The proverb “an eye for an eye” governs logical characters seeking revenge. However, when emotions are involved, the crime rarely matches the punishment.

When unbalanced characters seek mutual justice, they surprise victims and viewers. The level of disproportionate revenge carried by the characters in John Wick or Saw franchises fall under the parameters of cruel and unusual punishment.

10 New Jack City

New Jack City

IN New Jack City, Nino Brown is the subject of a police investigation for racketeering, murder, and being the biggest drug dealer in Harlem. Fragile patience is a popular trait in his work, but Wesley Snipes the character goes overboard, setting fire to a child who short-circuited the drug dealer’s $5.

At a meeting with Nino Brown’s affiliates, the crime boss announces that his drug dealings are making a million dollars a week. With numbers like that, it makes sense to expand the line of credit by $5 for workers who are short of payments. Brown’s cold heart and vengeful tactics make him one of the most ruthless villains in the crime genre.

9 Chip and Dale: Rescuers

Chip 'n' Dale Rescuers Peter Pan Rescuers
Image via Disney+

Disney+ Chip and Dale: Rescuers tracks a resentful former Hollywood child star who has aged out of his typecast Peter Pan role. The mature lost boy takes his revenge on Tinseltown by mutilating the animations and sending them to perform in bootleg productions.

Peter Pan Syndrome leads him down a dark path and he is blinded by his disorder. With no face to blame for his misfortune, Pan torments former animation stars and becomes what he despises in Hollywood. His actions do not hold Hollywood accountable, but instead feed the system by portraying his victims in their terrifying childhood roles.

8 Good guys

Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta as Tommy DeVito and Henry Hill in The Goodfellas.

IN Good guys, Joe Pesci Tommy DeVito’s character understands the deadly consequences of the unsanctioned killing of a man made out of the mob. DeVito’s emotions get the better of him and he kills the arrogant gangster after a heated altercation with a famous man who insults DeVito for his history as a shoe shiner.

At the beginning of the scene, it becomes clear that Pesci’s character has accumulated anger towards an old acquaintance. Tommy gives the first and last warning in a war of words, and the second chapter of insults turns out to be the last words of created man.

7 Man of Steel

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel
Image via Warner Bros.

The Smallville Vigilante runs to the rescue to help a waitress who is being pursued in Man of Steel. Clark loses his temper and delivers his biweekly notice two weeks early after a drunken patron pours beer on him. In retaliation, Kent impales the logs through the truck driver’s car in retaliation.

An unbalanced response to Clark’s wet T-shirt results in the truck being beyond repair. An immature reaction occurs before Jor-El trains Superman to turn the other cheek in his fortress of loneliness.

6 Iron Man 3

Aldrich Killian on the phone in Iron Man 3

IN Iron Man 3, Killian approaches Tony Stark in the elevator at the New Year’s Eve party minutes before the ball drops. After Tony rejects Killian’s business proposal, the scientist dedicates his life to the cause of revenge on the billionaire.

Killian kidnaps Pepper and throws the dice on her survival after exposing her to the Extremis serum. The irony is that it was Tony’s research that led to the scientific breakthrough of Killian’s think tank. Killian ignores Tony’s contributions and cannot forgive the Avenger for his drunken behavior on the night of the crime.

5 Spiderman 3

spider-man-3-topher-grace
Image via Sony

The seesaw rivalry between Eddie Brock and Peter Parker is shown on Spiderman 3. Brock loses the contest after Parker loses to a cameraman for faking newspaper wall scanner photos.

Brock has a legal claim against Jameson for the embarrassment associated with a public shooting. However, Eddie’s narrow hatred of Spider-Man seems misplaced. His literal prayers in the film are answered when he is compromised by the symbiote and becomes Venom. Brock’s pain from unemployment eases as he hunts Spider-Man to death.

4 John Wick

Concerned Keanu Reeves in John Wick
Image via Summit Entertainment

IN John Wick, Vic became the target of a home invasion and was beaten unconscious by the intruders. Before passing out, he witnesses the death of his dog. He wakes up in an empty garage as the crooks drive off in his car. The former killer vows revenge on those responsible.

Vic manages to get his car back, but the priceless dog has sentimental value. The price of retribution is paid when he kills the intruders, the dog killer, the dog killer’s father, their army, and burns down their reserve funds. Sane dog lovers will agree that John Wick went overboard with his path of revenge.

3 usual suspects

Man smoking a cigarette in front of a parked car

A con man tries to convince the authorities of the existence of a legendary criminal mastermind. This far-fetched story is hard to believe, especially due to the inclusion of sadistic revenge tactics in the form of family murder.

When Keyser Söze’s family is taken hostage and his son is killed, the drug lord seeks revenge with unnecessary killings. The overreaction leads to Syoze going on a rampage and killing his family, the gunmen, the gunmen’s families and their business associates. The overwhelming blood in his ledger draws a smirk from the incredulous detective.

2 Incredible

Animated man pointing his laser finger at someone

After Mister Incredible saves IncrediBoy from explosives stuck to his cape during his duel with Bomb Journey in incredible, the hero believes that he is more effective alone. The copycat partner is enraged by his hero’s rejection and dedicates his life to superhero genocide in order to get revenge.

The villain IncrediBoy’s origin story culminates when a serial killer kills most of the superheroes. Mister Incredible tries to apologize after he and his family are targeted, but the maniac goes through with his one-sided revenge and tries to kill them.

1 Saw Franchise

Jigsaw grins evilly in his workshop and in his signature black and red robe.
Image via Lionsgate Films

After being diagnosed with a terminal illness, Pila dedicates the rest of his life to inspiring the living. The sadist throws his victims into deadly labyrinths, and if they survive, he hopes they will appreciate their lives after the ordeal.

Saws chooses an absurd method to teach a lesson to carpe diem. Jigsaw’s tactics seem more unfair, because even if you survive, there’s no guarantee that the finish line won’t be adjusted. There were several victims who were repeatedly tested by Jigsaw or his protégé.