Why Aren't There More Movies Where Bad Guys Win?

Movies where the bad guys win are relatively rare for several reasons. Let's explore some of the key factors that influence this trend in cinema.

Audience Expectations

Most audiences prefer stories with clear moral conclusions where good triumphs over evil. This aligns with a common narrative arc that provides satisfaction and hope. Viewers leave the theater feeling satisfied and with a sense of justice being served. This is particularly important for films that aim to leave a lasting impact on their audience.

Emotional Impact

Films that end on a dark note can leave viewers feeling unsettled or unhappy. Studios often aim for a positive emotional impact to encourage repeat viewings and word-of-mouth promotion. Positive endings tend to foster a sense of community among viewers and encourage them to discuss the film with others, which can lead to increased visibility and box office success.

Cultural Norms

Many cultures value the idea of justice and retribution. Stories that subvert this expectation can be seen as controversial or nihilistic, which might limit their appeal. Deviating from the expected narrative can challenge traditional values and norms, but it also risks alienating a large portion of the audience.

Commercial Considerations

Movies are often made with the goal of reaching a wide audience for financial success. Happy endings or resolutions where good prevails are generally more marketable. Studios invest significant time and resources into marketing campaigns that often hinge on the premise of a triumphant hero. Films with complex or ambiguous endings can be less predictable and harder to market effectively.

Character Development

Stories typically focus on character arcs where protagonists learn, grow, or overcome challenges. If the villains win, it can undermine these arcs and lead to less satisfying character resolutions. Audiences often want to see the hero succeed and the villain be defeated, as this provides a sense of closure and emotional payoff.

Genre Constraints

Certain genres, such as superhero films and family-friendly movies, are particularly inclined to feature good triumphing over evil due to their target demographics and thematic expectations. Superhero movies, in particular, are designed to appeal to a wide audience and often rely on the idea of justice and the triumph of the underdog. Family-friendly films, on the other hand, often aim to provide a sense of predictability and safety for young viewers.

Notable Exceptions in Cinema

However, there are notable exceptions in cinema where the bad guys do win. One such example is the director's cut of I Am Legend. The post-apocalyptic story is told from the view point of the villain, making for a unique and thrilling narrative.

In I Am Legend, the surviving population had been brutally culled by a man-made plague, which was the result of a medical experiment gone wrong. The survivors hid during the day and fended off the protagonist, who hunted them using his superior skills and equipment. The protagonist kidnapped and subjected them to torturous experiments, which inevitably led to their death. He saw them as inferior and a disposable resource in his efforts to change them to be more like himself.

The survivors, tired of living in fear, banded together and attacked his fort-like home to rescue their last captive. They succeeded but at great cost, with many of them dying. At the end, they decided to allow him to live, despite everything he had done to them. The movie concludes with the protagonist, who was a villain, being considered a hero by the new society. He was no longer feared, marking a victory of sorts for the villain.

It's worth noting, that the theatrical release was very different and resulted in a more cookie-cutter Hollywood ending, which ultimately ruined the premise of I Am Legend. The implication that the hero, Will Smith, could have been the villain was not well-received by American test audiences. The director's cut, however, is much more true to the book and a much better film for it.

In conclusion, while movies where the bad guys win are rare, there is a place for such narratives in cinema. They challenge traditional storytelling norms and offer a fresh perspective on the classic good vs. evil dynamic. These films, when done well, can provide a unique and memorable viewing experience that resonates with a niche audience.