The Movies That Made Me REDUX REDUX writers/directors The McManus Brothers
Feb 13, 2026
Kevin McManus, filmmaker and half of the McManus Brothers duo, chats about their film Redux Redux and its roots. He discusses writing processes and the multiverse trend. Conversation explores revenge cinema from Memento and Blue Ruin to Tarantino, Oldboy, Drive, and the ethics of violent storytelling.
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Family Theater Sparked Filmmaking
- Kevin McManus recounts their mom's community-theater influence and Michaela's acting roots in their family filmmaking.
- He says they wrote and worked in her wake, giving all siblings exposure to performance and film-making.
Death Wish Defined A Template
- Kevin explains death wish set the template for revenge films and compelled countless imitators.
- They avoided a father-driven arc to prevent copying that male-kicking fantasy.
Differentiate Your Avenger
- Kevin recommends making a protagonist distinct to avoid genre clichés, e.g., make the avenger a mother not a father.
- This difference prevents your film from feeling like a Death Wish knockoff.