In his directorial debut and produced by Blumhouse Productions, B.J. Novak's Vengeance was recently released in theaters and follows the story of a progressive young journalist from New York City whose presence in a small rural town in Texas for the funeral of a girl he hooked up with, Abilene's, that becomes an investigative attempt to find the true cause of her death.
While Novak's character searches for the conspiracy around his girlfriend's death, he receives a culture shock when he interacts with the people from the town. The modern dark comedy and satire strive to comment on the divisive culture in American politics and feature Novak's signature humor and an all-star recognizable cast with notable credits.
B.J. Novak (The Office)
In addition to his directorial debut, B.J. Novak also stars in the movie as Ben Manalowitz, the star journalist who travels to Texas in his investigative efforts. Novak's most recognizable performance is as Ryan Howard on all nine seasons of The Office alongside John Krasinski and Steve Carell. Novak played the temp worker who Carell's Michael Scott becomes infatuated with.
B.J. Novak's most recent major project includes the anthology series The Premise on FX, a comedic satire that centered around several characters dealing with current sociopolitical issues. Novak directed, wrote, and produced the series. Novak has also worked as a guest star on series like The Mindy Project, Community, and My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Boyd Holbrook (Narcos)
Boyd Holbrook stars as Ty Shaw, the brother of Manalowitz's girlfriend who passes away. Most recently cast in the untitled fifth Indiana Jones, Holbrook has been gaining more notable roles after his breakout performance in Netflix's Narcos as DEA Agent Steve Murphy in the first two seasons, based on the drug lord Pablo Escobar in Colombia.
He gained more recognition as the antagonist Donald Pierce alongside Hugh Jackman in the highly-acclaimed sequel, Logan. He also previously worked with B.J. Novak on an episode of The Premise.
Dove Cameron (Descendants)
Playing the Shaw sister, Dove Cameron stars as Kansas City in the movie alongside Holbrook. Dove Cameron's most notable performances include her breakout roles on Disney Channel as both twins on the sitcom Liv & Maddie as well as the daughter of Maleficent, one of Disney Channel's best villains, in the musical movie franchise Descendants.
Aside from making music, she has starred as Ruby Hale in a recurring role on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as the voice of Ghost Spider on the Marvel Rising specials. She most recently starred as Betsy on Apple TV+'s, Schmigadoon as a ditzy waitress who falls in love with Keegan Michael-Key's character against her father's wishes.
Issa Rae (Insecure)
Issa Rae stars as Eloise who works with Novak's character and attempts to help him solve the case of his girlfriend's death. Issa Rae garnered praise for her performance as Issa Dee, as well as co-creator and co-writer, in HBO's Insecure about a young Black woman's experiences which ran for five seasons and ended in early 2022.
Becoming one of the most notable and influential names in Hollywood, she has starred in a variety of movies such as Little alongside Regina Hall as April Williams, the assistant to a controlling boss who suddenly becomes eight years old again. She also worked with Lakeith Sanfield in the romance movie The Photograph and opposite Kumail Nanjiani in the romantic comedy The Lovebirds.
Ashton Kutcher (That '70s Show)
Ashton Kutcher joins the cast as Quellen Sellers, a producer in a small town in Texas, who works with Novak's character. Kutcher had previously worked with Novak on an episode of his show Punk'd and was excited to work with him again (IndieWire).
Kutcher is primarily known for his work in sitcom television, starring as aloof Michael Kelson in That 70's Show, alongside his future wife Mila Kunis, and as billionaire Walden Schmidt on Two & A Half Men. Kutcher has starred in a number of romantic comedies such as Just Married opposite Brittany Murphy, and No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman.
J. Smith-Cameron (Succession)
J. Smith-Cameron joins the cast of the movie as Abilene's mom, Sharon Shaw. Despite her multiple guest-star appearances in shows like Law & Order, Madam Secretary, and The Good Wife, Smith-Cameron achieved widespread recognition through her Emmy-nominated role as Gerri Kellman on the award-winning HBO series Succession.
In the show, she plays the godmother to Shiv, the only daughter in the wealthy family, and often provides mentorship and advice to the other characters on the show, particularly young reckless Roman. Though her role was originally minor and written for a man, her performance was well-received and could potentially see her winning an Emmy for the role.
Lio Tipton (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
Lio Tipton stars as Abilene, Novak's character's romantic interest whose death was originally believed to be caused by death overdose. As Manalowitz investigates further into her death, he starts to learn more about the person he refused to get to know deeply. Tipton won third place on the eleventh cycle of America's Next Top Model before working as an actor.
Tipton guest-starred in two episodes of The Big Bang Theory and Why Women Kill. They received wider recognition when they portrayed Jessica Riley, the babysitter and one of the most likable characters, in Crazy, Stupid, Love who becomes infatuated with Steve Carell's character.
John Mayer (Get Hard)
In a minor role, John Mayer returns to acting as John, one of Manalowitz's friends at the beginning of the movie before he travels to Texas. John Mayer is known mostly for his music, with hits like "Your Body Is A Wonderland" and "Gravity."
John Mayer has stated that he only works in his friend's movies which is why he starred in this movie with his long-time friend Novak (The Hollywood Reporter). He had a brief cameo as himself in Get Hard alongside Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart as well as a truck driver in the campy horror movie Zombeavers.
Isabella Amara (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Another one of Abilene's sisters, Isabella Amara plays Paris Shaw in the movie. Still growing in the movie industry, she had a minor role as Sally Avril in Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War as a member of Peter Parker's decathlon team. She was seen surviving Thanos' snap and consequently graduated from Midtown High before the events of Far From Home and No Way Home.
She most recently starred as Luna, the Kat-like character in Lexi Howard's play in the second season of Euphoria. Vengeance is one of her first more notable performances.
Zach Villa (American Horror Story: 1984)
Zach Villa plays Sancholo, a citizen of the small Texan town that Manalowski visits. He has made many minor appearances in shows like Archer, Shameless, and Station 19. He voiced Carlos in the short-lived adult animated series Bordertown.
He got his breakout role as serial killer Richard Ramirez in season 8 of American Horror Story: 1984. He continued his venture into horror as a minor role in Netflix's Station 19 as Chris Lee. Vengeance is his first theatrical movie release.