10 Movie Villains Who Died Happy

Falling Down offers up one of the most daring and fascinating depictions of a villain protagonist, as unemployed, rage-filled white collar worker William Foster (Michael Douglas) becomes increasingly less sympathetic over the course of the movie.

While the film begins with Foster raging at the small frustrations of everyday life - blistering heat, overpriced drinks, terrible fast food - by film's end his rampage has caused several deaths and he's also confirmed to be an abusive husband.

The audience is as such compelled to root for soon-to-retire Sergeant Martin Prendergast (Robert Duvall), who during the final showdown with Foster points out that he is, in fact, The Bad Guy.

Foster, appreciating that he'll be forced to see his beloved daughter Adele (Joey Hope Singer) grow up behind bars, then decides to commit suicide-by-cop, pulling out a water pistol and in turn prompting Prendergast to shoot him in self-defense.

In his final moments, well aware that Adele will collect the life insurance for his death, Foster smiles and jokingly tells Prendergast, "I wouldda gotcha," before falling off the pier.

Even accepting Foster's status as a racist, rampaging maniac, it's a tragic outcome, yet one where he at least secures a prosperous future for his child.