1. Spawn 1997，IMDB Rating: 5.2, IMDB Votes: 72871, ID: 0120177 Photo by telepedia.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Spawn follows Al Simmons, who, after betrayal and death, is reborn as the demonic avenger Spawn, losing his humanity while grappling with haunting choices about those he once cherished, all under the shadow of the Joker’s chilling presence.
2. Constantine 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 378540, ID: 0360486 Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 In Constantine, John Constantine battles hell’s demons to atone for his past, embodying a superhero with a hauntingly dark edge as he confronts both external threats and profound guilt from his previous life.
3. Blade II 2002，IMDB Rating: 6.7, IMDB Votes: 236840, ID: 0187738 Photo by blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The narrative of Brad, the half-human, half-vampire hero, unfolds as he allies with former enemies to combat a terrifying new breed of super-vampires, navigating a life marred by isolation and the struggle against his own vampiric nature.
4. Deadpool 2 2018，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 666887, ID: 5463162 Photo by blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A continuation of the humour and out-of-the-box style of its predecessor. The film tells the story of Deadpool, who has hit a low point after losing the love of his life. Deadpool’s propensity for violence, his indifference to society, and his warped understanding of justice, while he continues to act heroically, these actions are often a reaction to his own internal wounds that he can’t erase.
5. The Suicide Squad 2021，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 416106, ID: 6334354 Photo by coyotepr.uk, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Suicide Squad showcases a group of supervillains compelled by a covert government agency to undertake perilous missions, revealing that even the ‘bad guys’ possess complex emotional backstories and deep-seated trauma.
6. Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn 2020，IMDB Rating: 6.1, IMDB Votes: 267341, ID: 7713068 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY ND 4.0 Birds of Prey dives into Harley Quinn’s tumultuous journey following her breakup with the Joker, illustrating her transformation into a target in Gotham, where her fierce independence coexists with the scars of a toxic relationship.
7. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For 2014，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 171427, ID: 0458481 Photo by wordpress.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Continuing from its predecessor, the film intertwines dark tales within the corrupted world of Basin City, presenting characters who, while not conventional heroes, exhibit hero-like traits amidst their undeniable flaws.
8. Blade: Trinity 2004，IMDB Rating: 5.8, IMDB Votes: 190000, ID: 0359013 Photo by blog.hu, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Blade’s ongoing battle against vampires intensifies as he confronts the formidable super-vampire Drake, revealing the anti-hero’s struggles with superhuman prowess and inner turmoil that make him a compelling character.
9. The Mask 1994，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 426953, ID: 0110475 Photo by deviantart.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Mask is about an ordinary bank clerk, Stanley Ipkiss, who transforms into a superhuman superhero, The Masked Man, after accidentally obtaining a mysterious mask. Under the influence of the mask, he not only displays unstoppable strength and unlimited freedom, but also gradually falls into a desire for power and control. This change makes him an ‘anti-hero’ who is not bound by rules.
10. Road to Perdition 2002，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 286552, ID: 0257044 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Road to Perdition is about Michael Salki, a ruthless mob enforcer, who is thrown into a spiral of destiny by a betrayal. As with the challenges faced by many superheroes, Michael’s dark side lies in his obsession with vengeance and the far-reaching consequences of that choice for himself and his family.
11. Oldeuboi 2003，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 644935, ID: 0364569 Photo by hancinema.net, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Oldeuboi chronicles Wu Daxiu’s harrowing 15-year imprisonment before his quest for vengeance, painting a portrait of an anti-hero consumed by violence and conflict, driven not by righteousness but by personal retribution.
12. American Splendor 2003，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 52720, ID: 0305206 Photo by wordpress.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 This biopic delves into the life of cartoonist Harvey Pekar, showcasing how he transforms mundane experiences into profound artistry through cartooning, all while reflecting on the intricacies of human nature and societal apathy.
13. A History of Violence 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 254696, ID: 0399146 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 A History of Violence is about Tom Stewart, a quiet American family man who runs a small restaurant and leads a seemingly ordinary life. However, a heroic act reveals his hidden violent past. Tom is burdened with a violent past that becomes part of his ‘heroic’ image, but also reveals his deepest conflicts and depravity.
14. Snowpiercer 2013，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 392865, ID: 1706620 Photo by olivian.ro, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Snowpiercer is set in an extremely cold post-apocalyptic world where the last surviving humans travel on a never-ending train that is divided into different classes of compartments with strict social hierarchies. While Curtis initially comes across as a brave and righteous leader, when faced with life-and-death decisions and trials, Curtis makes unscrupulous decisions and finds himself unwittingly becoming the oppressor as well.
15. The Toxic Avenger 1984，IMDB Rating: 6.2, IMDB Votes: 32663, ID: 0090190 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Toxic Avenger tells the story of Melvin, a timid caretaker turned mutated superhero after an accident in toxic waste, who, despite his intention to fight crime, spirals into increasingly violent and extreme actions as he seeks revenge.
Exploring the Gritty Depths: 15 Unforgettable R-Rated Comic Book Movies That Redefine Superheroes
