Top 10 Movies Where the Anti-Hero Dies
#10: “John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023)
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The fourth outing featuring the legendary titular assassin takes John Wick on a last lethal odyssey to escape his violent underworld. Baba Yaga must kill his way across several cities, all with the goal of reaching a duel that will finally set him free. Although this confrontation does have John kill his opponent, he himself also dies from his wounds. To be perfectly honest, we’d love to rank this higher. The action set pieces are incredible throughout, with some of the best fight scenes of the last decade! However, we’re still not entirely certain that John’s actually dead! If this is his end though, it’s one fantastic send-off!
#9: “V for Vendetta” (2005)
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Set in a dystopian version of the United Kingdom, “V for Vendetta” follows a vigilante revolutionary known only as “V.” The masked man recruits a young woman named Evey to his cause, while also seeking revenge on the people responsible for the current regime and the cruel experiments performed on him. As rebellion builds due to V’s actions, he’s finally faced with the last of those on his list. Despite taking a hail of bullets, V manages to fight through all his attackers to kill his final target. Dying in Evey’s arms, V is laid to rest with one last explosive bit of revolution. “V for Vendetta” is a compelling political thriller whose lead character has become emblematic of those dissatisfied with the status quo.
#8: “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969)
The eponymous leads of this classic western buddy film seem to live life from one misadventure to another. After a bank robbery gone wrong, the two of them find themselves pursued relentlessly by the law in the United States. Unfortunately, even fleeing to Bolivia and attempting to go straight doesn’t bring an end to their troubles. Eventually, the duo are cornered by the Bolivian army with no way out, and their fatal last stand is an iconic part of cinema. While the titular rogues may not survive, their charming personalities and excellent chemistry have helped make this one of the most beloved Westerns ever made.
#7: “No Country for Old Men” (2007)
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A gritty neo-western thriller, “No Country for Old Men” features hunter Llewellyn Moss stumbling upon a suitcase full of money left behind by drug dealers. He keeps the money out of greed, but soon finds himself pursued by the implacable, terrifying hitman, Anton Chigurh. Moss manages to wound Chigurh, and escape into Mexico briefly. However, ultimately, he meets his end at the hands of the dealers pursuing the money. Fraught with tension, incredible cinematography, and featuring one of the greatest villains ever to grace the silver screen, “No Country for Old Men” may leave some unsatisfied with its conclusion, but the journey is impeccable!
#6: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” (1975)
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Randle McMurphy gets himself committed to a psychiatric institution by pretending to be insane to avoid a prison sentence. However, he soon finds that this asylum is a hellish place. The tyrannical nurse Ratched makes his life, and everyone else’s on the ward, dark and miserable. His battle of wills against her nearly ends with McMurphy killing the deranged nurse. However, McMurphy is ultimately lobotomized, leading to his friend Chief euthanizing him out of respect and empathy. Mixing dark comedy, tragedy, and a timeless story of rebellion against cruel authority, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” hits hard on all fronts.
#5: “Logan” (2017)
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A gritty take on a superhero film, “Logan” follows a tired and worn-down Wolverine. Logan is brought out of retirement when his cloned daughter Laura arrives on his doorstep, forcing him, and an elderly Charles Xavier, to help Laura escape her pursuers. Following many heartbreaking moments, Logan makes one final stand to help Laura and several other mutant children escape. The immortal X-Man dies at last, still a hero. This movie beautifully blends elements of a Western into the superhero genre, and provides an emotional swan song to one of the longest running on-screen superheroes.
#4: “Thelma & Louise” (1991)
The two women who lend this film their names are friends who find themselves in a whole heap of trouble. After Louise kills a man to protect her friend, the duo go on the run towards Mexico. As they commit more crimes while on the run, the heat on them continues, until they’re cornered at the Grand Canyon. Rather than surrender, Thelma and Louise keep going…by driving off the side of a nearby cliff. While the ultimate destination of this classic road movie is a tragic one, Thelma and Louise’s feminist odyssey is a journey well worth witnessing.
#3: “The Departed” (2006)
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Billy Costigan is a police officer asked to infiltrate the Boston criminal gang of Frank Costello. At the same time, Costello has Colin Sullivan spying for him from inside the police. Each seeks to uncover the other’s identity as the police close in on Costello. Costigan finally does figure out who Sullivan is, though he’s left without much support. Unfortunately, he’s killed abruptly before he can bring Sullivan in. “The Departed” is a twist- and suspense-filled crime film, with an absolutely stacked cast who deliver fantastic performances. And to be fair to our antihero protagonist, he’s far from the only unexpected body to drop in this movie!
#2: “Scarface” (1983)
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The quintessential rise and fall of a gangster movie, “Scarface” focuses on Tony Montana. The Cuban refugee arrives in America penniless, but manages to work his way up in the business in Miami. Tony’s rise sees him indulge excesses and make plenty of enemies along the way. Said enemies eventually arrive on his doorstep to take him down in a hail of gunfire - not that Tony makes it easy for them! “Scarface” is one of the greatest gangster movies ever made, and Tony Montana is one of cinema’s great antiheroes, because even as we can’t help but root for success, his actions are overwhelmingly abhorrent.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Watchmen” (2009)
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“Road to Perdition” (2002)
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“Léon: The Professional” (1994)
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#1: “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967)
A landmark film fictionalizing the lives of real outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, “Bonnie and Clyde” sees the duo travel the central United States while robbing stores and banks alike. Their exploits marked a turning point in the romanticization of criminals, both in real life and later when the film debuted. Ultimately, in the film and in reality, the law caught up with the couple, ambushing them and gunning them down in one of cinema's most infamously violent scenes. “Bonnie and Clyde” left a considerable impact in its use of antiheroes as its leads. The duo’s greatest caper may have been stealing the hearts of moviegoers everywhere.
What other antiheroes should be on this list? Tell us in the comments.
