissa Gilbert) is hired for her new job as a nanny for the son (Matthew Lawrence) of a busy lawyer (Jack Scalia). Everything is rosy until questions about Jenna's resume arise. Serious questions about her identity. Things get more disturbing when Jenna reveals that she doesn't know who she is.

Meanwhile, we catch up with the aforementioned psychopath, whose life has seemingly settled down. Unfortunately, he's still obsessing over "the one that got away". Shockingly, further murders have been committed in the area where he lives.

We follow both he and Jenna on their separate tracks, knowing that a reunion could well be in the offing.

This is certainly one of the best made-for-TV thrillers of the 1990's. Much of this is due to Ms. Gilbert's performance, which is innocent yet tough when necessary. Also, Mr. Gross absolutely shows us that there's more to him than being the loving dad on FAMILY TIES! Whew! He's terrifying!

Although we know who the killer is from the beginning, there's no lack of suspense or mystery, as Jenna tries to discover who she is, and what trauma happened that she can't remember.

A superior crime drama with a jolting start, an engrossing middle, and a satisfying finale...