Summary
Warning: Contains descriptions of graphic violence.
Law Abiding Citizenhas found a new audience on Netflix following its original 2009 release, but while the 26% Rotten Tomatoes-rated thriller failed to impress critics, it is notable for containing perhaps the most disturbing scene in Gerard Butler’s entire career. Although he’s best known as aheroic action star, Gerard Butlerhas a surprisingly varied filmography. From horrors likeDracula 2000to musicals such asThe Phantom of the Opera, he has never been afraid to push boundaries. However, even within the context of such a diverse resume,Law Abiding Citizenstands out.
The movie is notable for several reasons. Not only does it involve Butler portraying a morally complex antagonist – an unusual character for the Scottish-born actor – but it also has a much bleaker tone than many of his typical projects. Butler plays Clyde Shelton, an ex-CIA operative who embarks on a savage revenge mission after the death of his wife and daughter. Ultimately, Shelton’s plan sees him take on all aspects of the justice system in an increasingly elaborate bid for retribution. However, the most horrific moment in the movie concerns the man who killed Shelton’s family in the first place.
Law Abiding Citizen’s Twist Ending Explained
Law Abiding Citizen is a 2009 action movie starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler. Here’s the movie’s explosive ending explained.
The Warehouse Scene In Law Abiding Citizen Is Absolutely Horrifying
Shelton’s Form Of Justice Is Sadistically Violent
Even by the standards of what is a very violent film, the warehouse torture scene inLaw Abiding Citizenis particularly shocking. As is typical of Clyde Shelton’s methods, the scene’s set-up is quite convoluted. After framing Darby, the man who murdered and assaulted his wife and daughter, for facilitating the painful death of his former partner, Shelton lures him away from pursuing police officers. After Shelton reveals himself, Darby attempts to shoot him,only for the gun to inject a potent neurotoxin into his bloodstream that renders him immobile but keeps all of his senses intact. Shelton then takes him to a warehouse.
It is at this point that the real horror of the scene begins. While Darby is totally paralyzed, Shelton explains in grueling detail everything that is about to happen to him – from his plan to use a scalpel to remove his eyelids, to injecting him with adrenaline to ensure he remains awake throughout. He then reveals a full-length mirror, suspended over the pseudo-operating table, so that Darby can see everything that’s about to happen to him.The scene then ends with Shelton beginning the torture, cutting into one of Darby’s legs with an angle grinder while recording the procedure.
Law Abiding Citizen Is One Of Gerard Butler’s Most Violent Movies
The Movie Is Consistently Unflinching In Its Exploration Of Violence
Even without the warehouse scene,Law Abiding Citizenwould rank as one of Gerard Butler’s most violent films. The story is an exploration of vigilante justice and examines the horrific limits people can be pushed to after losing faith in a flawed and corrupt system. Not only does the film open with a distressingly violent home invasion that sets the story in motion, but Shelton consistently carries out violent retribution against those who he feels wronged him and his family.
Unlike other violent Butler movies, such as the graphic novel adaptation300,Law Abiding Citizen’s bleakly nihilistic tone gives its content a disturbing edge.
Some of the most notable scenes in the movie include Shelton’s murder of a fellow prison inmate using a T-bone steak, as well as a series of graphic explosions – highlighting Shelton’s expertise as an engineer. Unlike otherviolent Butler movies, such as the graphic novel adaptation300,Law Abiding Citizen’s bleakly nihilistic tone gives its content a disturbing edge. As a result,it’s perhaps unsurprising that the movie cut several scenes in order to avoid an NC-17 rating– many of which were restored in the director’s cut (viaMovie-Censorship).
It has been argued, both by contemporary critics and subsequent viewers, thatLaw Abiding Citizen’s violence is needlessly gratuitous. A potential justification for the graphic content is that it reinforces the movie’s message about drastic circumstances pushing people into incredibly dark places. However, while the movie’s gore is certainly a contentious talking point, it is surprisingly irrelevant to the impact of the warehouse scene.
Law Abiding Citizen Review
Law Abiding Citizen is a satisfying (and at times funny) revenge movie that unfortunately loses its way in the last 20 minutes.
The Warehouse Scene Subverts Audience Expectations
The Implication Of Violence Is Much More Powerful
Before the warehouse scene begins,Law Abiding Citizenhas already featured some disturbingly violent content. The home invasion scene that kickstarts the story is definitely one example, as is the botched execution of Rupert Ames – the man who is sentenced to death following Darby’s false testimony. From the outset,it’s clear thatLaw Abiding Citizenis unafraid to pull its punches. This makes the fact that so little of Darby’s torture is actually shown even more distressing.
Instead of indulging in a graphic torture scene for maximum impact,Law Abiding Citizeninstead relies on the power of implied violence. Shelton describes in vivid detail everything that’s going to happen to Darby so that the audience is fully aware of what’s involved. The tension ratchets up as he explains all the preparations he’s made, including the positioning of the mirror and having a video camera on hand to record the entire scene. However, save for a brief shot of Shelton cutting into Darby’s leg, the movie doesn’t really dwell on the details of the torture.
Given how brutalLaw Abiding Citizenhas already been before the scene, the fact that much of the violence is absent is a daring and effective subversion of audience expectations.
By not showing the full horror of what happens in the warehouse on screen,Law Abiding Citizenallows viewers' imaginations to take over. While violence and gore can be disturbing, it’s arguably more psychologically effective to use the power of suggestion. This is a trick often used by horror movies, explaining why the warehouse scene remains so potent years after its release. Considering howbrutalLaw Abiding Citizenhas already been before the scene, the fact that much of the violence is absent is a daring and effective subversion of audience expectations.
Law Abiding Citizen Failed To Impress Critics, Despite The Violence
There Were Many Problems With The Movie
Law Abiding Citizenasks bold questions about when or if violence can ever be justified, as well as providing a stylized exposé of issues within the justice system. However, while these are interesting aspects of the movie, other problems with the production obscured its message. TheRotten Tomatoescritical consensus describes the film as “unflinchingly absurd”, adding that"Law Abiding Citizen is plagued by subpar acting and a story that defies reason". This assessment is reflected in the movie’s disappointing 26% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Thanks to its themes and approach to disturbing scenes like the warehouse torture,Law Abiding Citizenhad the opportunity to ask some interesting questions of its audience. However, questionable execution elsewhere means that the potential power of these moments is lost. Even so, the movie remains a noteworthy entry in Gerard Butler’s career, and it’s easy to see why viewers are rediscovering it in 2024.
