In this episode, Kit introduces Colombiana, a high-intensity revenge thriller starring Zoë Saldana. Framed as a continuation of our Season 3 theme — "Stories That Stick" — this pick dives into the emotional power of vengeance, early trauma, and how female action protagonists are portrayed. Cade had never seen it before, making this a true first-take episode. And let’s just say... we both left the theater (or, the couch) with a lot to say.
🎥 The Format
Colombiana follows Cataleya, a young girl whose parents are murdered by a cartel boss in Colombia. What begins as a brutal act of violence sets her on a lifelong path of revenge. After narrowly escaping to the U.S., she’s raised by an uncle in a crime-connected family who trains her to become an assassin. By adulthood, Cataleya is executing a strategic series of kills across the country — leaving a trail of orchid-shaped clues as a message to the man who destroyed her life.
The film blends kinetic action scenes with emotionally charged stakes, and Zoë Saldana’s performance elevates what could’ve been a formulaic role into something far more precise and personal.
✅ What Makes It Work
Kit pointed out from the beginning that Colombiana stands apart for how it refuses to over-sexualize its lead. So often in cinema, female assassins are reduced to their looks or forced into manipulative seduction tactics. Cataleya’s power comes from her intelligence, her creativity, and her relentlessness.
The film’s opening 20 minutes are particularly strong — giving us a child’s-eye view of trauma, escape, and survival. The young actress portraying Cataleya as a child absolutely kills it (pun intended) with her physical stunts and layered emotional performance. Cade was especially impressed with how the film rooted Cataleya’s pain so early, which made the rest of the story feel emotionally grounded despite its high-octane pace.
Once grown, Cataleya’s methodical kills — from duct vent escapes to shark-infested mansions — are presented with choreographed precision. Each scene is more than just action; it’s storytelling through movement, layout, and design.
Kit also highlighted how the cinematography excels at intimacy in motion. Chase scenes are tight, up close, and viscerally felt — a signature style that made the action feel less like spectacle and more like survival.
🎯 The Verdict
This was a sleeper hit for both of us. Cade gave it an 8/10, and Kit matched that with another solid 8/10. It’s sleek, stylish, and smart — without falling into the usual femme fatale tropes.
It’s also a rare revenge movie that doesn’t feel exploitative. Instead of bloodlust for bloodlust’s sake, Cataleya’s violence is a direct extension of her grief and control. Every shot fired is a scream from a childhood stolen — and that’s what makes it stick.
🍿 Pair This Movie With...
A Xena Warrior Princess comic, a questionable bus ticket, and a conversation about the best revenge movies not led by Jason Statham.
🎤 Cade & Kit sign-off
We’re officially in the revenge arc of Season 3 — and this was a strong opener. Kit’s pick gave us a new lens on action heroines, and Cade’s reaction gave us one of our favorite deep-dive convos of the season so far. Next up? Cade’s revenge movie pick. Let’s just say… it’s nothing like Colombiana.
This episode was brought to you by...
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