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Original Anti-hero films(boundless bad-guy protagonists)

posted 7 years ago by Chomsky89 (439)
17 replies | jump to latest

There are plenty of examples that the protagonist(s) are bad guy(s), but I think of those movies where Bad-guy protagonists do not have the usual "protagonist limits". For example, a criminal protagonist usually does not Harm people who have not chosen a criminal life or do not "deserve" it.

I think it can be refreshing to see a whole movie, mostly from the perspective of Bad guy-deluxe characters, Do you have any examples?

[–] actionkamen (23176) 7 years ago

The Godfather seems to fit your description, but not your title.

If it's an anti-hero film, the protagonist musn't a straight up bad guy. If it about a straight up bad guy then it's not an anti-hero movie then.

[–] Chomsky89 (439) 7 years ago

Okay, English is not my first language. The Godfather does not fit what I had in my mind.
I was thinking of movies like Bonnie and Clyde. or The cult Benicio del toro-movie "the way of the gun"
The protagonists have nothing against traumatizing or physically injure most types of people to get closer to their goals.
The difference being that in the Godfather, they clash with a certain type of people, who knew they might have something coming.

If the protagonist is a Psychopath, Serial killer/rapist, Robber, small-time crooks, etc, this would most likely be the type of movie I'm looking for. But the character does not have to fit in any of the categories above. Just be very bad, and not "charismatic" bad.

I know this types of characters are often given smaller parts, that's why it can be refreshing to get a whole movie from their perspective.

[–] Renovatio (2990) 7 years ago

American Psycho

[–] TexasJack (12516) 7 years ago

American Psycho

Natural Born Killers

[–] RussellNash (2087) 7 years ago

Mr. Brooks (2007)

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78561) 7 years ago

Taxi Driver
Travis Bickle was damaged from his war experiences and isolated from everyone else...he was an 'island' on the teeming island of Manhatten and needed a way to connect
I think his actions throughout the film show he was an anti-hero
This is the best example i can think of

HM: Bronson in Deathwish is a good example too i suppose

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

These are not movies, but Premium cable series that embody what you seek:

Dexter, on Showtime

Banshee, on Cinemax

Both shows have concluded their runs, but are available On Demand and disc sets. I'd advise not watching Dexter beyond the end of Season 4. This great show went into tailspin in the fifth, and subsequent, seasons.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78561) 7 years ago

Agree on Dexter...
I was addicted to that one the first four seasons and then it fell off in a big way
Never saw Banshee but friends say they like it

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

If you like action, Banshee has, hands down, the most brutal, ugly and realistic fight scenes that I've seen in ANYTHING that was made for TV, and better than most movies. Better than Spartacus? Yes! I loved that show, but it was a comic book.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78561) 7 years ago

Thank you for the suggestion R_Kane...always nice to hear from you

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

Not everybody feels that way!

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78561) 7 years ago

Youre opinionated, intelligent, experienced and always quite blunt...traits which i admire quit a bit
If others dont then forget them...
Pals.

[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Tyler Durden from Fight Club
The stranger from High Plains Drifter

[–] db20db (17743) 7 years ago

In The Shadows https://moviechat.org/tt0247427/In-the-Shadows is a perfect example then. The protagonist hit man in the film discovers that his intended target is actually wrongfully blamed for something and undeserving of the hit.

[–] godewey (16472) 7 years ago

I'm still not exactly sure what your looking for.

Movies like?

Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer
Ichi the Killer
Clockwork Orange
Funny Games
Man Bites Dog

[–] Chomsky89 (439) 7 years ago

Yes godewey, At least the ones I have seen on your list would fit. Thanks.