Movies where the 'bad guy' wins (spoilers be warned)

[LordBag]

Not sure about this one really, but Boondock Saints?

 

[Mr_spamamam]

oldboy.

 

[WeedWorm]

Smoking Aces has a pretty downbeat ending. Main guy loses his parnter, will lose hes job (FBI agent) and be sent to prison for double muder.

 

[Kevvers]

Angel Heart.

Yeah that film was completely psychotic - not only did the bad guy win, but

Spoiler

the bad guy had already won right from the start and there was nothing much the protagonist could have done about it, and the whole thing was more of an epic and extremely nasty comeuppance. That end scene... was a fantastic piece of noir film. Moral: Always check that your employer's name can not be construed as a clever play on words before taking a job.

'Brazil'

Yeah, I really need the to check that out, sounds like it has all the hallmarks of a good film.

 

[P1p3s]

Mentioned already, but Arlington Road...

To me, it is the best example of total victory by the villain. More than "The Usual Suspects", more than "Watchmen". The bad guy tricks the good guy into blowing up a federal building and taking the blame for it.

Totally this, its a really good example, because while you are with the protagonist all the way desperately hoping people will see the truth, the bad guy plays us all from beginning to end.

If anyone can come up with a better example then it must have been something I haven't seen.

 

[LordBag]

Just went out on lunch and got Arlington Road for £5! ;_;

 

[Siris]

Technically,

Spoiler

Watchmen

I was going to say that too

 

[Hellion25]

The main one that springs to mind is Funny Games. There is just nothing given to the audience in the way of hope or relief throughout that entire film.

Dude, that is one messed up film (I saw the original German one not the remake) and I don't think I want to go through that experience again any time soon!

Swordfish also a good response, I had totally forgot about that.

Only other one that has come to mind that hasn't been mentioned was Blair Witch Project.

Yeah I know what you mean. I have never been so uncomfortable sitting through a movie. I saw the remake myself, but apparently it was done by the same director and is a shot by shot remake of the original but in English, so I don't know if it would be worth your time seeing that one too, or vice-versa in my case.

And good call on Blair Witch. I'd forgotten that one myself.

 

[Kodlak]

Saw to some extent... just because it keeps going.

 

[wrightofway]

Technically,

Spoiler

Watchmen

This

 

[Frybird]

I like to make a special mention to One Missed Call (the Japanese Original) and Final Destination 1+2 since...

Spoiler

Not only both of them lack a real "happy" ending, but also in both of them the protagonists think they are able to save themselves from thier fate, only to later find out that they can't (wich results in a pretty cool scene in both of them)

 

[GothmogII]

The Thing (John Carpenter)

Umm...how? The Thing gets destroyed in the end? Sure, Jeff Bridges and Keith David are left to freeze to death, so...it's more of a Pyrrhic Victory than a loss for the protagonists.

Hmm...bad guy for the win huh...the original Wicker Man, a sure win for the villain Lord Summerisle played by Christopher Lee.

 

[Axelgear]

-Simpsons Movie

the bad guy = Matt Groening
horrible act = hyping us up for a crash and burn, rather bland humoured movie
how he won = regardless of what others told us, we went and saw it

I liked that movie. It was funny at times, it had a good story, and gave all the characters real emotional depth.

 

[Fangface74]

The Thing (John Carpenter)

Umm...how? The Thing gets destroyed in the end? Sure, Jeff Bridges and Keith David are left to freeze to death, so...it's more of a Pyrrhic Victory than a loss for the protagonists.

What's the whole point of the discussion between Childes and Mac?

The theme of the film is your own paranoia, even if you've genuinely won, there's no way you'll (let yourself) know.

 

[notmyoldaccount]

Eden Lake.

 

[notmyoldaccount]

oldboy.

debateable

 

[Falseprophet]

"Brazil". Although I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't yet seen it. It's a fantastic film, extraordinarily dystopian movie from Terry Gilliam. Think Monty Python meets 1984, gets drunk and they go for a curry with Blade Runner.

That has to be the greatest summary of Brazil I think I've ever read! Thanks for that; you just made my night.....

I agree--I need to watch it again!

While we're talking Gilliam, was 12 Monkeys mentioned yet?

oldboy.

Yes! And disturbing as hell...

 

[sheic99]

I'd say 3:10 to Yuma.
At least, the newer one (Didn't see the original).

It's similar.

Spoiler

They board the train and Dan asks Ben why he let him get Ben to the train, and Ben responds by telling Dan that he already escaped from that prison before.

So, both versions of 3:10 to Yuma.

 

[Melirune]

House of 1000 Corpses