Sundance 2024

Veni Vidi Vici opens with a tranquil cyclist gliding down a picturesque road, only for the serenity to be shattered by the deafening crack of a sniper rifle, sending the biker crashing to the ground with a single, devastating shot. It's a striking opening that immediately establishes the film's mean-spirited tone and sets the stage for what's to come.

This dark satire takes sharp aim at billionaires who rob, cheat, steal, and even kill without consequence. Directors Juliane Nieman and Daniel Hoesl imagine the Maynards, an extravagantly wealthy family, as villains so deeply corrupt that their wickedness feels embedded in their very DNA. One of the film's most intriguing, if not subtle, points is the idea that this cruelty is passed down deliberately from generation to generation, an intentional inheritance of malice. While the theme is familiar, the film makes it unmistakably clear that this generational evil is central to its message.

There's not a lot of nuance to the depiction of the Maynard family, and the filmmakers seem uninterested in exploring any shades of gray. These billionaires are cartoonishly evil, with little effort to humanize or complicate their motivations. The film's moral stance is evident: these people are irredeemable, and the system that protects them is corrupt. You might be disappointed if you're looking for depth or a fresh take on the corrupting power of wealth. However, the film's bold and brash approach can also be its strength, offering a cathartic, darkly comedic experience for viewers who enjoy watching the powerful get their comeuppance.

The characters' over-the-top nature and absurdly evil behavior provide a sense of indulgence in the spectacle of it all. Although the film is shallow in its critique, the satirical punches still land hard enough to make an impact. It's the kind of movie where you can sit back, enjoy the ride, and not have to think too hard about what it's trying to say.

Ultimately, Veni Vidi Vici is still a sharp and stylish commentary on the excesses of the ultra-rich. The lack of nuance doesn't detract too much from the sheer fun of watching a family of billionaires get taken down a peg—or, in some cases, by a sniper rifle.

— 3 / 5 ⭐