[Gallery] The Dark Side of the Hero: 20 Movies Where the Protagonist Realizes He's Not the Good Guy at the End

Falling Down 1993，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 8.0
Falling Down is a psychological thriller film that explores the dark side of an ordinary man who snaps under the pressure of his personal and social problems. The film follows William Foster, a divorced and unemployed former defense engineer, as he tries to reach his daughter’s birthday party in Los Angeles. Along the way, he encounters various obstacles and frustrations that trigger his violent and erratic behavior. He also clashes with a retiring police sergeant, Martin Prendergast, who is tracking his crimes across the city. The film shows how Foster gradually realizes that he is not the good guy he thinks he is, but rather a dangerous and unstable person who has lost touch with reality. The film ends with a confrontation between Foster and Prendergast, where Foster admits that he is “the bad guy” and asks Prendergast to kill him.
Shutter Island 2010，IMDB Rating: 8.2，Douban Rating: 8.8
Shutter Island is a 2010 neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Teddy Daniels, a U.S. marshal who investigates the disappearance of a patient from a psychiatric facility on an isolated island. Along with his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), Teddy uncovers a shocking truth about the place and himself. The film is one of the examples of movies where the protagonist realizes he’s not the good guy at the end. In fact, Teddy is not even his real name, but an alias he created to escape his guilt for killing his wife Dolores (Michelle Williams), who had drowned their three children. He is actually Andrew Laeddis, the most dangerous patient on the island, who has been subjected to an elaborate role-play experiment by Dr. Cawley (Ben Kingsley) and Dr. Naehring (Max von Sydow) to cure him of his delusions. The film explores themes such as identity, memory, trauma, and morality.
Primal Fear 1996，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 8.5
Primal Fear is a 1996 legal thriller starring Richard Gere as Martin Vail, a high-profile defense attorney who takes on the case of Aaron Stampler, a young altar boy accused of murdering and mutilating a Catholic archbishop. Aaron, played by Edward Norton in his film debut, suffers from amnesia and a stutter, and claims to be innocent. However, as Vail investigates the case, he uncovers a web of corruption, blackmail, and sexual abuse involving the archbishop and his associates. He also discovers that Aaron has a hidden personality named Roy, who is violent, cunning, and remorseless. The film explores the themes of deception, manipulation, and identity, as Vail tries to prove Aaron’s insanity and save him from the death penalty, while Aaron reveals his true nature and motives.Primal Fear is one of the movies where the protagonist realizes he’s not the good guy at the end. Vail, who initially believes he is defending an innocent victim, learns that he has been duped by Aaron and Roy, who orchestrated the murder and the trial to get away with it. Aaron admits that he killed the archbishop because he was angry at him for abusing him and his girlfriend Linda, who also died. He also confesses that he has no stutter, no amnesia, and no split personality. He says that Roy is his real self, and Aaron is his act. He thanks Vail for his help and mocks him for being naive. Vail is left shocked and devastated by Aaron’s betrayal, realizing that he has been outsmarted by a sociopath.
Fight Club 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.8，Douban Rating: 9.0
Fight Club 1999 is a film based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. It tells the story of an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton) who suffers from insomnia and dissatisfaction with his white-collar job. He meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a charismatic soap salesman who introduces him to an underground fight club, where men vent their frustrations and unleash their primal instincts. The narrator becomes addicted to the fight club, which soon evolves into a larger anti-consumerist and anti-corporate movement called Project Mayhem, led by Tyler. However, the narrator soon realizes that Tyler is not who he seems to be, and that he has a dark and dangerous plan for the world.Fight Club 1999 is one of the most controversial and influential films of the 1990s. It explores themes such as masculinity, identity, nihilism, consumerism, violence, and anarchism. It has been praised for its direction, acting, screenplay, cinematography, editing, and soundtrack, but also criticized for its violence, misogyny, and glorification of terrorism. It has a cult following and has inspired many parodies, references, and homages in popular culture. It is considered by some critics as one of the best films of all time, and by others as one of the worst.
Memento 2000，IMDB Rating: 8.4，Douban Rating: 8.6
Memento is a 2000 film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on a short story by his brother Jonathan Nolan. The film follows Leonard Shelby, a man who suffers from anterograde amnesia, which prevents him from forming new memories. He uses a system of photographs, notes, and tattoos to track down the man who killed his wife, but he also has to deal with the manipulation of others who may have ulterior motives.The film is famous for its non-linear narrative, which alternates between two sequences: one in black-and-white that shows the events in chronological order, and one in color that shows the events in reverse order. The two sequences converge at the end of the film, revealing the shocking truth about Leonard’s quest.Memento is a brilliant example of a movie where the protagonist realizes he’s not the good guy at the end. Without spoiling too much, the film explores the themes of memory, perception, revenge, and self-deception, and how they affect Leonard’s morality and identity. The film also challenges the audience to question their own assumptions and judgments, as they try to piece together the puzzle of Leonard’s story.Memento is widely regarded as one of the best films of the 2000s, and one of Nolan’s masterpieces. It received critical acclaim and numerous awards and nominations, including two Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing. It also has a cult following among fans who appreciate its complex and innovative storytelling.
The Others 2001，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 8.2
The Others is a 2001 horror film that explores the theme of self-deception and the consequences of living in denial. The film follows Grace, a devout Catholic mother who lives with her two children, Anne and Nicholas, in a secluded mansion on the Channel Island of Jersey. The children suffer from a rare condition that makes them allergic to sunlight, so Grace keeps the house in perpetual darkness and follows strict rules to protect them. She hires three new servants, Mrs. Mills, Mr. Tuttle, and Lydia, who seem to know more about the house than they let on. Grace soon becomes convinced that the house is haunted by intruders who claim to be the rightful owners of the place.She tries to defend her family from the supernatural threats, but she gradually realizes that she is not the victim, but the villain of the story. The film reveals that Grace and her children are actually ghosts who died after she killed them in a fit of madness. The intruders are the new occupants of the house, who are trying to communicate with them through a séance. Grace has been in denial of her own actions and has created a delusional reality for herself and her children. The film ends with Grace accepting the truth and deciding to coexist peacefully with the living.
Pumpkinhead 1988，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 5.9
Pumpkinhead 1988 is a supernatural horror film that features a vengeful demon summoned by a grieving father. The film is directed by Stan Winston, who is known for his special effects work on films like The Terminator, Aliens, and Jurassic Park. The film is based on a poem by Ed Justin and has a cult following among horror fans.The film follows Ed Harley, a widowed store owner who lives with his young son Billy in the rural countryside. When Billy is accidentally killed by a group of reckless teenagers on dirt bikes, Ed seeks the help of a witch named Haggis to bring him back to life. However, Haggis tells him that she cannot resurrect the dead, but she can offer him revenge. She instructs him to dig up a corpse from an old graveyard and bring it to her cabin. There, she uses blood from Ed and Billy to reanimate the corpse as Pumpkinhead, a monstrous creature that will hunt down and kill the teenagers responsible for Billy’s death.However, Ed soon realizes that he has made a terrible mistake, as he feels the pain and suffering of Pumpkinhead’s victims through a psychic link. He also learns that he cannot stop Pumpkinhead unless he kills himself or destroys the corpse that gave it life. As Pumpkinhead slaughters the teenagers one by one, Ed tries to find a way to end the curse and save the remaining survivors.
Identity 2003，IMDB Rating: 7.3，Douban Rating: 8.8
Identity is a mystery thriller film that follows ten strangers who are stranded at a remote motel during a storm and are killed off one by one by an unknown assailant. The film is inspired by Agatha Christie’s novel And Then There Were None, and has a twist ending that reveals the true identity of the killer and the connection between the characters. The film explores the theme of dissociative identity disorder, as the protagonist realizes he is not the good guy at the end, but one of the personalities of a convicted murderer who is facing execution.
The Sixth Sense 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.9
The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist who tries to help Cole Sear, a young boy who can see and communicate with the dead. The movie explores the themes of guilt, redemption, and self-deception, as Malcolm and Cole struggle to cope with their abilities and their pasts. The movie is famous for its twist ending, which reveals that Malcolm has been dead all along, and that Cole is the only one who can see him. The movie was a critical and commercial success, earning six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay for M. Night Shyamalan, Best Supporting Actor for Haley Joel Osment, and Best Supporting Actress for Toni Collette.
The Usual Suspects 1995，IMDB Rating: 8.5，Douban Rating: 8.6
The Usual Suspects is a 1995 thriller film directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. It stars Kevin Spacey as Roger “Verbal” Kint, a disabled con man who is one of the only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked in Los Angeles. He tells the story of how he and four other criminals, played by Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Kevin Pollak, and Benicio Del Toro, were hired by a mysterious crime lord named Keyser Söze to steal $91 million worth of cocaine from a rival gang. The film is famous for its twist ending that reveals the true identity of Keyser Söze and the unreliable nature of Verbal’s narration. The film explores themes of deception, identity, morality, and justice.The Usual Suspects is considered one of the best films of the 1990s and one of the greatest twist endings in cinema history. It won two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Spacey. It was also nominated for three BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. The film has been praised for its complex plot, clever dialogue, suspenseful atmosphere, and stellar performances. The film has also been criticized for its depiction of violence, stereotypes, and misogyny. The film has been influenced by other films such as Rashomon, The Sting, and The Big Sleep.
The Machinist 2004，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 7.6
The Machinist is a psychological thriller that explores the themes of guilt, identity, and self-deception. The protagonist, Trevor Reznik, is a machinist who suffers from extreme insomnia and paranoia. He becomes involved in a series of mysterious events that make him doubt his own sanity and reality. He is haunted by a mysterious man named Ivan, who he believes is responsible for a horrific accident at his workplace that cost his coworker his arm. He also finds clues that suggest he is being framed for a hit-and-run murder. He tries to find answers by investigating Ivan’s identity and whereabouts, but he only discovers more disturbing secrets about himself and his past. The movie reveals that Trevor is actually the one who caused the accident and the hit-and-run, and that Ivan is a figment of his imagination, representing his guilt and remorse. Trevor has been suppressing his memories of these crimes for a year, and his insomnia and weight loss are the result of his subconscious trying to punish him. He finally confesses to the police and accepts his fate, hoping to find peace in his sleep.
The Prestige 2006，IMDB Rating: 8.5，Douban Rating: 8.9
The Prestige is a film about two rival magicians in 1890s London who compete to create the ultimate illusion and face the consequences of their choices. The film is based on the novel by Christopher Priest and directed by Christopher Nolan, who is known for his complex and nonlinear storytelling. The film stars Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier, a showman who seeks to discover the secret of his enemy’s trick, and Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, a mysterious and obsessive magician who has a dark secret of his own. The film also features Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Andy Serkis, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, the inventor who plays a crucial role in the plot.The film explores the themes of obsession, sacrifice, identity, deception, and rivalry, as well as the nature of magic and reality. The film is full of twists and turns that challenge the audience’s perception and understanding of the story. The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.The film is relevant to the topic of 10 Movies Where the Protagonist Realizes He’s Not the Good Guy at the End, because it shows how both Angier and Borden are willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their goals, even if it means hurting themselves or others. The film also reveals that both magicians have been deceived by each other and by themselves, and that their actions have tragic consequences. The film ends with a shocking revelation that changes everything we thought we knew about the characters and their illusions.
American Psycho 2000，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 7.8
American Psycho is a 2000 satirical psychological horror film based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a New York City investment banker who leads a double life as a serial killer. The film is one of the 10 movies where the protagonist realizes he’s not the good guy at the end, as it explores the themes of consumerism, narcissism, and identity in the 1980s yuppie culture.The film follows Bateman as he indulges in his violent and hedonistic fantasies, killing people who annoy him or threaten his status. He also tries to maintain his appearance of success and normalcy among his shallow and competitive peers, who often mistake him for someone else. Bateman becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional, losing his grip on reality and his sense of self.The film ends with a twist that reveals that some of Bateman’s murders may have never happened, or that they were covered up by his powerful connections. Bateman confesses his crimes to his lawyer, but he dismisses him as a joke, thinking he is someone else. Bateman realizes that he will never be caught or punished for his actions, and that he is trapped in his meaningless and empty existence. He also realizes that he is not special or unique, but just another faceless and interchangeable cog in the machine of capitalism.
The Truman Show 1998，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 9.3
The Truman Show is a psychological comedy-drama film that explores the theme of simulated reality and the nature of free will. The film stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, a man who has been living his entire life as the unwitting star of a reality TV show that broadcasts his every move to millions of viewers. Truman’s world is a giant dome filled with actors and hidden cameras, controlled by the show’s creator and executive producer, Christof (Ed Harris). Truman gradually becomes aware of the artificiality of his life and decides to escape from his scripted existence.The film is a clever satire of the media and consumer culture, as well as a poignant commentary on the human condition. The film raises questions about the ethics of manipulating someone’s life for entertainment, the value of authenticity and individuality, and the power of imagination and curiosity. The film also showcases Carrey’s versatility as an actor, as he delivers a nuanced and emotional performance that balances humor and drama. The film was critically acclaimed and received several nominations and awards, including three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Original Screenplay.
The Game 1997，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 7.7
The Game 1997 is a mystery thriller film directed by David Fincher, starring Michael Douglas as Nicholas Van Orton, a wealthy and isolated investment banker who receives a strange birthday gift from his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn). The gift is a voucher for a game offered by a company called Consumer Recreation Services (CRS), which promises to provide a unique and life-changing experience. Nicholas decides to apply for the game, but soon regrets it as he finds himself in a series of dangerous and bizarre situations that blur the line between reality and fiction. He becomes paranoid and desperate to end the game, but he does not know who to trust or how to escape.The film is one of the examples of movies where the protagonist realizes he’s not the good guy at the end, as Nicholas discovers that the game was actually a elaborate scheme orchestrated by Conrad and CRS to make him appreciate his life and reconnect with his brother. The game was also a way of recreating their father’s suicide, which Nicholas witnessed when he was 48 years old, the same age as Nicholas in the film. The film ends with Nicholas jumping off the roof of a building, believing it is the only way to stop the game, but he lands on a giant airbag and is greeted by Conrad and other participants who reveal that everything was part of the game. Nicholas is shocked and relieved, but also angry and confused. He hugs Conrad and thanks him for the gift, but he also questions his sanity and reality.
Old Boy 2003，IMDB Rating: 8.4，Douban Rating: 8.2
Old Boy (2003) is an action-thriller film from South Korea, directed by Park Chan-wook. Based on the Japanese manga Old Boy, it tells the story of Oh Dae-su (played by Choi Min-sik), who was imprisoned for 15 years without reason and plans revenge to uncover the identity and motives of his captor. The film won the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival and received worldwide acclaim.The film depicts the protagonist Oh Dae-su discovering secrets from his past, confronting a truth and guilt that differs from what he had believed. In this process, Oh Dae-su realizes that his revenge is meaningless and misguided, ultimately becoming a person who cannot forgive himself.This film is not a simple revenge drama, but a complex and cruel exploration of human psychology and identity. While watching this film, you will ponder whether you are truly a good person and what you need to do to become one.
The Talented Mr. Ripley 1999，IMDB Rating: 7.4，Douban Rating: 8.2
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a psychological thriller based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, set in the 1950s. It follows the story of Tom Ripley, a con artist who is hired by a wealthy businessman to persuade his son Dickie, a spoiled playboy living in Italy, to return home. However, Ripley becomes obsessed with Dickie and his lavish lifestyle, and resorts to extreme measures to keep up his deception and identity theft.The film explores the themes of identity, morality, sexuality, and class, as Ripley manipulates and murders his way through Dickie’s circle of friends and acquaintances. The film also features stunning locations, costumes, and music that capture the atmosphere of the era. The film stars Matt Damon as Ripley, Jude Law as Dickie, Gwyneth Paltrow as Marge, Dickie’s girlfriend, Cate Blanchett as Meredith, a socialite who mistakes Ripley for Dickie, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Freddie, Dickie’s suspicious friend.The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Law. The film is considered one of the best adaptations of Highsmith’s work and one of the best films of 1999.
Atonement 2007，IMDB Rating: 7.8，Douban Rating: 8.4
Atonement is a film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name, directed by Joe Wright and starring James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, and Vanessa Redgrave. It tells the story of a young girl, Briony Tallis, who falsely accuses her sister’s lover, Robbie Turner, of raping her cousin, Lola Quincey, in 1935. This accusation destroys the lives of Robbie and Cecilia, Briony’s sister, who are separated by war and social class. Briony spends the rest of her life trying to atone for her mistake, while Robbie and Cecilia struggle to survive and reunite.Atonement is a film that explores the themes of love, guilt, forgiveness, and the power of storytelling. It is also a film that challenges the audience’s perception of reality and fiction, as it reveals that Briony is the unreliable narrator of the story, and that the happy ending she imagines for Robbie and Cecilia is a lie. The film is divided into four parts: Part One shows the events of the fateful day in 1935 from different perspectives; Part Two follows Robbie’s journey as a soldier in France during World War II; Part Three focuses on Briony’s work as a nurse in London during the Blitz; and Part Four shows an elderly Briony as a successful novelist who confesses her crime on a television show.
Unforgiven 1992，IMDB Rating: 8.2，Douban Rating: 8.5
Unforgiven 1992 is a revisionist western film that challenges the traditional myths and morals of the genre. It tells the story of William Munny, a former outlaw and killer who comes out of retirement to hunt down two cowboys who slashed a prostitute’s face in a town ruled by a ruthless sheriff. Along with his old friend Ned Logan and a young wannabe gunslinger, the Schofield Kid, Munny faces his past and his present in a violent and unforgiving world.I watched this film as part of my blog series on 10 Movies Where the Protagonist Realizes He’s Not the Good Guy at the End. I was intrigued by how this film portrays the complexity and ambiguity of good and evil, and how it subverts the expectations of the audience. According to some articles I found on Bing, Unforgiven is considered one of the best westerns ever made, and one of Clint Eastwood’s finest works as both an actor and a director. It won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Blade Runner 1982，IMDB Rating: 8.1，Douban Rating: 8.4
Blade Runner 1982 is a science fiction film that explores the theme of what it means to be human in a dystopian future where bio-engineered androids called replicants are hunted down by special agents known as blade runners. The film is based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick and directed by Ridley Scott.The film follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a retired blade runner who is reluctantly assigned to track down and retire four Nexus-6 replicants who have escaped from an off-world colony and returned to Earth. The replicants, led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), are seeking their creator, Dr. Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel), in hopes of extending their short lifespan. Along the way, Deckard meets and falls in love with Rachael (Sean Young), a replicant who believes she is human.The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest science fiction films of all time, as well as a landmark of neo-noir and cyberpunk genres. It is praised for its visionary production design, atmospheric soundtrack, complex themes, and philosophical questions. It also features one of the most memorable endings in cinema history, where Batty delivers a poignant monologue before dying, and Deckard discovers that Rachael may be in danger from another blade runner.Blade Runner 1982 is a film that challenges the viewer to question their own identity, morality, and humanity in a world where the line between artificial and natural is blurred. It is a film that has influenced many other works of science fiction, and has spawned a sequel, Blade Runner 2049, released in 2017.