The Batman, released earlier this year, bought a new perspective on the Dark Knight. Instead of being the superhero that everyone recognizes him for, it focuses on Bruce Wayne finding his footing as a crime fighter, so at this stage, he is more of a masked vigilante and is not seen as a hero.
This vigilante subgenre has garnered more attention in the last decade, as films like John Wick, The Equalizer, and the Taken franchise have become as equally known as classics like Dirty Harry and Kill Bill. Whether it be a revenge-filled rage, or justice for the citizens of a terrorized town, the vigilante genre will always provide audiences with the justice they crave.
Punisher: War Zone (42%)
Starring Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, the film follows Castle as he turns the streets of New York City into a war zone. His mission is simple, seek revenge against the leader of a crime syndicate who was responsible for the death of his wife and two children.
Punisher: War Zone may have only grossed $7.9 million at the box office, but this action-packed shootout will be a fun ride for any vigilante enthusiast. While the writing isn't there, and there are no world-ending events at stake, this is a revenge-seeking, highly trained veteran who is seeking to inflict pain on those who wronged him.
Mandy (67%)
Set in the Pacific Northwest in 1983, Red Miller (Cage) and Mandy Bloom (Andrea Riseborough) lead a quiet, loving life in the woods. When this haven is brutally destroyed by a cult, Red is catapulted into a maniacal trance, leading him on a journey filled with bloody vengeance.
Mandy feels like a psychedelic trip for a large portion of the film, especially when the cult is shown. However, when jettisoned back into Red's perspective, it is clear who is now the hunted, versus the hunter. The ending is sure to satisfy fans of the genre, as Cage gives one of his most maniacal performances yet.
The Equalizer (76%)
In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays Robert McCall, a man of shrouded origins who believes his past is behind him. When his new friend Teri (Chloe Grace Mortez) is abused by aggressive Russian mobsters, McCall takes matters into his own hands.
The Equalizer hits on all cylinders when it comes to a vigilante thriller. Washington excels as McCall, as both a hardened vigilante and a figure with a tragic past. The casting, overall, is worthy of praise. David Harbour makes an excellent crooked cop, and the talented Marton Csokas shines with his intimidating yet graceful presence.
Sin City (78%)
A Sin City is a set of tales led by Mickey Rourke's vigilante character, who is tearing through the underworld in search of his lost love. Co-starring is Bruce Willis, who is a grizzled cop hell-bent on stopping the future plans of a child-killer (Nick Stahl).
The star-studded film feels like a world of its own, and it really is. The various tales going on simultaneously will leave audiences feeling these stories are bound to clash at any moment. At some point or another, every character takes the law into their own hands as the cast did a fantastic job at fleshing out their respective characters. Each character's motives, ambitions, and desires are all showcased, making every victory or defeat feel magnified.
Rambo: Last Blood (81%)
Rambo trying to find peace at his ranch in Arizona, he has become close with a woman named Maria and her teenage granddaughter Gabriela. When a Mexican cartel kidnaps Gabriela, Rambo begins a quest to punish those that are responsible.
One of the most iconic action stars, Stallone embodies the vigilante theme in many of his films. The Rambo franchise solidified Stallone's vigilante status with First Blood: Part II where Rambo is released from prison to find missing POWs in Vietnam, when Rambo defies his orders and attempts to rescue them, it sets a nearly 40-year precedent of things to come.
John Wick (81%)
John Wick revived Keanu Reeve's career in many ways. The film features him as the titular former assassin who attempts to live a normal life. However, when he is burglarized and his puppy is killed (who was a gift from his late wife), Wick is back to work and out for revenge.
John Wick showcased the vigilante theme to perfection. He lives by his own rules and follows his own moral codes. In fact, the first film shows police showing up at the crime scene, when they notice who it is, a simple "are you working again?" is all it takes to confirm John Wick is the perfect vigilante.
Kill Bill (85%)
The former assassin known as The Bride wakes from a coma years after an attempted murder. Now fueled with rage from a miscarriage as a result of the events, The Bride creates a hit list to avenge her unborn child and the years that were taken from her life.
Kill Bill. While critics argue that the film leans into the gore aspect more than it should, Tarantino will always go for the shock factor. As The Bride, there will be numerous times the character gives audiences this shock factor as she seeks vengeance.
The Batman (87%)
For argument’s sake, The Batman is included in this list because this version featured the young caped crusader using his detective skills. The film revolves around Batman following a trail of cryptic clues left by the Riddler. As the Riddler tries to show the corruption of Gotham through violent acts, it is Batman's mission to unmask him and bring an end to the abuse of power that has plagued the city.
This version is by no means a "superhero" yet. Half the film features Batman being hated by law enforcement and by all s, he follows his own moral codes. While Bruce Wayne does have the advantage of being a billionaire, the vigilante is still learning the crafts of the trade. In fact, while he relied on fear and brutal tactics during his beginning, Batman eventually evolves into realizing the symbol must bring hope, not fear.
Dirty Harry (90%)
One of the original and perhaps best vigilante films, Dirty Harry, has gunslinger Inspector Harry Callahan at the forefront, played by Clint Eastwood. After Callahan abuses the civil rights of a psychopathic murderer, the killer is put back on the streets. The murderer hijacks a school bus, forcing Harry to go after him again, this time, in cold blood.
Eastwood has nailed the vigilante character from being in the Dollars trilogy. A soft-spoken, yet carefully thought out phrase is all the audience will hear before Eastwood's character puts fresh steel into the villain. Clint has made a name for being the vigilante, the good guy with a bad attitude, and this is displayed at its best in Dirty Harry.
Nobody (94%)
The film can be described as a mashup between John Wick and The Equalizer, and it is aware of its own outlandishness. Suburban man Hutch Mansell is often overlooked and constantly taking punishment without ever pushing back. After his home is burglarized, it pushes Mansell over the edge where it is discovered the man has combat skills and dormant instincts that have been simmering for quite some time.
Bob Odenkirk nailed the look of a normal, goes by the book type of suburban man. However, in the moments when his rage finally lets loose, audiences will quickly pick up on the training Odenkirk has done as the character goes scorched earth on anyone and anything in his path.
