William Foster (Michael Douglas) aka D-Fens is a man that a lot of viewers will be able to relate to: he's recently divorced, he's lost his job, and on his way home, it seems like everyone in his way just wants to screw with him, or worse, kill him. Foster's various encounters with greedy shop owners, violent thugs, neo-Nazis and obnoxious fast food managers make a cathartic experience for the audience, for his outrage, violent assaults and, in a few cases, murders, are in a sense wish fulfillment for many viewers who no doubt wish they could do just the same sometimes. It's hard to deny that Foster has been given the short shrift by society, but his methods are undeniably over-the-top and exhibit something of a break with reality. At the end of the movie, it truly feels ambiguous as to whether Foster will wipe out his own family, and ultimately, he decides to die via suicide-by-cop so that his young daughter can collect the life insurance money. A heroic end, then, kinda, but not (hence the whole "anti" thing)? Foster is a perfect anti-hero: most audience members will sympathise with a number of his encounters throughout the movie, though come to question his extreme methods at the finish line. At a cathartic level, his heroism is undeniable, but in terms of real-world applications, it just doesn't work if you want to be both alive and out of jail.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
