Defendor Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A mentally challenged construction worker thinks he’s Batman, but with marbles and wasps instead of gadgets, and accidentally stumbles upon real crime, leading to a tragic yet hilarious misunderstanding.

🍿 Defendor: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arthur’s Double Life

Arthur Poppington, a simple-minded construction worker, lives a double life. By day, he’s a flagman, but by night, he transforms into Defendor, a self-proclaimed superhero. He patrols the city streets, armed with homemade weapons like marbles and wasps, seeking to fight crime and find his archenemy, Captain Industry.

Meeting Kat and the Quest for Captain Industry

Defendor crosses paths with Kat, a young prostitute, whom he tries to ‘save’. Kat, in turn, sees Defendor as a way to get revenge and manipulates him by claiming that a local Serbian mob boss, Radovan Kristic, is Captain Industry. Arthur takes this information to heart, determined to bring down Kristic and avenge his mother’s death.

Entanglement with Corruption

Defendor’s misguided attempts to fight crime lead him into a dangerous world of corrupt cops and organized crime. He unwittingly interferes with a police investigation and finds himself in deeper trouble than he anticipated. His earnest but inept approach to vigilantism puts him at odds with both the criminals and the authorities.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arthur Poppington aka Defendor (Woody Harrelson): A mentally challenged man who becomes a vigilante superhero, Defendor, to fight crime and avenge his mother’s death.
• Kat Debrofkowitz (Kat Dennings): A young prostitute who befriends Defendor and becomes entangled in his quest for justice.
• Chuck Dooney (Elias Koteas): A corrupt cop who is involved in organized crime and exploits Kat.
• Dr. Ellen Park (Sandra Oh): The psychiatrist evaluating Arthur’s mental state and the motivations behind his vigilantism.
• Radovan Kristic (A.C. Peterson): A Serbian mob boss mistakenly identified as Captain Industry by Defendor, making him a target.
• Paul Carter (Michael Kelly): Arthur’s friend and supervisor who unknowingly supports and protects him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Arthur Poppington: “Guns are for cowards!” – Defendor’s motto, reflecting his unique and non-violent approach to crime-fighting.
• Arthur Poppington: “When I’m Defendor, I’m not Arthur anymore. I’m a million times better than Arthur.” – Explains the transformative power of his alter ego and his desire to escape his ordinary life.
• Kat: “I’ll see you on the moon.” – Kat says goodbye to Arthur showing her newfound friendship and hope

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3.5M
• Domestic Gross: $44K
• Worldwide Gross: $44K

💥 Defendor Reviews

Personal Review

I was really surprised by ‘Defendor.’ I expected a silly superhero spoof, but it was much more. Woody Harrelson’s performance is incredible – he portrays Arthur with so much heart and vulnerability. I found myself genuinely caring about this oddball character and his quest for justice. The ending was unexpected and left me feeling a bit emotional. Definitely worth a watch if you’re looking for something different.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in unconventional superhero stories”
  • “Woody Harrelson fans”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Defendor is a refreshing take on the superhero genre, blending black comedy with poignant character study. Woody Harrelson delivers a standout performance as a deluded yet determined vigilante, but the film’s smaller scale prevents it from truly soaring. Still, it’s a worthwhile watch.
• Common Sense Media: “Though marketed as a comedy, ‘Defendor’ is more of a character study about a mentally challenged man trying to make a difference. Harrelson gives a great performance, but some scenes might be too intense for younger viewers. It is a heartwarming film at its core.

Audience Reactions

Woody Harrelson’s performance is brilliant and perfectly captures the character’s childlike innocence and determination.: Viewers loved the blend of dark humor and heartfelt drama, praising the film’s unique take on the superhero genre.

Overall Consensus: Defendor offers a refreshing and unique take on the superhero genre, blending comedy, drama, and action into a compelling character study. While some viewers may find the humor dark and the ending bittersweet, Woody Harrelson’s performance is universally praised, making it a memorable and thought-provoking film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Peter Stebbings’ screenwriting and directorial debut.”
• “The film blends genres, transitioning from comedy to crime thriller to poignant character study.”
• “The movie’s low budget required creative solutions, like using John Rowley’s grandiose score to enhance the tone.”

🖥️ How to Watch Defendor?

Defendor is available for streaming on Tubi. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers. Check your local listings for cable and satellite options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Defendor, you might like these similar films:

• Kick-Ass (2010): Another take on ordinary people becoming amateur superheroes without any special powers, but with more emphasis on action and dark humor.
• Super (2010): A darkly comedic take on the superhero genre, exploring themes of mental instability and vigilantism with a more cynical edge.
• Taxi Driver (1976): Shares themes of urban decay, vigilantism, and a protagonist struggling with mental health issues, though in a much grittier and more intense manner.
• Special (2006): A man deluded into thinking he has superpowers due to an experimental drug takes on crime fighting.

🛒 Defendor Related Products

• Defendor Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the iconic Defendor movie poster. Perfect for fans looking to showcase their love for this unique superhero film.
• The Art of Vigilantism – Defendor Inspired Guide: An interactive guide for turning ordinary everyday objects into superhero gadgets for fighting crime. Learn how to turn marbles and wasps into weapons that can be implemented today.
• Defendor Costume Kit: Dress up as Defendor! Includes a duct-tape ‘D’ logo t-shirt, eye black, and instructions on how to create your own Defendor helmet. Be a true hero!
• Defendor Limited Edition Blu-Ray: A limited edition Blu-Ray copy of Defendor, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary.

🎧 Soundtrack

Defendor features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “One Track Mind” – performed by Classified ft. Joel Plaskett

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

HILARIOUS WOODY HARRELSON BLOOPERS (Zombieland, Venom, Cheers, The Man from Toronto, Defendor)

Want to see Woody Harrelson goof around on the set of Defendor and other movies? This compilation of bloopers is hilarious and gives you a peek at the fun they had making the film!

The Most Underrated Superhero Movies Of The Last 15 Years

Ever feel like Defendor never got the love it deserved? This video makes a compelling case for why it’s one of the most underrated superhero movies of the last 15 years – I kinda agree, what do you think?

Defendor (2009) Cast Then And Now #shorts #defendor #ytshorts

Curious what the cast of Defendor looks like today? This quick video shows you then and now photos – some of them have changed a lot!

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