Why Do So Many Recent Movies Have Violent Protagonists?
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Dec. 27, 2023, 5:45 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
I saw a trailer for The Beekeeper, starring Jason Statham, and I have no intention of seeing that movie, because I am not a fan of either Jason Statham or that style of movie, but I noticed that, in the trailer, Statham's character violently murdered or maimed other people, despite the fact that he was the hero, and I actually have noticed that, in recent years, there have been many action movies in which the supposed heroes are extremely violent, and I severely dislike that, since I feel that heroes need to be held to higher moral standards than other characters.
When I was younger, heroes in fiction killed only when doing so was absolutely necessary, and, when they did, they did so quickly and relatively painlessly, so I am sickened at movies where characters who are supposed to be the heroes are virtually indistinguishable from the villains.
What does everyone else say about this? Why are there so many movies recently in which the heroes are as violent as are the villains, and what can be done to return to movies in which the heroes hold themselves to higher moral standards?
I remember reading somewhere (I'll dig up a source if I think of it) that zombie and vampire media stories increase during economic instability. I wonder if there's a similar correlation for protagonist violence.
What can be done? Well, as sergiodelrio mentioned, cultural tastes change, so the easiest thing to do it just to wait. Also, there's still plenty of nonviolent and non-violent-protagonist stories being produced for all age ranges, so it shouldn't be too hard to find an action/thriller/whatever that fits your desires.
December 27, 2023 7:50 p.m.
SteelSentry says... #4
Shortly after the time John Wick came out, someone pointed out to me that a lot of action movies were moving towards revenge plots, which I have increasingly noticed myself. Whether John Wick was the catalyst or just a symptom, I couldn't say; revenge plots don't really lend themselves to starring moral paragons though.
Like sergiodelrio mentioned, the 80s was chock full of ultraviolence and action, and before that you had Clint Eastwood playing The Man with No Name. I'm sure a more knowledgeable person could come up with reasons why characters like this fade in and out of pop culture, but my film study is a bit lacking to speculate.
December 28, 2023 12:29 a.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #5
legendofa, I did read somewhere that horror movies have a strong tendency to reflect society's fears at the time, so I suppose that that is related to this subject, in some way.
December 28, 2023 8:55 a.m.
jethstriker says... #6
When I was a kid I also used to think that protagonist equates to being a good guy. But if you look at the definition of protagonist, its a character whose the focus and whose p.o.v. the story is being told at. Doesn't necessarily mean if that character is the good or a bad guy.
December 28, 2023 7:40 p.m.
DemonDragonJ says... #7
jethstriker, that is true, but, if the story is told from the perspective of a character who is very violent, I fear that the story could be seen as promoting or glorifying such violent behavior.
December 28, 2023 8:11 p.m.
sergiodelrio says... #8
Personally, I look for a movie to entertain me, not educate me.
By default, a movie does not promote anything imho, unless you let it get to you. Obviously ppl have different opinions on this, but don't fall into the fallacy of connecting messages in movies or entertainment media in general (looking at you, videogames) with IRL behavior.
It doesn't hold up ihmo, and there is no need to be afraid of these media negatively influencing viewers (there are always those who are easily influenced anyways, but they can, well, be easily influenced by anything and they will find sth else to be ill influenced by if there were no movies/games like those discussed).
Totally fair to say you don't like it or don't want to consume it tho.
Take the movie 'Commando' for example. That one is old. 90 minutes of Arnold Schwarzenegger slaughtering the people who kidnapped his daughter (Alyssa Milano), plus some, with brainless one-liner dialogue. I watch it once a year or so to have a good laugh... but I am not a violent person at all and I understand this is quite exaggerated fiction and pretty much nonsense.
Another example is the OG Dumb & Dumber. Now you might say, well, that's not a violent movie... however if you really analyze the movie, the protagonists behave like complete A-holes for most of the movie... would you say it promotes that behavior?
What about biopics? Goodfellas, one of my favorite movies... there are literally no "good folks" in that movie. But the audience understands, imho, that they are not supposed to be role models.
John Wick is an (ex-) assassin in a secret/parallel world of assassins... pretty much a fantasy movie at that point. I refuse to assume that people are going to believe Assassin is a solid career choice after watching those movies.
So TLDR, have some trust in people's judgement. Most people can differentiate good/bad behavior themselves. As for the younger audience, that's what the age ratings are there for.
sergiodelrio says... #2
I personally think it is an ebb and flow with what you describe, and we are just at a point in time again where it checks out for the audience.
80's action movies and pop culture was there before, comics too. Zeitgeist will change again.
Personally, I agree with your perception of a hero, and I like my heroes to have moral standards too, however I can enjoy a protagonist who doesn't, from time to time - they're simply no heroes.
December 27, 2023 6:15 p.m.