Falling Down is the American Dream turned nightmare.
I’d submit that — in 1993 — the one that struck me as being the most similar was Demolition Man. Not the Sly Stallone character in comparison, tho. The Dennis Leary character was more a 1 to 1 analogue of the non-conformist pushing back on a system that deems him “not economically viable.”
Later, 1998, I’d say that The Way of the Gun (wri/dir Christopher McQuarrie) does this well. I know, I know, low scores on RT and iMDB, but this movie still works for me. Even the opening scene, which sets up a world of reprehensible characters perfectly. It’s a rock-solid neo-noir western helmed by a the writer of the Usual Suspects (and a long string of Tom Cruise projects including M:I 5,6,7&8.)
I’d also toss in Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai. A man, who has a code, undertakes to address that which he sees as unjust while moving through a world that wants to exploit him. And, American Beauty (1999) (tw: Spacey)
By the late aughts and early '10s, in the wake of the total meltdown of the global economy, Margin Call (2010, only economic violence) and Killing Them Softly (2012). “Now fucking pay me.”
From TV: The Wire and Breaking Bad fit the bill.
Office Space except without the violence.
Who wants to see Office Space with the printer scene cut out of it?
God Bless America is very very similar Watch God Bless America (2012) - Free Movies | Tubi https://share.google/wEvZreHurfPi8ro23
God Bless America was better than I expected and definitely feels in the same vein as Falling Down.
Fight club
Death Wish. The original one, with Charles Bronson. There is a newer remake, but it ain’t as good.
Anyone watching Death Wish, it also has a decent sequel. But you can stop after that one. Strongly recommend skipping the following three sequels. You’ll never get that time back.
Hmm, The Punisher (2004) and Payback (1999) come to mind.
Not to toot my own horn, but I did a YT video about revenge movies a few months ago. May be a few useful recommendations in there as well if you’re looking for anti-heroes.
Worth mentioning that Falling Down isn’t a revenge flick tho. DFens has nothing to revenge. His wife wasn’t taken from him.
While there is a layer of class / social commentary, at the core of the story DFens had a psychotic break and is really a villain who caused his own problems.
You could get similar vibes from maybe like Targets (1968)? It contrasts social issues affecting the times, against a crazy sniper at the end of his wits… and Boris Karloff.
Hobo with a shotgun comes to mind.
