I have never read Nietzsche, but I have a feeling that this draws heavily from it. Even references the "God is dead" bit. I know Nietzsche wrote something about becoming a superman, and I think this has relevance too. The movie wears religious symbolism on its sleeve. It's essentially about sin and punishment. Max Cady is an unstoppable force of nature, practically inhuman. Originally a representative of the perceived lowest class of people ("white trash"), he ascends to a higher nature. His goal seems to be, more so than revenge, to make the protagonist admit his sins and repent. In essence, Max plays the role of a God. A God from man. Perhaps this is where the Nietzschean parallel comes into play, but like I said, I have no idea, for I haven't read Nietzsche. What I find interesting is how an entire seemingly complex personality, with convincing views and reflections, appreciation of arts and philosophy, is completely subservient to this goal of revenge. It's actually unintentionally (probably) deconstructive in a nihilistic sense. Because it deals with some seriously important concepts, but renders them all practically pointless, since they can be interpreted to match a simple and unethical goal.