sddavis63 This movie has a seedy feel to it - one could even call it "sleazy." That, however, isn't a criticism. It's quite appropriate actually, and it was clearly the feel that director Jon Hewitt needed to establish. The subject matter really left very little choice. How else could it feel?It's the story of two prostitutes who ply their trade in Sydney, Australia - one a veteran in the business who's ready to get out of it, and the other a younger girl just getting into the business. Both Viva Bianca (as Holly, the veteran) and Hanna Mangan Lawrence (as Shay, the rookie) played their parts well. Holly and Shay meet up on a "job," and while in their customers' apartment, hidden away in the bathroom when he gets an unexpected visit from a "business associate," they witness his murder. When the murderer (played by Stephen Bennett) realizes that he's been seen, he sets out to get Holly and Shay, and the movie turns into a fairly standard "chase" sort of movie, through Sydney's less desirable neighbourhoods I would say. There's an attempted twist around the identity of the murderer that didn't really catch me off guard. I hadn't thought about it, but it didn't come as a surprise when we found out who he was."X" features a lot of nudity, and some scenes of sexuality (again, what you would expect given the subject matter) and it's also at times rather violent - again, not a surprise. In many ways it's decent enough. Nothing special, but enough to keep you watching. The biggest weakness to the story, to me at least, revolved around the character of Harry, the taxi driver. He and Shay fall for each other during a taxi ride (yes, he got to catch her topless in the mirror, and that was enough to make him fall madly in love apparently!) His part in the story seemed completely unnecessary and totally unbelievable. I guess he serves to point out that Shay is torn between her perceived need to prostitute herself to survive, and her desire for a normal life with a nice guy. But their relationship just didn't come across as credible to me, and it really did weaken the whole story. (4/10)

Avid Climber X (Night of Vengeance) will get you blood pumping. All along the ride you will want the two girls to get out of it clean, but trouble will hound them mercilessly.It's gritty, it's dirty, it's sexy, it's not what you want to happen when on the job. You get to see the two very different sides of a single coin. You'll enjoy, because you'll get to understand some things, and imagine many others. It will grip you and it won't let you go until it is finished with you.A few things are off with this movie. Sometimes, you want a tighter scenario, editing, a more experienced camera work, or more fine tuning on the dialogs, but it's easily forgivable.Watch it only if you're ready for suspense and a good dose of the underground.

eivind-t-giskas ...because the main problem with this movie is the plot.It is bad and just a big mess.The acting is below average grade but the nudity is OK.The sex scenes are not exiting but rather boring.The film started well but as the minutes passed,i wanted to press the fast forward button because I was bored.By all means,this is not the worst movie i have ever seen.But with actor like Viva Bianca and director Jon Hewitt i had expected something better. This movie reminds me of Dane Giraud's "Luella Miller from 2005 in a way.There are probably many others who disagree with me but in my view,this film is not even worth the rental time.There are so many other good movies in this category.I can mention Djo Munga's Viva Riva,Phillip Noyce's Dead Calm and Giuseppe Tornatore's The Unknown Woman(La Sconosciuta).

samuel_dennis786 We all remember Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971) or Michael Haneke's Funny Games (1997) for example, well Jon Hewitt is following in large footsteps ...He's made a short, sharp and edgy thriller that's as effective and engaging as his Red Ball (1999), which was set in the world of corrupt cops. He has retained some of those elements but the central characters are two women, a 30 year old call girl hoping to start a new life and a 17 year old out of towner also hoping to start a new life, they meet on the streets of Kings Cross where fate awaits them in a hotel room. Viva Bianca is vivacious as the blonde Holly Rowe, a proud and determined woman who knows how to handle herself after 15 years as a hooker. Hanna Mangan Lawrence plays the homeless and broke Shay, a vulnerable newcomer dazed and confused by what she's got herself into.Characterisations are sufficient for the genre and the technicals are all excellent. Special mention to David Franzke and Byron Joel Scullin for the terrific sound & music scape. The screenplay links the story points with an authenticity that's satisfying and the thrills are well orchestrated, including a couple of street fights, a chase or two and some dramatic confrontations - as well as a surprise or two, It all comes together terrifically in a film that while blessed with more than a couple loose ends, still offers a stunning visual and emotional roller-coaster ride. It takes a while getting started and seems to follow a particular formula until—BANG! —a gunshot changes everything.X is a mostly-satisfying genre thriller.My RaTiNg- 7/10!!!