Vigilantes and rogues

From Dirty Harry to John Rambo: 10 anti-heroes that defy the definition


Published on January 20, 2025


For every knight in shining armor, there’s always an antihero hiding in the shadows: These characters are definitively do-gooders, but they usually lean towards a grayer sense of morality. Think about it: While Superman is brightly dressed, friendly, and warm, Batman works at night, fighting the underbelly with his very once sense of ruthless justice. In that regard, we have selected 10 of the most intimidating, dangerous, and morally ambiguous characters from films, shows, and comic books. These fighters of justice might sometimes be on the wrong side of the law, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy their adventures. Enjoy!

1

Wolverine

Credit: Erik Mclean

We’ll start with someone who many believe to be the quintessential comic-book antihero. Wolverine is the code name of Logan, a mutant superhero from the world of Marvel Comics. His mutant powers give him the ability to heal from wounds. Not only that, thanks to his healing his body was infused with Adamantium, a fictional metal known for its indestructibility.

One of the key aspects of Logan is his wild and animalistic personality: Troubled by amnesia, Logan’s past is a mystery that keeps him at arm's length from his own humanity. This makes him prone to entering a feral and berserker state which makes him extremely dangerous to his enemies.

2

The Man with No Name

Credit: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

The Wild West is the perfect environment for antiheroes: A place where morality and societal norms were often ignored. Sergio Leone’s "Dollars Trilogy" introduced the world to one of the most iconic antiheroes produced by the Western genre: The Man with No Name, played by Clint Eastwood in all 3 films.

Sometimes known as "Blondie" or "Joe", Eastwood’s character is instantly recognizable by 3 characteristics: His poncho, his fondness for cigarillos, and the fact that he seldom speaks. Not only that, but this man is an expert gunslinger, who should be feared by anyone that dares to stand in his path.

3

Batman

Credit: Sajjad Ahmadi

Gotham City’s masked protector is known by many names, like the Dark Knight or the Caped Crusader. However, when Bruce Wayne chose the name he would take for his fight against crime, he adopted the symbol of the animal he feared the most, in the hope that he would inspire the same fear in criminals. And with that, Batman was born.

Batman’s origin story has become a classic at this point: Billionaire Bruce Wayne becomes determined to rid his city of evil after witnessing his parent's murder when he was a young boy. For years, Bruce trained endlessly in order to reach peak physical and mental performance and fight crime from the shadows.

4

Snake Plissken

Credit: Shai Pal

John Carpenter is known as an absolute master of horror, but that doesn’t mean he can make an incredible action film. Case in point: The amazing 1981 science-fiction film Escape from New York, centered around the roguish Snake Plissken, portrayed by Kurt Russell.

In this dystopian film, Manhattan has become a massive maximum-security prison. After the President of the United States is kidnapped, former war hero turned criminal Snake Plissken is tasked with rescuing the Commander-in-Chief, for which he will be granted his freedom.

5

Travis Bickle

Credit: the blowup

Martin Scorsese’s 1976 film Taxi Driver introduced the world to the amazing talent of Robert DeNiro, who played Travis Bickle, the main character of this film. Travis is a Vietnam war veteran troubled with insomnia, who takes a job as a late-night taxi driver to make a living.

DeNiro’s superb performance makes Travis almost seem like a real person: His troubled mind and paranoia paint him as the tortured human being he is. Throughout the film, Travis often decides to walk his own path of morality, turning his back on the society that seemingly abandoned him.

6

Dirty Harry

Credit: Nejc Soklič

It stands to reason that Clint Eastwood, a man known for his ability to play tough characters, made it twice to this list. The 1971 film Dirty Harry follows Detective Harry Callahan and the vigilante ways he employs to catch a serial killer known as Scorpio.

What sets Dirty Harry apart is how easily he chooses to cross professional boundaries to get the bad guys: This is the exact definition of what makes an antihero. Eastwood’s wonderful performance of this tough-as-nails detective truly cemented him as a pop culture icon.

7

John Rambo

Credit: Michael Waddle

Just like Travis Bickle, John Rambo is a lonely and troubled Vietnam war veteran: Rambo’s first film, based on the novel First Blood, shows him making his way to a small Washington town in order to meet a former comrade. However, after the local sheriff mistreats him and throws him in jail, Rambo becomes an unstoppable killing machine, guided by both his own moral code and his frail mental health.

After the success of First Blood in 1982, Rambo was featured in several sequels that saw him fight for freedom all around the world. Thankfully, the last two movies gave John a much-deserved home in which to grow old.

8

The Dukes of Hazzard

Credit: Michael Waddle

Who says that antiheroes can’t be fun? Cousins Bo and Luke Duke are the main characters of this 70s comedy series, which shows their adventures in a small Georgia town. Thanks to "General Lee," their loyal Dodge Charger, Bo and Luke wreak havoc in their hometown, often foiling the plans of their corrupt town sheriff.

The Dukes of Hazzard was known for its action, comedy, and exhilarating narrative: Week after week, millions of Americans turned to their TVs to see what sort of troubles the "Duke Boys" had gotten themselves into.

9

Sonny Wortzik

Credit: Etienne Martin

Al Pacino’s wonderful performance in the 1975 crime drama Dog Day Afternoon is truly something else: For many critics, this movie is Pacino’s greatest role, which is saying something considering that he is often regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

This film follows a failed 1972 robbery led by Sonny Wortzik, a bank robber who takes the entire building hostage. Pacino, who plays Wortzik, was able to superbly portray a layer of anguish and humanity to this extremely nuanced character.

10

Citizen Kane

Credit: Andres Siimon

We’ll end this article with a bit of a controversial take. Up until now, we have mostly focused on antiheroes known for their brawns, their savagery, or their fighting skills. However, a point should be made that Charles Kane, the billionaire protagonist of Orson Welles's masterpiece Citizen Kane, has many of the feats that make a good antihero.

For starters, Kane’s morality seems to be guided by one defining factor: Greed. Kane is a character who covets status, power, and wealth: The movie follows him from his early childhood through his botched political career. However, by the end of the film, Kane turns into an almost irredeemable character into someone seeking his own lost innocence, which tortures him untill his last breath.


Cool your vocab

What is a "Moonglade"? 10 uncommon summer words to impress your friends


Published on January 20, 2025


Credit: Raphaël Biscaldi

Although summer is coming to an end, we are not quite ready to let go yet. There are some pretty English words that, while part of our dictionary, are little known and rarely make their way into everyday conversations. You might have felt the cool touch of "spoondrift," enjoyed watching the "alpenglow," or felt a little "languorous," but you probably have never heard these terms. If you want to discover these and other unfamiliar summer-related words, read on!

1

Aestival

Credit: Jeremy Bishop

Let's start with a term that covers everything summer: "aestival." This word is an adjective that describes anything related to the summer season, whether it's activities, sensations, processes, or more.

This term comes from Latin. Aestas is the Latin word for "summer," and aestivus means "of summer" or "pertaining to summer." In the 16th century, this word passed into English as "aestival" and is still used today, specifically in scientific contexts, such as biology research.

A clear example of the use of this word would be "The biologist noted the aestival patterns of the migratory birds, which returned to the region during the summer months." Or, more informally, we could just say this is an aestival article.

2

Verdant

Credit: Stacey Hayden

One of the joys of summer is the scenery: the rich colors of flowers that have blossomed from spring and the rich, bright green of the summer grass and foliage. If you want to wow everyone by elegantly describing the backyard of your summer home, English dictionaries have an adjective that will come in handy.

"Verdant" is used to describe the lush, green vegetation or the vibrant freshness of plants. It comes from the Latin viridis, which means "green" or "fresh." The word entered English around the 16th century, and today, it still retains the meaning associated with the freshness of the color green. Over time, it has also taken on metaphorical meanings, describing someone who is inexperienced.

3

Spoondrift

Credit: John Hernandez

While this is a word with a very, very specific meaning, it's perfect for describing moments at the beach. So, if you find yourself by the ocean, you might get the chance to use it!

Have you ever heard of "spoondrift"? Even if you haven't heard the word before, you're probably familiar with what it describes. "Spoondrift" is a noun for the spray or fine mist of seawater that's blown off the tops of waves by the wind. Beautiful, isn't it?

The word was coined in English in the 19th century, and while it's not part of many Americans' everyday conversations, it's a nice term to incorporate into your summer vocabulary, don't you think?

4

Petrichor

Credit: Thanun Buranapong

While, in recent years, this word has made a comeback, the truth is many people still aren't familiar with the meaning of this term.

"Petrichor" not only has a beautiful sound but also describes a lovely scent you've probably experienced. We're talking about that fresh, earthy aroma that rises after a summer rain.

The term was coined relatively recently, in the 1960s, by combining the Greek words petra, meaning "stone," and ichor, the mythical fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.

This aroma specifically occurs when rain falls on dry soil or after a period of warm, dry weather. It's produced by a mix of oils and soil compounds that evaporate into the air.

5

Languorous

Credit: Vladislav Muslakov

This is the perfect adjective for summer days. When you're on vacation and the heat is just too much, it's the perfect time to relax, whether chilling in bed with the air conditioning cranked up or drifting on an inflatable raft in the pool.

"Languorous" describes that state of relaxation, typical of those lazy, hot days when doing anything feels like too much effort. It can also be associated with the lack of energy produced by the oppressive heat.

Languorous comes from the Latin languere, meaning "to be weak" or "to be languid," and entered English around the 18th century.

6

Effulgent

Credit: Elizeu Dias

Just say this word out loud, and you'll want to use it in all your conversations.

"Effulgent" is a lovely adjective that describes something radiant, something that shines brightly, whether in a literal sense or metaphorically. This term is perfect to describe the bright blue of a summer sky, the sunshine sparkle on the water, or the glowing smile of someone enjoying the season.

"Effulgent" comes from the Latin effulgere, which means "to shine forth," and entered English between the 15th and 16th centuries, retaining most of its meaning.

7

Alpenglow

Credit: Mushegh Hakobyan

This is one of those words with a very specific meaning, but it can be incredibly useful at the right moment (and it's undeniably beautiful).

Picture a warm summer evening at a hotel with a perfect view of the mountains, where you can watch the sunset right from your room. Poetic, right? That's the moment when the word "alpenglow" fits perfectly. This noun refers to that reddish light that glows over the mountainsides during sunrise or sunset. We can't help but envy anyone lucky enough to witness such a stunning scene!

This word is different from the rest on this list; it doesn't come from Latin or Greek but from the German word Alpenglühen, a combination of Alpen (referring to the Alps or mountains in general) and glühen ("to glow").

8

Moonglade

Credit: Federico Di Dio photography

When it comes to lovely summer scenery, the next word is perfect for describing the beauty of those spectacular moments.

It's late, the sunset has faded, and the reddish and pink hues have left the sky, making way for the protagonist of the night: the moon. Admired by poets and painters, the moon has fascinated humans for centuries, and the word "moonglade" may come in handy to describe our gorgeous natural satellite.

"Moonglade" emerged in the 19th century and refers specifically to the reflection of the moon's glow drawn on a water surface, whether it's a pool, a lake, or the ocean.

9

Cerulean

Credit: Hoyoun Lee

Sky and sea are a perfect summer combination, right? Especially when their colors perfectly match.

The clear, bright blue of the sky has a name: cerulean. This term describes that special shade of blue, often seen in the cloudless summer skies over the beach.

"Cerulean" comes from the Latin caeruleus, which means exactly "sky blue." While the Latin term is quite old, it only entered English around the 19th century and has its most frequent uses in the artistic field. Will you use it the next time you contemplate the sky?

10

Zephyr

Credit: Joshua Fuller

Now, let's talk about one of summer's most pleasant experiences: that gentle breeze that provides a refreshing break on those hot days. And yes, we have a special word for it.

"Zephyr" is the noun that refers specifically to that soft, gentle breeze, and it has a very interesting origin. The term comes from the Greek Zephyros, the name of the god of the west wind, known as the most favorable wind and associated with the breezes of spring and early summer.

The term entered English through Latin in the 14th century, and from the start, it was associated with its current meaning.

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quibble

/ˈkwɪb(ə)l/