10 Emotionally Gutting Films That Wrecked Their Audiences
3. American History X
Being appalled by racism is one thing, confronting and moving on from it is another. In 1998's American History X, the audience is treated to a scary non-horror performance from Edward Norton as Derek Vinyard commits many atrocities in the name of his neo-Nazi beliefs. Yet these scenes are shown to take place in the past, as the Derek in the present has managed to overcome his angry ways and now seeks to prevent his little brother Danny (played by Edward Furlong) from following the same path.
The question of whether a deeply damaged individual can reject the poison of white supremacy is merely a starting point. American History X is a deconstruction of what endless anger does to people and how it drives them to commit horrific deeds. Racism and hatred pervade every aspect of the characters' lives, making for an often sadistic turn of events. At around the halfway mark, the film's beating heart emerges as many of the main characters begin to learn from mistakes and work to change themselves. It's final lasting message -"Hate is Baggage" - resonates massively over two decades after its release; it tells its audience that wherever hatred exists, everyone loses and that's what makes American History X stand out to this day.