Copyright gqindia
Not all heroes wear capes – some break the rules, blur the lines between right and wrong, and still make you cheer for them. These are the anti-heroes – flawed, unpredictable, and often more human than traditional good guys. Whether they’re chasing revenge, bending the law, or fighting their own demons, they pull you into their world and make you understand their choices. Here’s a look at anti-hero movies & shows where the ‘bad’ guys steal the spotlight. 7 anti-hero movies & shows with intense narratives & complex characters; on Netflix, ZEE5 & more 1. Suicide Squad – Amazon Prime Video After Superman’s death, the government forms Task Force X – a secret team of imprisoned supervillains who are coerced into taking on high-risk missions for the U.S. government. Led by the ruthless Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) and field commander Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), the squad, including Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Will Smith), must stop a supernatural threat unleashed by one of their own. Despite being outlaws, the characters show flashes of humanity and humor that make you root for them. Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) became an instant pop-culture icon – chaotic, bold, and oddly lovable. 2. Joker – JioHotstar A haunting origin story of one of cinema’s most iconic villains, Joker follows Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a struggling clown and aspiring stand-up comedian in Gotham City. Beaten down by society, ignored by the system, and isolated in his own mental illness, Arthur’s slow unraveling leads him to embrace chaos and become the symbol of rebellion known as the Joker. You know he’s the villain, yet you can’t help but feel for him. Joaquin Phoenix’s chilling performance makes Arthur painfully human, exposing how cruelty and neglect can turn innocence into madness. Joker is less a comic book movie and more a dark, emotional character study that makes you question where society ends and the monster begins. 3. V for Vendetta – YouTube Set in a dystopian future where Britain is ruled by a totalitarian regime, this gripping political thriller follows V (Hugo Weaving), a masked vigilante who uses radical methods to fight oppression. When he saves a young woman named Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) from the secret police, he inspires her and an entire nation to rise against tyranny. V is both a hero and a terrorist – brilliant, poetic, and ruthless in his mission for freedom. His actions blur the line between justice and vengeance, yet his courage and ideals make you root for him. 4. Baazigar – Amazon Prime Video A dark thriller that redefined the anti-hero in Hindi cinema. Shah Rukh Khan plays Ajay Sharma, a charming and mysterious man who seduces and manipulates two sisters to avenge the wrongs done to his family. His calculated crimes and cold-blooded actions make him a villain by law, but his personal tragedy gives him a reason audiences can empathise with. Ajay is clever and morally grey, yet Shah Rukh Khan’s charisma and the emotional backstory make you root for him despite his crimes. 5. Badlapur – ZEE5 A gritty revenge thriller that explores how grief and anger can turn a man into something unrecognizable. Varun Dhawan plays Raghu, whose wife and child are brutally killed during a bank robbery. Consumed by rage and a desire for vengeance, he sets out to confront the murderer, embarking on a path that transforms him morally and emotionally. Raghu is not a traditional hero. He is violent, obsessive, and morally conflicted. Yet his pain and determination make us empathise with him, even as he crosses lines most of us wouldn’t dare. 6. Dexter – Netflix A unique crime drama centered on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a Miami-based blood forensic analyst working for the police, and leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer. Guided by a strict moral code taught by his adoptive father, only to kill those who ‘deserve it’, Dexter navigates the tension between his dark urges and the law he enforces. Dexter is the ultimate anti-hero — cold, calculated, and morally ambiguous, yet strangely relatable. The show explores the fine line between justice and obsession, keeping us hooked on a protagonist who is both frightening and compelling. 7. Vaastav – YouTube Raghu (Sanjay Dutt) is an ordinary man from Mumbai who is thrust into the city’s underworld after he accidentally murders a local gangster’s brother. Initially trying to make quick money, he gradually becomes a feared gangster, losing his morality, relationships, and innocence along the way. Raghu is a tragic anti-hero. His choices are morally wrong, yet his desperation and circumstances make you feel sorry for him. The movie is celebrated for its raw portrayal of crime, ambition, and the human cost of power, showing how an ordinary man can turn to the dark side while still capturing the viewer’s sympathy.
