Misanthropic characters have been a longstanding staple in manga and anime. However, these characters aren’t always the bad guys.
High school storylines often feature Kyon from Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuuutsu as an example. He comes off as a bitter, self-centered misanthrope who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.
1. Pain & Gain
Misanthropic characters are individuals who believe humans to be stupid, inferior, irredeemably flawed or worthless. These traits may manifest themselves in various forms and contexts – from films and television shows to video games – depending on the setting.
Misanthropy is a serious issue, and the film Pain & Gain poignantly illustrates its devastating effect on those around us. It tells the tale of three knucklehead bodybuilders as they strive for their own American dream and become embroiled in criminal activities that go terribly awry.
This movie is based on a true story reported in Miami New Times, but director Michael Bay has transformed it into a dark comedy with his script written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, and Anthony Mackie, the movie also explores relationships between family members through Mark Wahlberg’s character of Mike in The Avengers.
Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) is a fitness trainer who strives to be the best, no matter what it takes. To achieve this goal, he recruits Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson) and Adrian Doorbal (Anthony Mackie), two ex-convicts, to carry out an elaborate kidnapping and extortion scheme.
At the end, Lugo’s ambitions go beyond his own selfish desires and lead him to harm others – an intriguing aspect of this movie.
Though the film focuses more on slapstick comedy than exploring the darker side of American dream, it still manages to make for a good comedy. The cast is excellent and the action sequences are great fun to watch.
2. The Misanthrope
Some individuals hold such a negative opinion of human nature that they are willing to harm anyone who crosses their path. Though this may seem like an extreme approach, it can actually be very effective.
Misanthropic characters are one of cinema’s most iconic types. From Lars von Trier’s dark works to Pasolini’s early works, this trait has been featured in some of cinema’s greatest works.
Moliere explores this aspect of character through Alceste, a dissatisfied misanthrope who despises scandalmongers, coquettes and sycophants. When Alceste falls in love with Celimene, Moliere begins to feel jealous of her possessiveness.
But Alceste’s critical libel suit against him and the loss of Celimene lead him into an emotional breakdown that forces him into solitude. In this play we get a glimpse into a society freed from parental or religious control but still filled with corruption.
Shailene Woodley and Ben Mendelsohn will make their feature debut as the lead characters in this psychological thriller from BAFTA-winning Argentinian director Damian Szifron (Wild Tales). Vertical Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to this film, which is scheduled for release nationwide during the first half of 2023.
Though The Misanthrope may not be the most groundbreaking movie of the year, it still manages to tackle some heavy topics while providing an exquisite narrative and stunning performances from its actors. It’s a short that will resonate with audiences on an intimate level, making it worth checking out just for this reason alone.
3. The Exorcist
When thinking of horror films, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist often comes to mind. Not only is it a classic and beloved fan favorite, but there has also been some controversy surrounding its release.
Before anything else, you should know that the film was inspired by a true-life case of possession. It chronicles events surrounding Roland (also known as Ronald) in 1949.
After his Aunt Harriet passed away, the family began experiencing strange occurrences in their home. For instance, they’d have to contend with scratching noises coming from the walls and water seeping through the floor; additionally, Roland’s mattress would start moving by itself.
At this point, the family sought priests to perform an exorcism. They believed that by performing it, the demons would leave their house. Unfortunately, these events continued unabated.
Unfortunately, the exorcism failed and the family decided to relocate. When they did so, furniture started to shift and a crucifix would shift with it.
Karras ultimately sacrifices himself in order to save Regan, providing us with the film’s deeper significance.
Mar explains, “The exorcism story supports the existence of a loving God and implies that Satan is an embodiment of evil.” In other words, the film encourages viewers to believe in Satan in order to strengthen their faith in their own religion – which explains why the Catholic Church wasn’t thrilled with its release at first.”
4. The Dark Knight Rises
Misanthropy is a prevalent theme across various genres, from post-war cinema movements influenced by Vittorio De Sica to Italian Neo-Realism and European Film Noir. In Lars von Trier’s Taxi Driver, its protagonist suffers from an irresponsible attitude toward both his city and people around him.
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises follows Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) as a paralyzed recluse in Wayne Manor, where he and Alfred (Michael Caine) reside and work. Although Wayne has become a recluse, Gotham remains vibrant – until Bane (Tom Hardy) arrives with an unsettling agenda that threatens the city’s very existence.
The Dark Knight Rises is the third installment of Nolan’s epic trilogy that introduced us to Batman, a crime-fighting hero with an inner strength and thirst for revenge. Eight years after Harvey Dent’s brutal murder and Batman’s transformation into an outlaw, The Dark Knight Rises picks up where its predecessor left off.
The film stars a number of outstanding characters, such as Commissioner Gordon, detective John Blake and seductive cat burglar Selina Kyle. Each has their own reasons for wanting Batman back but they all share an ambition to make Wayne’s life less lonely and more normal.
Despite its shortcomings, The Dark Knight Rises is still an impressive movie and one that holds up well against other superhero films of its generation. It’s ideal for those seeking an authentic superhero story without being overly manufactured or safe, though it doesn’t quite reach Nolan’s previous two movies’ heights; moreover, this third installment feels weaker than its predecessors.
5. The Last Jedi
After the events of The Force Awakens, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) finds himself increasingly estranged from the Jedi order. But his quiet life is upended when he meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a young woman with strong indications of connection to the Force.
Rey takes her time convincing Luke of the power of love, but eventually succeeds. Actress Helen Hamill portrays this moment superbly and it serves as proof that writer-director Rian Johnson intends to leave a lasting impact on the Star Wars franchise.
The Last Jedi offers an intriguing twist on the series that offers plenty of captivating moments. It combines old school showmanship from Westerns with painterly eye and patience from modern sci-fi.
In the opening scene of Rogue One, General Leia (Carrie Fisher) leads a group of Resistance fighters as they are bombed out of a Star Destroyer. It’s an intensely moving scene that rivals anything Rogue One could provide us with emotionally.
Throughout the film, Leia and Rey struggle to keep the Resistance alive as they are pursued by the First Order led by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). The climactic battle between them and Snoke is one of the series’ most impressive moments.
Though not the best Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi is an important addition to the series. It delves into war and its costs with a poignancy rarely seen elsewhere.
Unfortunately, however, the movie also makes some missteps and is sometimes uneven. It tries too hard to subvert the formula, yet doesn’t always succeed in providing its heroes with their due satisfaction.
