10 Comic Book Movies Where Heroes Lose and Villains Triumph

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In the realm of comic book films, triumphant conclusions are often favored. Typically, our protagonist battles seemingly impossible challenges to vanquish the antagonist and rescue those in peril. Generally, these satisfying endings resonate well with viewers, providing a pleasant, uplifting ending that neatly ties up the story’s loose ends. Essentially, good conquering evil is the usual narrative in the comic book universe.

Occasionally, it happens that the antagonist unexpectedly outshines the protagonist. It’s almost unbelievable, isn’t it? We wonder, Could this be true? Did the wrongdoer really prevail? Such conclusions often carry a somber and melancholic atmosphere. The antagonist emerges victorious, leaving the hero disheartened, and the overall scenario seems more grim than it initially was. These dismal endings may cause us to exchange puzzled glances with our neighbor or remain speechless, lost in thought as the closing credits unfold. Yet, paradoxically, these conclusions can also feel refreshingly unique.

In this list, you’ll find 10 instances where our heroic characters endure severe setbacks and don’t emerge victorious in their comic book movie appearances.

10
‘Oldboy’ (2003)

Have you heard that the movie Oldboy is actually an adaptation from a Japanese manga with the same title? This South Korean version, considered more impressive than the American remake starring Josh Brolin, is often praised as a cinematic masterpiece in foreign languages and ranked among the best films ever produced.

The film starts by depicting Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) being held in solitary confinement for 15 grueling years by an unknown captor, without any reason given. However, his torment is just the start. He is later freed, though not out of kindness, but because his captor so desires. Eager for answers and retribution, Dae-su embarks on a brutal odyssey, encountering a woman named Mi-do (Kang Hye-jung), whom he develops a deep connection with.

In an unexpected turn of events, it is uncovered that Mi-do is Dae-su’s biological daughter. This malicious plan was devised by their captor, Lee Woo-jin (Yoo Ji-tae), who exploited a deep-seated grudge against Dae-su. He had manipulated them into developing feelings for each other through hypnosis, as a twisted form of retribution. This animosity originates from a past scandal that Dae-su unintentionally exposed, leading to Woo-jin’s sister taking her own life.

Struck by overwhelming fear, Dae-su resorts to a drastic act of self-punishment: he removes his own tongue in a desperate attempt to atone. In search of relief, he turns to a hypnotist to obliterate his recollections. Yet, the conclusion is left uncertain—has he actually forgotten, or is he just pretending? Regardless, Woo-jin’s vengeance is fully realized, making Oldboy one of the most chilling and indelible films ever created.

9
‘Sin City’ (2005)

Based on Frank Miller’s renowned graphic novel, “Sin City” is a hard-boiled, contemporary film that intertwines several tales of crime, deceit, and retribution, with many concluding in sorrow. Among the movie’s most recognized narratives is the storyline involving veteran police officer John Hartigan (portrayed by Bruce Willis) and Nancy Callahan, a young girl. At the outset, Hartigan saves Nancy from the grasp of child-killer Roark Junior (Nick Stahl), who is the spoiled and sheltered offspring of a senator corrupting the U.S. government.

Despite Nancy’s salvation, Senator Roark orchestrates Hartigan’s unjust imprisonment for fourteen years as retribution for nearly killing Junior. Upon his release, Hartigan discovers that Nancy has matured into a woman of twenty-five. However, Roark Junior, who underwent grotesque transformations due to experimental treatments, continues his pursuit of Nancy. In the end, Hartigan puts an end to Junior, thus protecting Nancy from any further harm.

Realizing that Senator Roark would never cease his pursuit of revenge, Hartigan chose to end his life, safeguarding Nancy from further harm. In a fittingly dark twist typical of noir films, the narrative concludes on a somber note; while the monster has been slain, the true antagonist, Senator Roark, continues to live unscathed and beyond reproach.

8
‘300’ (2006)

The movie titled “300” is a real-life portrayal inspired by Frank Miller’s well-known graphic novel with the same name. In this story set in ancient times, King Leonidas (played by Gerard Butler) leads 300 Spartan warriors against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive army of over 300,000 soldiers during the Greco-Persian Wars, particularly focusing on the historic Battle of Thermopylae.

If you’re familiar with world history, you’re already aware of the final outcome of this epic series of battles: Leonidas and his 300 brave soldiers put up a heroic, fierce fight, but they ultimately meet their demise on the battlefield, along with Leonidas himself. Their sacrifice, however, inspires the Greeks to rally an army, confront the Persians, and eventually defeat Xerxes. Nevertheless, that’s not where this specific tale concludes.

7
‘Ichi the Killer’ (2001)

Drawing inspiration from its manga source, the movie “Ichi the Killer” delves deeply into graphic violence and brutalities. The story centers around a troubled individual named Ichi, who, under Jijii’s control, carries out merciless killings against enemies within rival gangs. In the climactic scene, Ichi faces off against his adversary, Kakihara – a ruthless yakuza enforcer – who has been relentlessly pursuing Ichi in pursuit of unparalleled suffering.

In Kakihara’s mind, it seemed like Ichi truly maimed him brutally when he hallucinated such scenes. However, it turned out that these were just illusions – the real injuries he sustained were quite minor. Tragically, Kakihara, having hoped to encounter a monstrously sadistic Ichi, ended his life in disappointment. Contrary to popular belief, Ichi was not an unstoppable force; instead, he was a deeply disturbed individual who was controlled and manipulated into his violent rampage by Jijii.

6
‘From Hell’ (2001)

From Hell is based on Alan Moore’s graphic novel and tells the story of Inspector Frederick Abberline’s investigation into the Jack the Ripper murders in Victorian London. Although the comic book delves deep into the killer’s psyche, the film focuses on Abberline as its main character. During his investigation, Abberline discovers a plot involving the British government that suggests the murders were carried out to silence sex workers who knew about a scandalous secret in the royal family, a theory that has been mostly refuted by historians.

As I journey through the gripping tale, I’m largely preoccupied with unveiling this hidden plot, but alas, my character seemingly succumbs to an overdose of opium in the finale – a somber twist hinting at the heavy price paid for chasing Jack the Ripper. However, in reality, Inspector Abberline outlived that era, passing away much later in 1929. The enigma of Jack the Ripper remains unsolved, lingering as an unsolvable mystery to this very day.

5
‘Watchmen’ (2009)

The film “Watchmen,” inspired by its namesake graphic novel, offers a unique take on superhero movies. It paints a realistic, alternate version of our history, where tensions between America and Russia are escalating towards nuclear war. In the storyline, one of the costumed vigilantes, Ozymandias (portrayed by Matthew Goode), devises a sinister plot in the novel to simulate a giant octopus attack, killing millions worldwide. However, in this movie adaptation, Ozymandias deceives the world into believing that nuclear-powered Dr. Manhattan (played by Billy Crudup) is responsible for mass murder.

With Dr. Manhattan appearing as a global menace, America and Russia momentarily put aside their disagreements, rallying the world to confront their shared adversary. The costumed vigilantes are shocked when they discover the truth, but ultimately choose to remain silent and comply with the strategy due to its apparent peaceful resolution. However, not all of them do so, leaving a murky conclusion that challenges the boundary between right and wrong, posing the classic dilemma: is the end worth the means?

4
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

As a die-hard film fan, I’d say that “Captain America: Civil War” is not just another chapter in the Captain America saga; it feels more like an extraordinary installment within the Avengers universe. Unlike most films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), where our heroes face off against superhuman adversaries, “Civil War” presents a unique twist – the antagonist is none other than an ordinary man.

Helmut Zemo, skillfully portrayed by Daniel Brühl, is this ordinary man with an extraordinary grudge. His animosity stems from the unintended consequences of the Avengers’ battle against Ultron in “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which led to the tragic loss of his family.

Equipped with nothing more than wit and no extraordinary abilities, Zemo orchestrates a strategy that divides the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s superheroes into two opposing groups: Team Captain America (Steve Rogers) versus Team Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). This upcoming confrontation has everyone on edge. In the wake of this clash, the Avengers are dissolved, and numerous superhumans find themselves as fugitives. Despite the numerous superpowered individuals who have tried, they were unable to conquer these heroes. However, it was an ordinary human who ultimately triumphed over the Avengers in the end.

3
‘Death Note’ (2017)

2017 saw Netflix debuting an American live-action rendition of the Japanese manga “Death Note”. In this adaptation, teenager Light Turner (played by Nat Wolff) discovers a mysterious notebook titled the Death Note, which allows him to kill people simply by writing their names within. This notebook is linked to Ryuk (performed by Willem Dafoe), a playful deity of death who observes Light’s activities but does not meddle. Choosing to take advantage of this powerful tool, Light decides to eradicate criminals, assuming the pseudonym Kira.

In this new take, mysterious detective L, portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield, finds himself intrigued by Kira’s actions. His fascination grows into an intense quest to discover her true identity. Unlike in the original comic, it is Light’s girlfriend, Mia Sutton (Margaret Qualley), who influences him towards more brutal choices. As the number of deaths increases, Light starts losing his grip on the Death Note’s power.

From a cinephile’s perspective, in the haunting finale of the movie, I – the protagonist – resort to using the Death Note to take Mia’s life, an act I believe was necessary for my survival. Meanwhile, L uncovers a torn page from this mysterious notebook and deciphers its purpose. As the clock ticks down, L grapples with an ethical quandary: should he inscribe my name within the Death Note? The chilling laughter echoing from Ryuk hints at his possible decision to do so. However, the movie concludes on a note of uncertainty, leaving me wondering: Has L compromised his moral compass, or will he resist the allure of the Death Note and choose a different path?

2
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)

For approximately two decades, moviegoers have been treated to three distinct live-action adaptations of Spider-Man: first, Tobey Maguire in Sam Raimi’s original trilogy; second, Andrew Garfield in a less spectacular reboot; and most recently, Tom Holland in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an extraordinary cinematic event, “Spider-Man: No Way Home” unites these three Spideys for a memorable crossover, all thanks to Doctor Strange’s manipulation of the multiverse. This unique collaboration even enabled some actors to revisit their roles as infamous villains from past films, such as Willem Dafoe reprising his Green Goblin character.

In a fresh twist for Tom Holland’s series, the franchise chooses to bypass rehashing familiar ground and instead jumps straight into Spider-Man’s adventures. It’s reasonable to infer that, similar to his two live-action counterparts, Holland’s Peter Parker likely had an off-screen deceased Uncle Ben who imparted the famous life lesson about responsibility.

In the film “No Way Home,” there’s a heart-breaking revelation: Aunt May acts as Uncle Ben for this version of Spider-Man. Tragically, she’s killed by the Green Goblin, marking Holland’s Spider-Man with his first profound loss. To make matters worse, the multiverse is in peril. Characters and villains from various universes, all aware of Peter’s identity, are being transported to his world due to a miscast spell by Dr. Strange. The only solution — to wipe out his own existence from everyone’s memory.

In the conclusion of “No Way Home”, all the villains (previously seen in various Spider-Man films) are rescued and returned to their original realities, leaving Peter Parker (Spider-Man) all by himself. His aunt has passed away, his girlfriend and closest friend no longer remember him, which typically brings a sense of triumph while watching Spider-Man glide across New York City at the end of the movie, but this time it feels quite different.

1
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

The hotly anticipated Marvel extravaganza, Avengers: Infinity War, was the culmination of every film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a moment eagerly awaited by fans. This epic adventure unites some of Marvel’s most legendary superheroes, many who have not crossed paths before, for a fierce fight against Thanos to prevent the impending doom of the universe and avert an apocalyptic catastrophe.

In their usual relentless pursuit, our heroes engage in an epic battle against Thanos, attempting to foil his schemes. However, one by one, they fall before him, making for a gripping sequence. The climax is shocking as Thanos meets his goal, seizing the Infinity Stones he’d been seeking for so long. With a casual snap of his fingers, he eradicates half of existence, including several of our heroes. To Thanos, this isn’t the annihilation of the universe; it’s the protection and salvation it needs. Avengers: Infinity War stands as an exceptional comic book film where the antagonist emerges victorious, leaving us with a haunting yet unforgettable ending.

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2025-02-09 23:09