Even before the powerful figure genre became a popular phenomenon, stories about flesh-and-blood heroes captivated audiences. Especially those that featured characters who were shady, twisted, or even downright evil and embarked on a long road to redemption. Whether it’s exploring how the decision to do good has overcome all sorts of petty instincts, or the fact of enjoying complete transformation. The fact is that individuals redeemed by acts of courage, faith, or kindness are often They are the favorites in any story. Or at least ones that offer the challenge of understanding their deepest motivations.
From the hard way Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) abandons the dark side of the Star Wars saga for the heartbreaking final scene of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula. The truth is that the human journey of all types of villains shows how cinema can be about infinite gradations of morality. At the same time, like the best arguments, they usually provide space and interest for the possibility of transformation. Be it great heroism, a second chance, or simply finding a new purpose. Heroes who manage to redeem themselves through action will demonstrate the power of cinema to reveal human nature in all its aspects.
As proof, we leave you with five films featuring evil people who achieve redemption. From a robot who decided to fight for humanity, to a demon who overcame his cruel nature to prevent the apocalypse. The selection spans all dimensions of good and evil, with some of pop culture’s most interesting figures on full display. The most interesting part of this unique look at heroism with a vulnerable twist.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
After discovering all kinds of futuristic possibilities with Terminator In 1984, it took James Cameron time and effort to find a story of the same quality for a sequel. And he found it in the form of redemption. But instead of showing the evolution of a villain into a hero, they did something more interesting. Imagine what would happen if the menacing android T-800, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, was able to demonstrate the terrifying capabilities of a biomechanical mechanism. These include self-awareness, as well as choosing your path based on this experience.
Therefore, the director took the usual trope of a villain in search of good and analyzed the radical transformation that would affect the rest of the characters. The result is an interesting scenario Terminator 2: Judgment Dayalso authored by James Cameron.
The film tells how the terrifying robot fighter from the first part becomes an instrument of good. Moreover, John Connor (Edward Furlong) understands what awaits us in the future. Including the fact that your worst enemies can become your allies. A moment that from now on the saga will take you to different places.
Hancock
In 2008, director Peter Berg took a character who redeems himself through good deeds or realizes his evil deeds to delve into a curious idea. Namely: if an omnipotent being could recognize the boundaries between two things. Result Hancocksatire with dramatic overtones about a peculiar man who seeks redemption amid gloom and pessimism.
The main character, played by Will Smith, has no memory of his past. And not an explanation for his extraordinary abilities. Moreover, there is no desire to carry the burden of a superhero on your shoulders. But this is exactly what he will do to achieve recognition and respect in a world that looks at him with suspicion. Particularly when good intentions Ray (Jason Bateman) show him a real opportunity to do good and clear his name.
But things get a little worse when Hancock discovers that redemption comes with a price. One that also involves opening up about your past and considering the possibility of losing everything in order to do the right thing. The strangest and most painful message This film appears to poke fun at what ultimately results in a harsh look at power.
Detective Knight: Redemption
Bruce Willis’s likely final film role is the story of a hot-tempered cop looking for good. This is despite having to contend with the law, the American prison system, and a group of increasingly brutal enemies. But, As Detective Knight will show, any effort to fight crime involves some degree of redemption.
Beyond its core message, the film is a tribute to the traditional roles of its protagonist. In fact, the character played by Willis, with all his cynicism and little patience, is very similar to the John McClane for whom he became famous. But besides this, he is also a hero of a new type. who, despite all his shortcomings and harsh behavior, strives for heroism.
In its extravagant final scene, the film made two things clear. On the one hand, Knight is one of the characters who demonstrates that redemption is an act of iron will. And on the other hand, great people are not always They must be kind to be kind. A combination that Bruce Willis made believable and entertaining.
Hellboy Saga
Guillermo del Toro, obsessed with monsters, found a premise tailored to him in the character of Hellboy. This demon, who doesn’t want to be one, or at least doesn’t want to be defined by his horns and red skin, came to the movies in 2004.
At the time, this first approach to the curious world imagined by Mike Mignola was a real journey through a world full of symbols of good and evil. Played by Ron Perlman, the creature destined to cause a violent apocalypse became a fascinating character. Moreover, man is well aware of the desire to do good, despite his essentially evil nature.
But it was the second film, released in 2008, that made it clear that hellboy he was destined—or determined—to find redemption. In the midst of a more ambitious, strange and mythological plot, the cat demon once again chose the human world. That despite the temptation to destroy it and eventually become omnipotent. The best lesson a character leaves behind.
In the time of the witches
World history is full of violent events and ambiguous morals, but few are as controversial as the Crusades. Based on this idea, Dominique Sena’s film reflects on the evil caused by man and how the noblest souls can reject such things. In this case it will be two gentlemen. Behmen (Nicolas Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman) They will move away from the interests of the powerful and will fight for good alone.
But what begins as a vague goal ultimately becomes an act of redemption as together they must save the lives of victims across the European continent. Halfway between the possibility of good and the conviction of facing evil, The Time of the Witch is an interesting look at the decision to find justice. The element that makes this scenario real full of questions about the perversity of power, a unique script about faith and hope.
Source: Hiper Textual
