10 Films That Make You The Bad Guy

The Wolf of Wall Street is Martin Scorcese's scathing look at how easy it is for corrupt con-men to manipulate the broken system of capitalism, and how ordinary folk celebrate the very people who do that.

Although the film is framed as the hero's journey of Jordan Belfort, the titular Wolf, it is obvious from his actions that he is the villain of the piece. However, the film also makes it clear that the people supporting him and his parasitic lifestyle are not without blame. Belfort is the bad guy, of course, but in order to be one of his followers, you'd have to be just as bad.

So, who are his followers? Why, all of us, of course. The film ends with Belfort, having learned next to nothing about morals or ethics throughout his adventures, teaching his cut-throat business tactics to a convention room full of people. Seeing a crowded audience eating up his every word, we can't help but be reminded of ourselves. Like him or not, we've all just given a vile manipulator three hours of our time - and in his world, time is money.

Of course, the wild success of the movie that attempted to condemn his actions has proved to be another huge cash cow for Belfort. Off the back of all that publicity, he now spends his time going on worldwide tours, spreading his teachings at sold-out events more akin to rock concerts than business conferences. And we just keep coming back for more.